Should I include cabinets for both folded and hanging items? (Laundry Room | Cabinetry, Storage, Appliances & Fixtures)

When renovating a laundry room, a common question arises: “Should I include cabinets for both folded and hanging items?” The short answer is yes—especially if your goal is a functional, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing laundry space.

From compact apartments in Zetland or Redfern to family homes in Mosman, Lane Cove, or Turramurra, incorporating cabinets for folded and hanging storage can transform your laundry into a multi-purpose, organised, and visually cohesive space. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits, design strategies, material considerations, and local insights to help you make an informed decision.

1. Understanding Cabinets for Folded and Hanging Items

Laundry cabinets can be custom-designed to accommodate a variety of storage needs:

• Folded items: Towels, sheets, sweaters, and delicate laundry. Typically stored on shelves, pull-out drawers, or cubbies.

• Hanging items: Shirts, dresses, jackets, and coats that require minimal wrinkling. Typically stored on rods or retractable hanging systems.

Combining both options in a single laundry cabinet maximises space efficiency and supports smooth laundry workflows.

2. Key Benefits of Combined Cabinets

A. Maximises Storage Efficiency

• In smaller apartments in Zetland, Redfern, or Surry Hills, vertical space is precious. Combining folded and hanging storage ensures no wasted space above or beside the washer and dryer.

• In family homes in Mosman or Lane Cove, larger cabinets can store seasonal clothing, linens, and uniforms all in one location.

B. Improves Workflow and Convenience

• Folded items can go directly from washer/dryer to shelving, while hanging items can be immediately stored to prevent wrinkles.

• This reduces clutter and multiple handling steps, particularly useful for busy Sydney households with children.

C. Enhances Aesthetic Appeal

• Matching cabinetry for folded and hanging storage maintains a clean, unified look, especially in modern apartments and terrace homes.

• Concealed storage keeps detergents, spray bottles, and ironing tools out of sight, creating a tidy, visually pleasing environment.

D. Adapts to Multi-Functional Laundry Rooms

• Modern Sydney homes increasingly use laundry rooms for pet cleaning, ironing, and folding, so cabinets that accommodate both folded and hanging items are multi-purpose by design.

3. Design Considerations

A. Cabinet Height and Depth

• Folded storage: Typically requires 30–40cm depth for folded towels or linens.

• Hanging storage: Depth needs 45–60cm to allow clothes to hang freely without touching cabinet doors.

• Vertical space should be optimised for the height of household members to reduce strain and increase accessibility.

B. Placement Strategy

• Consider placing hanging rods above washer/dryer or alongside folded shelving for maximum efficiency.

• In compact apartments like Zetland and Redfern, a single multi-tier cabinet can incorporate both functions without crowding the space.

• In larger family homes, you can install separate zones for folded items, hanging clothes, and ironing stations, as seen in homes across Mosman, Lane Cove, and Turramurra.

C. Adjustable Shelving

• Adjustable shelves allow flexibility to store seasonal items, bedding, or bulky towels.

• Pull-out drawers or sliding shelves improve access to folded items stored at the back, which is particularly helpful in high-density Sydney terraces.

D. Hanging Options

• Fixed rods: Simple and cost-effective.

• Retractable rods: Ideal for small spaces in apartments where you may need temporary hanging space.

• Integrated hooks or pegs: Useful for delicate items like scarves or small garments.

4. Material Choices for Longevity

Laundry rooms are high-moisture environments, so materials must resist warping, swelling, and staining:

• Moisture-resistant MDF or plywood: Cost-effective and suitable for most Sydney apartments.

• High-pressure laminates (HPL): Durable, easy to clean, and moisture-resistant.

• PU-painted finishes: Premium choice for high-end homes in North Shore or Vaucluse, offering a seamless, waterproof surface.

• Hardware: Stainless steel handles, soft-close hinges, and corrosion-resistant rods extend longevity.

Tip: Avoid untreated particleboard, which may swell in humid laundry conditions common in coastal suburbs like Manly or Bondi.

5. Workflow and Ergonomics

• Place folded storage at waist or shoulder height to minimise bending.

• Hanging rods should allow long garments to hang without touching the floor.

• In multi-family homes, consider split zones for individual family members, reducing conflicts and keeping the laundry organised.

• Compact apartments may benefit from vertical stack configurations, with folded shelves below and hanging rods above, maximising efficiency in a small footprint.

6. Local Trends in Sydney Laundry Renovations

• Compact apartments (Zetland, Redfern, Surry Hills): Hybrid cabinets with adjustable shelves and retractable hanging rods for space efficiency.

• Terrace homes (Newtown, Waterloo): Combination units above washer/dryer plus adjacent folding benches for workflow optimisation.

• Family homes (Mosman, Lane Cove, Turramurra): Larger multi-zone cabinetry, integrating folded storage, hanging space, and ironing boards.

• Luxury homes (North Shore, Vaucluse): High-end materials, soft-close hinges, hidden handles, LED lighting inside cabinets, and multi-functional laundry zones.

These trends highlight that incorporating both folded and hanging storage is not just practical but increasingly expected in modern Sydney renovations.

7. Organisational Tips

• Uniform containers and baskets: Keep smaller items organised inside the cabinets.

• Labelled shelves and drawers: Ensure quick retrieval and return of clothing, detergents, and cleaning tools.

• Seasonal rotation: Store off-season garments on higher shelves to maximise accessibility for frequently used items.

• Colour coordination and decorative bins: Elevate aesthetics, especially in high-visibility laundry areas in apartments and luxury homes.

8. Professional Installation Matters

• Correct installation ensures cabinet alignment, secure hanging rods, and weight distribution.

• Professional installers can integrate cabinets seamlessly with appliances, ensuring doors don’t obstruct washer/dryer operation.

• MB9 Australia Pty Ltd provides custom-designed solutions, optimising space, durability, workflow, and aesthetics for Sydney homes.

Conclusion

Including cabinets for both folded and hanging items is a smart, versatile solution for Sydney laundry renovations. It improves storage efficiency, workflow, and aesthetics, whether in compact apartments in Zetland or Redfern or family homes in Mosman, Lane Cove, or Turramurra. By carefully considering cabinet dimensions, placement, materials, ergonomics, and workflow, you can create a laundry space that is functional, organised, and visually cohesive.

For more information about laundry, kitchen, bathroom, and house renovation services in Sydney, visit www.mb9.com.au to see how MB9 Australia Pty Ltd can help you design a modern, multi-functional, and highly efficient laundry space.