When you think about laundry rooms in Sydney — from narrow terraces in Newtown, to family homes in Turramurra, to apartments in Chatswood — everyone has the same dream: a laundry that doesn’t feel like a punishment room. And believe it or not, one of the simplest ways to transform that space is by introducing well-designed, strategically placed open shelves.

Open shelving sounds simple, right? A plank on the wall, chuck some towels on it, job done.
Well… not exactly. In renovation land, bad open shelves can look like a garage sale exploded. Good open shelves? They look like luxury hotel housekeeping passed by and blessed your laundry.

So let’s break down how to integrate them like a pro.

1. Start With a Purpose: What Are You Using Every Day?

Before grabbing a drill and a Bunnings sausage sandwich, you need a mini audit.
Ask yourself:

• What items do I grab every laundry day? (Detergent, stain remover, pegs, towels)

• What needs to be hidden because it’s ugly? (Half-used products, random socks, that old detergent bottle from 2012)

• How tall are the bottles or items you plan to store?

• Do kids need access to these items? Or should they definitely not? (Ahem… bleach.)

This helps you decide the height, depth, and spacing of shelves. No point building an Instagram-perfect shelf that can’t actually fit your clothes softener.

2. Choose the Right Location: Convenience Over Decoration

In Sydney renovations, layout is king. A laundry in Surry Hills may have zero room to spare, while homes in Ryde or Pymble enjoy bigger spaces.
The golden rule: Place open shelves within arm's reach of your main working zone.

Ideal shelf positions:

• Above the benchtop — the classic setup.

• Above appliances — especially if your washer/dryer are side-by-side.

• Next to your sink — perfect for stain-treating products.

• Inside a nib wall alcove — modern, neat, super functional.

Avoid placing open shelves too high unless you enjoy climbing like you're auditioning for Ninja Warrior.

3. Shelf Depth: The Secret That Most People Ignore

Most Sydney homeowners choose shelves too shallow or too deep.
Here’s the sweet spot:

• 20–30 cm depth for detergents, jars, baskets and folded towels.

• 35–40 cm depth only if you’re storing big fluffy items (and even then, consider closed cabinetry).

Too deep = things disappear. Too shallow = everything sticks out like it's trying to escape.

4. Materials That Survive the Laundry Environment

Laundry rooms get humid, warm, sometimes steamy — especially in older Federation homes in Leichhardt, Marrickville, or Ashfield.

Choose materials that laugh in the face of moisture:

• Laminated or polyurethane-finished timber

• Moisture-resistant MDF

• Solid timber with protective coating

• Powder-coated metal shelves

• Floating brackets with anti-sag reinforcement

Avoid cheap chipboard unless you enjoy watching shelves warp like a sad banana.

5. Mix Open Shelves With Closed Cabinets

Want the perfect balance between aesthetics and sanity? Mix the two.
Open shelves show off your “nice things.” Closed cabinets hide the chaos.

A common layout we use in Sydney renovations:

• Upper section: Mix of cabinets + open shelves

• Middle section: Benchtop

• Lower section: Full cabinets for bulkier items

Open shelves shine when they have breathing room. If you cram everything on them, your laundry starts to look like aisle 7 at Woolies.

6. Use Containers and Baskets (The Real Heroes)

If open shelves are the stage, baskets and jars are the actors that make the scene look fabulous.

What works well:

• Glass jars for powders

• Pump bottles for liquids

• Woven or felt baskets for pegs, cloths and small items

• Stackable containers for space efficiency

Pro tip: Choose matching or coordinated sets so your shelves look intentionally designed, not “accidentally assembled.”

7. Lighting: The Glow-Up Trick Nobody Tells You

Want your laundry to look like a boutique spa? Add light to your shelves.

Options:

• LED strip lighting underneath

• Puck lights

• Downlights angled toward the shelving

Lighting makes even plain detergent bottles look like museum exhibits.
Yes, it’s a little extra. But hey — a little drama never hurt anyone.

8. How Many Shelves Should You Have?

For typical Sydney laundry rooms:

• Small spaces (Mascot, Zetland, Waterloo units): 1–2 shelves max

• Medium laundry rooms (Lane Cove, Willoughby, Strathfield): 2–3 shelves

• Large luxury homes (Vaucluse, Mosman, Killara): 3–4 shelves (styled like a Pinterest board)

If you're thinking, “I'll just put shelves everywhere!” — pause. Too many shelves = visual clutter + dust.

9. Keep Heavier Items Lower

Safety first, style second.
If you place heavy baskets on the top shelf, one day they will fall down and smack you in a moment you’ll remember forever.

Rule of thumb:

• Eye-level shelves: Everyday items

• Low shelves: Heavier or bulkier storage

• High shelves: Decorative or rarely used items

10. Complement with Appliances & Fixtures

Your shelving layout must work with:

• Washer/dryer orientation

• Tapware and sink placement

• Power point locations

• Ventilation systems

• Benchtop height

In older Sydney homes, plumbing may be… “creative.”
Integrating shelves while upgrading fixtures often gives you a cleaner, more functional layout.

11. Styling: Because This Is Sydney — We Like Things Looking Good

A few simple styling ideas:

• Roll towels like a day spa

• Add a small plant (real or fake — zero judgement)

• Use uniform jars/containers

• Add labels so visitors think you're incredibly organised

• Leave some space between items for that “designer” look

And yes, your laundry can look luxurious even if you’re washing school uniforms and tradie socks.

12. When to Call a Professional Renovator?

If you want:

• A layout that feels tailor-made

• Custom shelving that fits perfectly

• Safe, reinforced installation

• Moisture-proof finishes

• Better workflow and updated fixtures

• A space that increases your home's value

then bringing in an experienced renovation team makes a world of difference.

Sydney homes are all different — Victorian terraces, mid-century brick homes, townhouses, brand new apartments — and each requires a different approach. A professional renovator can assess structure, wall strength, plumbing, electrical layout, and ventilation to produce a laundry that works and looks amazing.

Final Thought

Open shelves in a laundry room aren’t just storage — they’re a little daily luxury, a simple upgrade that makes washing, folding, and stain-removing feel less like a chore and more like a well-designed routine.

If you're considering a laundry renovation in Sydney — whether you’re in Chatswood, Turramurra, Ryde, Balmain, Newtown or anywhere across the North Shore, Inner West or Eastern Suburbs — professional design can elevate your space from “functional” to fantastic.

To explore laundry, kitchen, bathroom and full-home renovation services in Sydney, visit www.mb9.com.au for more information from MB9 Australia Pty Ltd.