Laundry rooms in Sydney often suffer from awkward corners — the spaces where walls meet and storage seems impossible. Whether you’re in a compact apartment in Surry Hills, a terrace in Newtown, or a spacious family home in Turramurra, corners can be a real challenge. Yet with the right design, they can become the most functional and accessible storage areas in your laundry.
Corner storage isn’t just about filling space. It’s about improving your laundry workflow, keeping daily tasks efficient, and even making your home feel more organized and luxurious.
1. Understand the Corner Challenge
Corners in laundry rooms are tricky because:
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Traditional cabinets often leave a dead space behind doors.
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Awkward angles make accessing items inconvenient.
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Corners are often overlooked during renovations, leading to cluttered benches or floors.
Sydney homes vary greatly in layout:
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Inner-city apartments in Zetland or Mascot: Often have L-shaped or galley laundries where every corner counts.
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Terraces in Redfern or Newtown: Narrow layouts make corner access tricky but vital for storage.
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Family homes in Mosman, Ryde, or Turramurra: Larger laundries offer space for sophisticated corner solutions like rotating shelves or pull-out units.
Understanding your corner constraints is the first step toward efficient storage.
2. Choose the Right Corner Cabinet Style
Corner cabinets can transform dead space into highly functional storage. Some common solutions include:
A. Lazy Susan Cabinets
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Rotating shelves allow full access to items stored deep in the corner.
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Ideal for detergents, cleaning products, and small laundry essentials.
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Perfect for homes in Chatswood and Lane Cove, where maximizing cabinet space is crucial without compromising on workflow.
B. Pull-Out Corner Cabinets
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Also known as “blind corner pull-outs.”
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The shelves slide out and swing open, making the back of the cabinet accessible.
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Works well in compact city apartments where corners are often wasted behind standard cabinetry.
C. Diagonal Corner Cabinets
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Cabinets cut diagonally across the corner create a small but useful accessible space.
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Excellent for storing baskets, folding supplies, or frequently used products.
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Suitable for narrow laundry layouts in Surry Hills or Redfern.
3. Maximise Vertical Storage
Corners often allow higher cabinets without interfering with workflow. Tips include:
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Extend cabinets to the ceiling for items that are not frequently used, like seasonal laundry products.
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Use adjustable shelves to accommodate varying item heights.
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Combine vertical storage with open shelving for everyday essentials, making them easy to reach.
High corner cabinets are particularly useful in Mosman, Vaucluse, and Killara, where homeowners often prefer a boutique-style, well-organized laundry with plenty of storage.
4. Incorporate Drawers and Pull-Out Bins
Pull-out drawers and bins in corner cabinets turn dead space into usable, easily accessible storage:
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Shallow pull-out drawers are great for small items like clothespins, stain removers, and laundry brushes.
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Deeper pull-outs can store laundry baskets or cleaning supplies.
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In Turramurra and Ryde homes, where larger laundries are common, full-depth pull-out units make corner storage highly functional and ergonomic.
Tip: Labeling bins and containers in pull-outs improves efficiency, particularly in busy households.
5. Use Open Corner Shelving for Frequently Used Items
Open shelves can complement cabinets and provide quick access:
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Place shelves above the corner bench area for detergents, folded towels, and laundry accessories.
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Keep items visually organized using matching baskets, jars, or containers.
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In small apartments in Mascot or Waterloo, a single floating corner shelf can dramatically improve storage without making the space feel cramped.
Open corner shelving also adds visual interest, breaking up solid cabinetry and giving the laundry a modern, airy feel.
6. Work with L-Shaped Laundry Benches
Corners and benches go hand in hand:
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Integrate your corner storage under an L-shaped bench to maintain a continuous folding and sorting workspace.
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Use corner drawers or cabinets beneath the bench for heavy items like laundry baskets or cleaning equipment.
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Ensure bench clearance above corner units is at least 450mm to allow easy workspace access.
This layout works well in terrace homes in Newtown or Balmain, where space is limited but functionality is key.
7. Consider Appliance Placement in Corners
Corners can accommodate smaller appliances or utility items, but planning is key:
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Place washing machines or dryers near the corner if it allows better workflow and bench continuity.
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Ensure adequate clearance for doors and ventilation.
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In older Inner West homes, professional advice is essential to avoid plumbing conflicts with corner cabinetry.
Maximising corner storage works best when appliances, benches, and cabinets are planned together, creating a seamless and efficient workspace.
8. Use Durable Materials for Longevity
Sydney laundries face moisture, humidity, and daily wear. Corner cabinetry materials should:
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Be moisture-resistant, such as laminated MDF, polyurethane-coated timber, or powder-coated metal.
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Match benchtops and surrounding cabinetry for a cohesive look.
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Include reinforced brackets or supports for rotating shelves or pull-outs, especially in family homes in Mosman or Turramurra.
Durable materials ensure your corner storage remains functional and attractive for years.
9. Styling and Visual Tricks for Corner Spaces
Corners can feel cramped if not styled thoughtfully. Consider:
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Using light-coloured cabinets or open shelving to create a sense of space.
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Coordinating containers, baskets, or jars for a uniform, organized look.
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Adding LED strip lighting under shelves or inside cabinets to improve visibility and aesthetics.
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Leaving some negative space to avoid overcrowding.
Even small corner solutions in Redfern, Surry Hills, or Zetland can feel high-end and polished with simple styling tricks.
10. When to Call a Professional Renovator
Corners are deceptively tricky:
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Poor planning can lead to wasted space, awkward workflow, and difficult access.
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Incorrectly installed cabinets or shelves risk damage or instability.
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Professionals ensure structural integrity, optimal layout, and moisture resistance.
A renovation expert in Sydney can design custom corner solutions, blending functionality, workflow efficiency, and aesthetics. MB9 Australia Pty Ltd specialises in laundry, kitchen, bathroom, and full-home renovations, providing tailored storage solutions that suit any Sydney home, from inner-city apartments to North Shore estates.
11. Local Inspirations
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Chatswood & Lane Cove: Use corner pull-out cabinets for detergents and cleaning supplies, combined with tall vertical storage.
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Newtown & Redfern: Compact L-shaped benches with open corner shelves for folding and sorting.
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Mosman & Vaucluse: Boutique-style laundry corners with combination of lazy Susans, pull-out drawers, and decorative open shelving.
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Turramurra & Ryde: Large corner cabinets and drawers integrated with benches for maximum workflow efficiency.
Each neighborhood has its unique layout and lifestyle considerations, so a custom solution ensures maximum usability.
Conclusion
Corners no longer have to be wasted space. With the right design, they can become the most functional storage areas in your laundry room. From pull-out drawers and lazy Susans, to open shelving and vertical cabinets, smart corner solutions improve workflow, keep your laundry organized, and make daily chores easier.
Whether your home is a compact city apartment in Surry Hills, a family terrace in Newtown, or a spacious North Shore house in Mosman or Turramurra, professional corner storage design ensures your laundry is efficient, stylish, and durable.
For more information about laundry, kitchen, bathroom, and full-home renovation services in Sydney, visit www.mb9.com.au to explore what MB9 Australia Pty Ltd can do for your home.
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