Laundry Renovation Checklist: Where To Start

Planning a laundry renovation but not sure where to start? Before choosing tiles, cabinetry or tapware, start by working out how the room needs to function, what isn't working in your existing laundry and how much you realistically want to spend.

A laundry renovation may involve cabinetry, appliances, plumbing, electrical work, flooring, storage and ventilation — and many of these decisions affect each other. Making them in the right order can help reduce last-minute changes and create a much more functional finished space.

Whether you're renovating a small European laundry or a larger family laundry, use this checklist to work through the key decisions before renovation begins.

Start By Identifying What's Not Working

Before looking at design inspiration, take a step back and evaluate your existing laundry.

Ask yourself:

• Is there enough storage?

• Is bench space limited?

• Does the room feel cluttered?

• Are appliances difficult to access?

• Is the layout inefficient?

Understanding the problems you're trying to solve is often the best starting point for any renovation.

A renovation should improve functionality, not simply change the appearance of the room.

If you're not sure what features are worth including, see What Should You Include in a Modern Laundry? for practical ideas to consider.

Consider How Your Household Uses The Laundry

Every household uses their laundry differently.

Some families prioritise:

• Storage

• Folding space

• Drying areas

• Pet care facilities

• Household organisation

Others simply want a practical room that handles everyday washing efficiently.

Thinking about your daily routine can help guide many of your renovation decisions.

Establish A Realistic Budget

Before making design decisions, it's important to understand your budget.

A laundry renovation may involve:

• Cabinetry

• Benchtops

• Appliances

• Plumbing

• Electrical work

• Tiling

• Painting

Having a clear budget can help narrow your options and avoid disappointment later in the process.

It can also assist with prioritising features that matter most to your household.

Not sure what budget to allow? Our guide to How Much Does a Laundry Renovation Cost in Australia? breaks down typical budgets, major cost areas and hidden expenses worth considering.

Think About Storage Early

Storage is often one of the most important aspects of a laundry renovation.

Common storage requirements include:

• Cleaning products

• Laundry supplies

• Vacuum cleaners

• Brooms

• Linen

• Pet accessories

Planning storage early helps ensure it becomes part of the design rather than an afterthought.

The goal isn't necessarily to include as much cabinetry as possible — it's to make sure you have appropriate storage for the items you actually need to keep in the room.

Our guide to How Much Storage Does a Laundry Really Need? can help you work through what needs a home before you finalise your cabinetry.

Decide On Appliance Configuration

The washer and dryer often dictate much of the room layout.

Common options include:

• Stacked appliances

• Side-by-side appliances

• Appliances under a benchtop

Each configuration offers advantages depending on the available space and your storage requirements.

Making this decision early can simplify the remainder of the planning process.

If you're deciding between the two most common configurations, read Stacked vs Side-by-Side Washer & Dryer: Which Laundry Layout Is Best? for the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Don't Overlook Bench Space

A laundry without adequate bench space can quickly become frustrating to use.

A benchtop may be useful for:

• Folding clothes

• Sorting washing

• Storing baskets

• General household tasks

The amount of bench space required will depend on the size of your household and how the room is used.

Consider Future Needs

It's easy to focus on your current requirements.

However, renovations often last many years.

When planning your laundry, consider:

• Growing families

• Changing lifestyles

• Future storage requirements

• Long-term usability

Thinking ahead can help create a more adaptable and practical space.

Review Lighting And Power Requirements

Laundry lighting is frequently overlooked during renovations.

A well-lit laundry can make everyday tasks easier and improve the overall feel of the room.

You may also need to consider:

• Power point locations

• Appliance requirements

• Charging stations

• Additional lighting features

• Exhaust fan or ventilation requirements

Confirm appliance specifications and electrical requirements before cabinetry and services are finalised.

Planning these elements early is generally easier than making changes later.

Plan Before Choosing Finishes

Many homeowners immediately focus on:

• Tiles

• Colours

• Tapware

• Cabinet finishes

While these selections are important, they should ideally support a well-planned layout rather than drive the design.

A functional laundry will generally outperform a beautiful laundry that lacks practicality.

Don't forget to finalise your flooring early too. We've compared the pros and cons of popular laundry flooring options to help you choose.

Measure Before You Finalise the Layout

Before cabinetry is ordered or appliance positions are locked in, confirm the dimensions of the room and the products going into it.

Check:

• Washer and dryer dimensions
• Appliance door clearances
• Laundry sink dimensions
• Cabinet depths and heights
• Door and window positions
• Available wall space
• Walkway clearances
• Plumbing and electrical locations

Don't assume appliances or fixtures are a standard size. A few centimetres can make a significant difference in a compact laundry.

Think About Moisture, Flooring and Ventilation

Laundries deal with water, humidity and wet appliances, so material choices shouldn't be based on appearance alone.

Consider:

• Suitable flooring
• Ventilation
• Exhaust requirements
• Water-resistant finishes
• Drainage requirements
• Ease of cleaning

Discuss the requirements for your particular project with the relevant licensed trades rather than assuming the laundry can be treated like any other room.

Avoid Rushing The Design Stage

One of the most common renovation mistakes is rushing into construction before all decisions have been made.

Taking time to review:

• Layouts

• Storage needs

• Appliance placement

• Product selections

can help minimise costly changes later in the project.

Good planning often leads to smoother renovations and better outcomes.

Before approving the final design, check 10 Laundry Renovation Mistakes Homeowners Make for common issues worth catching before construction starts.

Why Preparation Makes Such A Difference

Many renovation issues can be traced back to inadequate planning.

The more decisions that are made before work begins, the easier it becomes to:

• Manage budgets

• Avoid delays

• Reduce stress

• Improve functionality

A little preparation upfront can save significant time and frustration later.

Working with a particularly tight room? Our 10 Small Laundry Renovation Ideas That Actually Work covers ways to maximise storage, bench space and functionality in compact laundries.

Laundry Renovation Checklist

Before renovation work begins, check that you've considered:

☐ What isn't working in your existing laundry
☐ Your household's storage requirements
☐ Your overall renovation budget
☐ Washer and dryer dimensions
☐ Stacked or side-by-side appliance layout
☐ Laundry sink size and position
☐ Bench space
☐ Tall storage for brooms and cleaning equipment
☐ Laundry baskets and hampers
☐ Hanging and drying space
☐ Plumbing locations
☐ Power points and appliance requirements
☐ Lighting
☐ Ventilation
☐ Flooring
☐ Cabinetry layout
☐ Door and window clearances
☐ Product selections
☐ Future household needs
☐ Potential hidden or unexpected costs

The more of these decisions you can resolve before construction begins, the less likely you are to be making rushed decisions once trades are already on site.

Final Thoughts

A successful laundry renovation starts long before construction begins. Establishing your budget, understanding your storage needs, confirming appliance sizes and working through the layout before choosing finishes can help you make much more informed decisions.

You don't need to have every decorative detail decided on day one, but the major functional decisions should be considered early because they often affect cabinetry, plumbing, electrical work and the overall layout.

Start with how you need the laundry to work. The finishes can follow.

About the Author

Laura Faulkner is the founder of Own Your Reno and AJM Bathroom Renovations. Drawing on experience from more than 500 completed renovations, Laura created the Own Your Reno series to help Australian homeowners plan smarter, avoid costly mistakes and renovate with confidence.