Small Laundry Ideas: Making a Compact Laundry Work

By the Baroco team, Mount Waverley · Updated October 2026

01Start with a one-wall Euro laundry plan

In a compact Melbourne home, the most workable small laundry is usually a Euro laundry: a cupboard or alcove behind closed doors. The key is to keep all plumbing, drainage and power on one wall or one short return. That reduces the distance pipes need to run and keeps the floor clear.

Before you choose finishes, mark out where the washing machine, dryer, trough and any storage will sit. Allow at least 600mm of standing room in front of machines so you can load and unload without twisting. If you're combining a laundry with a hallway or kitchen, consider bi-fold or sliding doors that don't swing into the space.

• Keep the washing machine, dryer and trough on the same wall to reduce pipe runs and cost.
• Allow 600mm standing room in front of machines for comfortable loading.
• Use bi-fold or sliding doors if the laundry opens into a hallway.

02Stack the washing machine and dryer

Stacking a front-loading washer and a heat-pump or condenser dryer is the single biggest space saver in a small laundry. Use a purpose-made stacking kit or a fixed shelf rated for the weight, not a freestanding bracket. The washing machine must sit at the bottom because of its weight and water load.

If you have the height, raise the dryer to a comfortable reach and leave the washer at floor level. Check the total height against your room before buying, especially in older Melbourne flats with lower ceilings. Vented dryers need ducting to outside, so a condenser or heat-pump dryer is usually easier to fit in a Euro laundry.

• Use a stacking kit or fixed shelf rated for the combined weight.
• Check total height before buying; older flats often have lower ceilings.
• Choose a condenser or heat-pump dryer to avoid ducting through the room.

03Choose a trough that does more than one job

A compact trough can handle hand-washing, soaking and filling buckets without eating the whole room. Look for a wall-hung or underbench trough around 400–500mm wide with a built-in drainboard or a flat rim you can wipe down. A deep bowl is more useful than a wide, shallow one.

If space is very tight, a single bowl with a pull-out or swivel spout works better than a mixer that sticks out into the room. Some Melbourne homeowners skip the trough entirely and use a deep sink in the adjoining kitchen, but that is not ideal for soiled laundry or mopping. If you keep a trough, have the plumber set the trap and waste carefully so the cabinet below stays usable.

• Wall-hung troughs free up floor space for a basket or bin.
• A pull-out spout is easier to fill buckets without splashing.
• Set the waste at the back so you can store items under the trough.

04Build in hanging and airing without a clothesline

In a small laundry, a wall-fixed drying rack or a retractable clothesline above the trough is practical for delicates and small loads. Install it high enough to keep clothes away from the tap and trough, but low enough to reach without a step. If you have a stacked pair, a slim hanging rail on the inside of the laundry door works for shirts on hangers.

For larger loads, many Melbourne homes rely on a balcony or courtyard, but a heated towel rail or a small wall-mounted airer can finish off damp items in winter. Whatever you choose, make sure air can move around it. A small exhaust fan running after you finish inside hanging helps prevent musty smells.

• Install a retractable line above the trough, not over power points.
• Hang shirts on the inside of the laundry door to keep them crease-free.
• Run the exhaust fan for 15 minutes after hanging to remove moisture.

05Use narrow, high and shallow storage

Closed storage in a compact laundry should be shallow, no deeper than 300–350mm, so it doesn't crowd the doorway. Overhead cabinets above the machines can hold detergents, stain removers and cleaning cloths. Open shelves look lighter but collect dust and lint; closed doors stay neater.

A tall pull-out pantry-style cabinet between the wall and the trough can store iron, pegs, buckets and laundry baskets upright. If you have a front-loading washer, a low drawer or a 150mm plinth drawer can hold washing powder and small items. Keep nothing heavy above shoulder height.

• Overhead cabinets to 300mm deep hold detergents and cloths.
• A plinth drawer under the washer uses dead space.
• A tall pull-out cabinet for iron and pegs is easier than deep shelves.

06Ventilation and waterproofing keep a small laundry healthy

A compact laundry with a dryer or indoor hanging needs mechanical ventilation. A ceiling or wall exhaust fan that runs on a timer or humidistat is the minimum. It should vent to outside, not into the roof space. If you have a door, leave a 10–15mm gap at the bottom or install a louvred door to let make-up air in.

Waterproofing in a laundry isn't optional. The floor and any external walls likely need waterproofing to the relevant Australian Standard (AS 3740), and the work should be done by a licensed waterproofer before tiling. A floor waste, or at least a stop tap and a leak sensor under the trough, makes a flood less damaging. Have the plumber fit a stainless steel braided hose on the washing machine and turn off taps when you go away.

If you want to compare compact troughs, stackable machines and storage options in person, visit Baroco Interior Innovations at 21/105-111 Ricketts Road, Mount Waverley. Call 0426 520 859 before you come to check the showroom is open.