How to plan storage for both small and large laundry items? (Laundry Room | Cabinetry, Storage, Appliances & Fixtures)

Laundry rooms in Sydney are no longer just spaces for washing and drying clothes—they’re multi-functional hubs that often need to accommodate both small essentials and larger items. From detergents, stain removers, and laundry pods to bulky ironing boards, laundry baskets, and linen, planning efficient storage for all sizes is crucial.

Whether you live in a compact apartment in Surry Hills, a heritage terrace in Newtown, or a family home in Mosman or Turramurra, creating a laundry that is both functional and organised requires thoughtful design and practical storage solutions.

1. Understand Your Storage Needs

Before you design your storage system, assess the types and sizes of items you regularly store:

• Small items: Detergents, softeners, pods, clothespins, stain removers, sponges, and small cleaning tools.

• Medium items: Laundry baskets, ironing boards, small appliances like portable steamers, or foldable drying racks.

• Large items: Bulk cleaning supplies, mops, brooms, vacuum cleaners, laundry hampers, or extra linen.

In smaller apartments in Waterloo or Zetland, prioritising vertical and modular storage is essential. In larger family homes in Ryde, Lane Cove, or Mosman, you can integrate larger items into cabinets and hidden compartments without compromising floor space.

2. Design Multi-Level Cabinetry

Multi-level or tiered cabinetry allows you to separate items by size:

A. Upper Shelves

• Ideal for lightweight, infrequently used items such as bulk detergent boxes or seasonal linen.

• Adjustable shelving ensures you can alter space as storage needs change.

• Works well in high-ceiling homes in Mosman or Turramurra, where vertical space is abundant.

B. Mid-Level Cabinets

• Perfect for frequently used medium items like laundry baskets, ironing boards, or foldable drying racks.

• Keep pull-out drawers at this level for easy access to smaller items.

• In compact apartments in Redfern or Newtown, mid-level storage maximises usability without bending or reaching.

C. Lower Cabinets

• Store heavy or large items like mop buckets, laundry baskets, or vacuum cleaners.

• Pull-out trays or deep drawers reduce strain when accessing bulky items.

• In family homes in Lane Cove or Ryde, lower cabinets provide a practical base for heavy items.

3. Incorporate Pull-Out and Slide-Out Storage

Pull-out systems make both small and large items accessible:

• Pull-out drawers: Ideal for small laundry items, ensuring pods, brushes, and clothespins don’t get lost in deep cabinets.

• Slide-out baskets or trays: Perfect for storing laundry baskets or larger cleaning items that can be hidden when not in use.

• Slide-out ironing boards: Save space in narrow apartments while keeping essential tools accessible.

In tight Surry Hills or Redfern apartments, pull-out storage maximises every centimetre and keeps the laundry uncluttered.

4. Use Adjustable Shelving and Dividers

Adjustable shelves allow homeowners to customise cabinet height based on item size:

• Small items can be grouped on shallow shelves with dividers or bins.

• Medium items can occupy mid-height shelves for easy access.

• Large items may require tall shelves or no dividers to fit awkward shapes.

Dividers are particularly useful for compact inner-city apartments, keeping small items contained and organised without taking up extra space.

5. Integrate Open and Closed Storage

A combination of open and closed storage keeps laundry functional and visually appealing:

• Open shelving: Displays everyday items like detergent bottles or laundry baskets.

• Closed cabinets: Conceal hazardous chemicals, cleaning tools, and bulky items for a tidy appearance.

This combination works well in Mosman and Eastern Suburbs homes, where style and practicality are both important.

6. Consider Corner and Vertical Solutions

Corners and vertical space are often underutilised:

• Corner cabinets: Use lazy Susans or rotating shelves to make large or awkward items accessible.

• Vertical racks: Hang mops, brooms, or ironing boards to save floor space.

• Stackable containers: Store small items vertically, freeing shelf space for larger items.

In Newtown, Redfern, and Surry Hills apartments, vertical storage can double usable capacity without expanding the footprint.

7. Include Modular Bins and Containers

Bins and containers can help categorise small and large items within cabinets:

• Stackable bins store pods, brushes, and softeners.

• Larger containers can hold bulky cleaning tools or laundry accessories.

• Transparent or labelled bins make identification fast and easy.

In Lane Cove and Chatswood family homes, modular storage ensures that both small and large items have designated spaces, reducing clutter.

8. Optimise Workflow with Strategic Placement

Efficient storage considers workflow:

• Daily-use small items like detergent and pods should be at eye level or mid-cabinet.

• Medium items like laundry baskets should be at mid or lower levels for easy lifting.

• Heavy or bulky items should be stored on the floor or in lower cabinets to prevent injury.

This tiered approach is especially effective in narrow galley-style laundries found in inner-city Sydney apartments.

9. Use Durable Materials

Laundry storage must withstand moisture and daily use:

• Cabinets: Moisture-resistant MDF, laminated timber, or polyurethane-coated surfaces.

• Shelves: Solid timber, powder-coated metal, or laminate for easy cleaning.

• Bins and baskets: Plastic, wire, or rattan for durability and hygiene.

In humid Eastern Suburbs or North Shore homes, high-quality materials extend cabinet lifespan and maintain functionality.

10. Safety Considerations

Safe storage protects your household:

• Keep chemicals away from children and pets using high or locked cabinets.

• Avoid overloading shelves to prevent collapse or accidents.

• Separate incompatible products (bleach vs ammonia-based cleaners).

In family homes across Mosman, Turramurra, and Ryde, these precautions ensure multi-functional storage is both practical and secure.

11. Styling Your Storage

Even practical storage can be visually appealing:

• Coordinate bins, baskets, and cabinetry for a cohesive look.

• Use labels, colour-coding, or transparent containers for small items.

• Incorporate subtle lighting to enhance visibility and ambience.

Stylish organisation works particularly well in Mosman, Vaucluse, and Eastern Suburbs homes, combining practicality with elegance.

12. When to Call a Professional Renovator

Creating storage for both small and large items is deceptively complex:

• Poor planning can result in clutter, inaccessible cabinets, or wasted space.

• Professionals can design custom cabinetry, pull-out systems, vertical storage, and modular solutions tailored to your space.

• MB9 Australia Pty Ltd specialises in laundry, kitchen, bathroom, and full-home renovations, delivering practical and stylish storage solutions for Sydney homes.

A professional ensures your laundry storage is efficient, flexible, safe, and visually appealing.

13. Local Inspiration

• Chatswood & Lane Cove: Tall multi-tiered cabinets with adjustable shelves for family storage.

• Newtown & Redfern: Compact apartments using wall-mounted racks, pull-out drawers, and foldable benches for small and medium items.

• Mosman & Vaucluse: Luxury storage combining open shelves, concealed cabinets, and decorative containers for both small and large items.

• Turramurra & Ryde: Spacious multi-purpose laundries with corner lazy Susans, modular units, and vertical storage to accommodate everything from detergent pods to laundry hampers.

Tailoring storage solutions to your neighborhood and lifestyle ensures maximum efficiency, organisation, and aesthetic appeal.

Conclusion

Planning storage for both small and large laundry items transforms a Sydney laundry room into a highly functional, organised, and visually appealing space. By combining tiered cabinetry, pull-out drawers, adjustable shelves, modular bins, and vertical solutions, homeowners can make the most of limited space while maintaining workflow efficiency.

Whether your home is a compact Surry Hills apartment, a Newtown terrace, or a family home in Mosman or Turramurra, professional planning ensures your laundry storage works efficiently for both small essentials and bulky items.

For more information about laundry, kitchen, bathroom, and full-home renovation services in Sydney, visit www.mb9.com.au to explore how MB9 Australia Pty Ltd can transform your home.