Open Laundry vs European Laundry: Which Is Better?

Open laundry or European laundry — which is better for your home? A dedicated laundry generally provides more storage, bench space and flexibility, while a European laundry can save valuable floor space by concealing the washer, dryer and laundry functions within cabinetry or another area of the home.

Neither option is automatically better. The right choice depends on the size of your home, household laundry volume, storage requirements, available floor space and how much bench and drying space you need.

For smaller homes and apartments, a well-planned European laundry can be an excellent use of space. For larger households, a dedicated laundry may provide the storage and working room needed for everyday use.

Here's how open and European laundries compare before you decide which layout is right for your renovation.

What Is a Dedicated Laundry?

A dedicated laundry is a separate room or defined space primarily designed for washing, drying and other household tasks.

It commonly includes:

• Washer and dryer
• Laundry sink
• Cabinetry
• Benchtop
• Storage
• Hanging or drying space

Larger laundries may also accommodate linen, cleaning equipment, pet supplies and general household storage.

What Is A European Laundry?

A European laundry is a compact laundry incorporated into another part of the home and typically concealed behind doors or cabinetry when not in use.

European laundries are commonly incorporated into:

• Hallways
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Apartments
• Utility areas

Rather than dedicating an entire room to the laundry, the aim is to provide the essential functions within a much smaller footprint.

Depending on the design, appliances may be stacked or positioned side by side.

Open Laundry vs European Laundry: Quick Comparison

In simple terms: choose based on what you're giving up as well as what you're gaining. A European laundry may save significant floor space, but a dedicated laundry may provide valuable storage, bench space and utility functions that would otherwise need to be accommodated elsewhere.

Why European Laundries Have Become Popular

As homes become more space-conscious, many homeowners are looking for ways to improve functionality without increasing the overall footprint of the home.

European laundries offer several advantages:

• Space efficiency

• Flexible design options

• Reduced room requirements

• Cleaner visual appearance when closed

For some households, this makes them an attractive alternative to a traditional laundry room.

They're particularly useful when removing a dedicated laundry allows that floor area to be used more effectively elsewhere in the home.

Advantages of a Dedicated Laundry

More Storage Opportunities

Before assuming you need extensive cabinetry, work out what actually needs to be stored in the room. Our guide to How Much Storage Does a Laundry Really Need? walks through how to calculate your storage requirements.

Greater Functionality

A dedicated laundry room can accommodate a wider range of tasks.

This may include:

• Folding clothes

• Air drying garments

• Household organisation

• Cleaning activities

The additional space often provides greater flexibility for everyday use.

Better Separation From Living Areas

Many homeowners appreciate having laundry activities separated from the main living spaces of the home.

This can help keep household tasks contained within a dedicated area.

This can be particularly valuable when appliances are running frequently or the laundry regularly contains baskets, drying clothes and household cleaning equipment.

Disadvantages of a Dedicated Laundry

Requires More Floor Space

A dedicated laundry occupies valuable space within the home.

For smaller properties, this may require compromises elsewhere in the floor plan.

Potentially Higher Renovation Costs

A larger laundry can cost more to fit out if it involves additional cabinetry, benchtops, flooring, tiling and fixtures.

• More cabinetry

• Additional benchtops

• Increased storage

• Larger rooms to fit out

These factors can influence the overall renovation budget.

For a broader breakdown of potential costs, see How Much Does a Laundry Renovation Cost in Australia?

Advantages of a European Laundry

Excellent Space Efficiency

One of the biggest strengths of a European laundry is its ability to maximise available space.

Rather than dedicating an entire room to laundry tasks, homeowners can integrate the function into existing areas.

This can be particularly beneficial in:

• Apartments

• Smaller homes

• Townhouses

Can Be Hidden From View

When closed, many European laundries virtually disappear.

This can help create a cleaner and more streamlined appearance throughout the home.

For homeowners who dislike visible appliances, this is often a significant advantage.

Suitable For Modern Living

For households that don't require extensive laundry storage or workspace, a European laundry can provide the essential functions without dedicating an entire room to them.

Disadvantages of a European Laundry

Limited Storage

Storage is often the biggest challenge.

Compared to a dedicated laundry room, a European laundry may provide fewer opportunities for:

• Tall cabinetry

• Household storage

• Bulk item storage

This makes careful planning particularly important.  Vertical storage, overhead cabinetry and careful appliance placement become particularly important when working within a smaller footprint.

Reduced Workspace

Benchtop space may also be limited depending on the design.

For households that frequently fold clothes or undertake larger laundry tasks, this can affect functionality.

Not Ideal For Every Family

While European laundries work extremely well in some homes, larger households may find a dedicated laundry more practical.

The right solution depends heavily on lifestyle and storage needs.

Don't Forget Ventilation and Moisture

A concealed laundry needs to be planned as a functional laundry space, not simply a cupboard that happens to contain appliances.

Ventilation, moisture management, appliance requirements and clearances all need to be considered as part of the design.

Before finalising cabinetry or doors, check the installation and ventilation requirements for your specific washer and dryer and discuss the room requirements with the relevant trades.

Consider What Happens When the Doors Are Open

A European laundry may look beautifully concealed when the doors are closed, but think about how it functions when you're actually using it.

Consider:

• Whether cupboard doors obstruct a hallway or walkway
• Whether appliance doors can open fully
• Access to the washing machine detergent drawer
• Where laundry baskets will sit
• Where clothes will be folded
• Where wet clothes will hang

A European laundry needs to work just as well open as it looks closed.

Which Option Is Better For Small Homes?

In smaller homes, European laundries often provide significant advantages.

They can free up valuable floor space while still delivering essential functionality.

However, homeowners should carefully consider whether storage needs can be accommodated elsewhere in the home.

Space savings should not come at the expense of practicality.

If space is tight, our Small Laundry Renovation Ideas That Actually Work includes additional ways to maximise storage, appliances and functionality in compact laundries.

Which Option Is Better For Families?

Many families prefer dedicated laundries because of the additional storage and workspace they provide.

Laundry volumes, household organisation and storage requirements often increase as families grow.

That doesn't mean European laundries cannot work for families—it simply means planning becomes even more important.

Rather than assuming a family automatically needs a dedicated room, look at laundry volume, storage requirements and where household items could be stored elsewhere. A well-designed European laundry may still work for some families, while others will genuinely benefit from the additional utility space of a dedicated laundry.

The Importance Of Storage Planning

Whether you choose an open laundry or a hidden European laundry, storage remains one of the most important considerations.

The most successful designs are often those that:

• Reduce clutter

• Improve organisation

• Support daily routines

• Maximise available space

The amount of storage required will vary significantly between households.

Work out what needs to be stored before choosing between the two layouts. If removing the dedicated laundry means vacuum cleaners, linen, cleaning supplies and baskets have nowhere else to go, the apparent space saving may simply move the storage problem elsewhere.

Consider Your Washer and Dryer Configuration

Appliance placement can significantly affect how much room the laundry requires.

Stacking the washer and dryer can reduce the width required for appliances and potentially free space for storage, while side-by-side appliances can provide easier access and useful bench space above.

Compare both options in Stacked vs Side-by-Side Washer & Dryer: Which Laundry Layout Is Best? before finalising your design.

Lifestyle Should Drive The Decision

One of the most common renovation mistakes is choosing a layout because it's trendy rather than because it suits the household.

When deciding between an open laundry and a European laundry, consider:

• Drying and hanging requirements
  
• Household size
• Storage requirements
• Daily routines
• Available space
• Long-term needs
• How much bench space you use
  

Don't choose a European laundry simply because it looks streamlined, or a dedicated laundry simply because you've always had one. Consider which option solves the functional needs of your particular household.

Which Laundry Layout Should You Choose?

A dedicated laundry may suit you better if:

• You have the floor space available
• You need substantial household storage
• You regularly use bench space for folding
• You want dedicated hanging or drying areas
• Your laundry doubles as a utility room

A European laundry may suit you better if:

• Floor space is limited
• You want to conceal the laundry when not in use
• Your storage needs can be accommodated efficiently
• You don't require extensive bench space
• Reclaiming a separate laundry room would significantly improve the rest of the home

There are also layouts between these two extremes, so don't feel you have to force your home into one particular category.

Whichever option you're considering, work through our Laundry Renovation Checklist: Where to Start before locking in the layout.

And before finalising the design, see 10 Laundry Renovation Mistakes Homeowners Make for common planning issues worth checking first.

Final Thoughts

Neither a dedicated laundry nor a European laundry is automatically better. The best option is the one that provides the functionality your household needs while making sensible use of the space available.

A dedicated laundry generally offers greater storage, bench space and flexibility. A European laundry can reclaim valuable floor area and conceal the laundry when it's not being used.

Before deciding, think beyond where the washer and dryer will fit. Consider storage, drying, bench space, ventilation, accessibility and where everyday household items will live.

The goal isn't to create the biggest laundry. It's to create the right amount of laundry for your home.

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.