Although your laundry room may not be the most glamorous part of your home, creating a functional and stylish space can make everyday chores more enjoyable. Whether you’re dealing with a small laundry or want to refresh the space, a renovation doesn’t need to be expensive. You can give your laundry a new look without overspending with creative solutions and smart budgeting.
This guide will provide cost-effective strategies for renovating your laundry room, covering everything from storage to energy efficiency.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Renovating your laundry room on a budget is achievable with smart planning and cost-effective strategies. Key tips include:
- Keeping plumbing in place.
- Maximising storage with flat-pack cabinets or shelves.
- Designing around your appliances.
Consider fold-away solutions for small spaces, upgrade lighting to energy-efficient options, and add decorative touches like paint, artwork, or rugs. Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and consulting professionals for specialised work can save money in the long term. Focus on affordable updates like replacing benchtops, retrofitting cabinets, and adding plants for a fresh, functional space.
1. Leave The Plumbing Where It Is
One of the best ways to keep renovation costs low is to avoid moving plumbing. Reconfiguring plumbing can quickly drive up both costs and project timelines.Â
Instead, work with the existing layout of your washing machine and dryer. If you need clarification on whether changes are necessary, consult a plumber to explore options that could save you time and money.
Key Tip: Plan your layout around the existing plumbing to avoid unnecessary expenses.
2. Maximise Storage
Storage is vital to any laundry renovation and doesn’t have to break the bank. Consider installing flat-pack cabinets, floating shelves, or baskets to organise laundry essentials like detergents, fabric softeners, and cleaning products.
- Affordable Options: Look for ready-to-assemble cabinets or floating shelves from local retailers.
- Decorative Storage: Fabric or woven baskets add style while hiding clutter.
Maximising storage improves functionality and creates a tidy, organised, pleasant space.
3. Design Around Your Appliances
Washing machines and dryers take up significant space in any laundry room. Rather than moving them, design the room around these appliances.Â
You can create a benchtop above them for front-loading machines, providing extra folding space. If you have a top loader, consider a hinged benchtop that can be lifted when needed.
Tetris Approach: Consider your appliances as building blocks, and add cabinets or storage solutions around them to maximise space.
4. Fold-Away Solutions For Tight Spaces
If space is at a premium, consider fold-away or retractable solutions. Items like fold-down ironing boards, wall-mounted drying racks, and retractable clotheslines are practical and can be hidden when unused.
Compact Design: These solutions reduce clutter and make the most of small laundry spaces.
5. Refresh With Paint And Decorations
A new coat of paint can transform your laundry room. Opt for light, neutral colours to make the space feel larger and brighter. Add decorative elements like wall art or a new light fixture to enhance the room’s look.
Low-Cost Transformation: Paint and small décor updates can refresh your laundry without requiring major renovations.
6. Upgrade To Energy-Efficient Appliances
While purchasing new appliances may seem like a large expense, upgrading to energy-efficient models can save you money in the long run. Newer washing machines and dryers are designed to use less water and electricity, reducing utility bills over time.
Cost-Saving Tip: If your current appliances are outdated, upgrading them could help the renovation pay for itself through energy savings.
7. Know When To Call In The Pros
DIY can save money, but some tasks are best left to professionals. Jobs involving plumbing, gas, or electrical work should always be handled by licensed tradespeople. Attempting these tasks yourself could lead to costly mistakes. Get at least three quotes for each job to find the best deal.
Pro Advice: Don’t be afraid to call in help when needed—it can prevent costly repairs later.
8. Create A Renovation Plan
Before beginning your renovation, make sure you have a clear plan. Consider how long the project will take and how it will impact your laundry routine. Will you need to use a laundromat temporarily, or can you set up a washing station elsewhere in the house?
- Timeline: Set a realistic schedule for the renovation, factoring in potential delays.
- Budget Cushion: Always include a buffer for unexpected costs.
9. Incorporate Stylish, Functional Details
Think about small details that can make a big impact. For example, a new benchtop can provide additional folding space while enhancing the room’s overall aesthetic.Â
Affordable materials like laminate can mimic the look of expensive stone without the high price tag.
Stylish Surfaces: Choose benchtop materials that are water-resistant and durable, ensuring they withstand daily use.
10. Enhance Cabinets Rather Than Replacing Them
Instead of replacing old cabinets, retrofit them with affordable storage solutions. Wire hampers, pull-out shelves, and additional storage racks can give your existing cabinets a new lease on life.
Affordable Storage Solutions: Add internal organisers to maximise cabinet space, reducing the need for costly replacements.
11. Stack Or Assemble Your Appliances
Consider stacking your washer and dryer if your laundry is tight on space. This frees up floor space, allowing you to install more storage or add a countertop for folding clothes.
Compact Setup: Stacking appliances can significantly increase usable space in small laundry rooms.
12. Add Personal Touches Like Art Or Plants
A personal touch can benefit even a functional space like a laundry room. Hang some inexpensive art, add a stylish rug, or place a few plants to make the room more inviting.
Inexpensive Style: These small details can transform a practical space into an enjoyable one.
13. Upgrade Your Lighting
Good lighting is essential in a laundry room, but harsh fluorescent lights are still acceptable. Instead, consider installing energy-efficient LED downlights or a stylish pendant light. Warmer lighting can create a more pleasant atmosphere, making the room more welcoming.
Energy-Saving Tip: Opt for energy-efficient lights to lower your electricity bills.
14. Install A New Sink
A deep, easy-to-maintain sink can be a valuable addition to your laundry room, especially if you frequently hand-wash clothes. Replacing the sink doesn’t have to be expensive—look for a durable option that can withstand the wear and tear of laundry chemicals.
Durable Design: Choose a functional and durable sink that lasts for years.
15. Add A Rug For Warmth And Comfort
Laundries often have cold, hard floors that can make the space feel sterile. A simple rug or runner can add warmth and texture, making the room more comfortable, especially in colder months.
Budget-Friendly Cosiness: Affordable rugs can quickly transform the look and feel of your laundry room.
16. Bring In Some Greenery
Houseplants are a great way to freshen up the room, especially in humid areas like the laundry. Choose low-maintenance plants that thrive in these conditions, adding a touch of nature to the space.
Natural Touch: Even one or two plants can significantly change the room’s atmosphere.
17. Plan For Efficiency And Timeliness
Proper scheduling is crucial for a successful renovation. Ensure tradespeople are available at the right times and plan the sequence of tasks to avoid delays. For example, before plastering or tiling, you must finish any plumbing or electrical work.
Efficiency Tip: Proper planning ensures that each stage of the renovation runs smoothly.
Conclusion
Renovating a laundry room can be simple and easy. You can create a functional and stylish laundry space without overspending by following these cost-effective strategies—such as keeping the plumbing intact, maximising storage, and incorporating simple design updates.Â
With thoughtful planning and creativity, your laundry room can be transformed into a space that makes everyday chores more enjoyable.
FAQs About Laundry Renovation
How Long Does a Laundry Renovation Take?
Around 4 to 8 weeks
The material, finishing, and laundry style you need can decide the length of your laundry renovation project. On average, it takes around 4 to 8 weeks for a complete laundry renovation involving a stone benchtop.
Do Laundry Walls Need to be Tiled?
Laundry’s are considered wet spaces, so tiles are generally the go! There are some other alternatives but let’s face it…… We love TILES! Flooring, splashbacks, skirting and walls – your only limitation when it comes to tiles in this space is your imagination (and budget!).
How Do You Build A Perfect Laundry Room?
Take full advantage of the windows in the room for natural lighting. Having a good overhead light is important too. A nice small chandelier fixture in a laundry room will give the space an elegant and stylish look. Lighting under the countertops is another way of adding functionality and personality to the room.
How Do You Support A Benchtop Over A Washing Machine?
Use L-brackets along the top of the gable with one side screwed into the underside of the countertop (along the middle horizontal piece) and the other into the gable. Once the countertop has been attached to the cleat and gable, slide the washer and dryer back in place.
Is A Laundry Room In The Basement A Good Idea?
One of the best things about locating the laundry room in the basement is that it offers you more freedom with the layout. Upstairs laundry rooms’ layouts are dictated by the layout of other upstairs rooms and usually are assigned a lower priority by designers and architects when it comes to spacing.
