Should I include laundry drawers for small accessories? (Laundry Room | Cabinetry, Storage, Appliances & Fixtures)

When renovating a laundry room, one of the most overlooked questions homeowners ask is:
“Should I include drawers for small accessories like pegs, lint bags, sewing kits, stain removers, replacement buttons, dryer balls, or washing machine tabs?”

If you’ve ever spent five minutes searching through a messy shelf looking for one tiny bottle of stain remover—usually right before school drop-off—you already know the answer. For most Sydney households, dedicated laundry drawers for small items are not just a ‘nice-to-have’, they’re a massive quality-of-life upgrade.

From compact apartments in Zetland, Chatswood and Wolli Creek, to larger family homes in Turramurra, Mosman, Lane Cove and the Northern Beaches, the way Sydney homeowners use their laundry space is changing fast. Smart storage has become the secret ingredient that keeps a laundry functional, tidy, and pleasant to use.

Let’s break down why laundry drawers for small accessories matter, and how to design them properly.

1. Why Laundry Drawers Are Essential in Modern Sydney Homes

A. Small Items Cause Big Mess

Laundry rooms are filled with tiny objects that don’t sit neatly on open shelves. When left loose, they:

• get knocked over

• fall behind the washer

• clutter benchtops

• mix with unrelated items

• slow down laundry flow

Sydney households—especially busy families in suburbs like Epping, Ryde, Pymble and Wahroonga—often tell us the laundry becomes their “chaos cupboard”. Adding dedicated drawers prevents exactly that.

B. Drawers Keep the Laundry Room Looking Clean and Minimal

Modern Sydney renovations lean heavily toward minimalism:

• clean lines

• hidden clutter

• soft-close cabinetry

• uninterrupted benchtops

Drawers keep all those tiny items out of sight but within reach, which immediately makes even a small laundry in Waterloo or Redfern feel twice as tidy.

C. They Improve Workflow

If you’ve got kids, pets, sports uniforms, delicate garments or stain-prone outfits, you know laundry is a multi-step job, not just wash-and-dry.

Having drawers for:

• stain treatments

• clothing repair kits

• dryer sheets or balls

• laundry bags

• fabric softener pods

• zip bags for delicate wash

• pet hair rollers

• garment brushes

…makes the whole process smoother and faster.

2. What Exactly Should Laundry Drawers Store?

Many homeowners think laundry drawers are only for pegs, but in reality, they can be used for a huge range of small accessories that support laundry tasks.

Common items stored in laundry drawers include:

• Lint rollers (especially for pet owners in suburbs like St Ives, Killara and Cremorne)

• Dryer balls

• Laundry tablets or pods

• Stain-removal pens and sprays

• Sewing repair kits

• Replacement buttons

• Fabric fresheners

• Clothesline pegs

• Wash bags for delicates

• Garment care instructions

• Tape measures

• Small portable steamers

These often get mixed into kitchen drawers or kept in random storage boxes—until someone needs them urgently. Dedicated laundry drawers stop that problem entirely.

3. Drawer Types and Sizes You Should Consider

A. Shallow Top Drawers

Perfect for frequently used items.
Think: stain removers, pods, small brushes, garment tools.

B. Medium Drawers

Great for items like:

• folded wash bags

• dryer balls

• steamers

• lint rollers

C. Deep Drawers

Useful for bulkier accessories like:

• handheld vacuums

• portable irons or steamers

• bottles and canisters

In homes across Balmain, Five Dock, Leichhardt or Drummoyne, these deeper drawers help compensate for limited benchtop storage.

4. Location Matters: Where Should Laundry Drawers Go?

A. Under the Laundry Benchtop

This is the most practical location because it allows easy access to accessories right next to the washer and dryer.

B. Adjacent to Sorting or Folding Areas

This setup works beautifully in bigger laundry spaces found in Mosman, Castlecrag, Turramurra or Lindfield, where the laundry acts more as a multi-purpose utility room.

C. In Tall Cabinet Towers

Vertical drawer stacks help maximise storage in narrower laundry rooms, a common layout in terrace homes in Newtown, Glebe or Paddington.

5. Materials and Finishes That Work Best in Sydney Laundries

Laundry rooms deal with moisture, steam and temperature changes. Your drawers need materials that can handle Sydney’s mix of coastal humidity (looking at you, Coogee, Bondi and Manly) and seasonal moisture.

Recommended materials:

• Moisture-resistant MR MDF

• Plywood with laminate fluting

• Thermolaminate and HPL (High Pressure Laminate)

• Polyurethane (PU) finish for premium laundries

Drawer hardware should include:

• soft-close runners

• anti-slip drawer mats

• concealed handles or finger-pull profiles for a modern look

These not only look sleek, but also reduce noise—perfect for homes where the laundry sits close to the main living area.

6. Local Trends in Sydney Laundry Renovations

Consumer preferences shift based on lifestyle, housing type, and location. Here’s what’s trending locally:

A. Inner-city suburbs (Redfern, Surry Hills, Pyrmont)

• Shallow drawers with high organisation

• Multi-purpose cabinetry

• Minimalist finishes

B. North Shore & Northern Beaches (Mosman, Manly, Seaforth)

• Large drawer stacks

• Built-in hampers

• Dedicated drying drawers with ventilation panels

C. Western Sydney (Parramatta, Burwood, Strathfield)

• Classic laundry layouts with multiple shallow drawers

• Family-focused organisation solutions

D. Eastern Suburbs (Bondi, Vaucluse, Rose Bay)

• Premium PU cabinetry

• Accessory drawers with integrated power points

• Coastal moisture-proof materials

7. Why Small Accessory Drawers Improve Long-Term Maintenance

A. They Reduce Clutter

Drawers help maintain order long after the renovation excitement fades.

B. They Prevent Damage

Items like stain removers and chemical sprays stored in drawers are less likely to leak onto benchtops or flooring.

C. They Protect Delicate Accessories

Delicate wash bags, lint brushes, or garment care items stay clean and undamaged.

D. They Make Tidying Easier

A tidy laundry means the whole home feels more organised—especially in open-plan homes common in modern Sydney builds.

Final Verdict: Are Laundry Drawers Worth It?

Absolutely.
They improve organisation, appearance, workflow and long-term usability—whether you’re living in a small Zetland apartment or a large home in Pymble or Mosman.

If you’re renovating your laundry, adding drawers for small accessories is one of the smartest, most functional upgrades you can make.

Looking to Renovate?

To learn more about kitchen, bathroom, laundry and full home renovation services in Sydney, visit www.mb9.com.au and discover how MB9 Australia Pty Ltd can help you build a beautifully organised and functional home.