Should I include vertical dividers for drying racks and boards? (Laundry Room | Cabinetry, Storage, Appliances & Fixtures)

When Sydney homeowners plan a laundry renovation—whether in Chatswood, North Sydney, Pymble, Ashfield, or down in the Inner West—the conversation always comes back to one magic word: storage. And not just “a bit of space here and there,” but intelligent storage that makes laundry day feel less like a chore and more like a system that works for you.

One of the most commonly debated features is:
Should I include vertical dividers for drying racks, ironing boards, and cleaning boards?
Short answer? If you’ve got the space and you want to avoid the famous “Sydney cupboard avalanche”—yes, absolutely.

Let’s break it down in a way that helps you decide confidently.

Why Vertical Dividers Are a Game-Changer in Sydney Laundry Designs

Laundry rooms in Sydney are often compact. In many suburbs like Newtown, Enmore, and Paddington, many houses were built long before modern appliances and storage planning were a thing. That means homeowners today are constantly fighting for space—and smart cabinetry is the best weapon you’ve got.

Vertical dividers allow you to store tall, awkward items upright, so they don’t end up blocking the broom cupboard or leaning awkwardly behind the washing machine like a misbehaving teenager. Think ironing boards, foldable drying racks, mop heads, benchtop protectors, handheld steamers—basically, anything that would normally be tossed into the “miscellaneous laundry black hole.”

The benefits stack up quickly:

• Cleaner, safer storage: No more boards falling onto your toes when you open a cupboard.

• Faster access: Grab-and-go convenience, especially useful for busy families in areas like Ryde, Epping, and Baulkham Hills.

• Better organisation: Everything has a dedicated home.

• Maximised use of narrow spaces: Dividers use every millimetre efficiently.

• Enhanced property appeal: Buyers love well-designed laundry cabinetry—especially in the competitive Sydney property market.

Do You Actually Have Room for Vertical Dividers? (Spoiler: You Probably Do)

Many homeowners think dividers require a massive laundry. Not true. In fact, they’re often installed inside slim, unused voids as small as 200–300mm wide—spaces that are otherwise nearly useless.

Where dividers fit perfectly:

• Beside a tall broom cabinet

• Next to stacked washer/dryer units

• Inside a tall linen cupboard

• Inside a floor-to-ceiling laundry cabinet

• Within a custom-made kitchen-laundry combo (common in apartments from Zetland, Mascot, Waterloo and surrounding high-density suburbs)

In homes where laundries are integrated into kitchens—common in CBD apartments or units in Chatswood and St Leonards—vertical dividers offer a neat way to hide “laundry-ish” things without compromising your kitchen’s visual style.

What Can You Store Inside Vertical Dividers?

Depending on the layout, dividers can be custom-built to hold:

• Foldable drying racks

• Pull-out wall-mounted airers

• Ironing boards (foldable or wall-mounted)

• Chopping boards or benchtop cover boards

• Specialty laundry tools

• Mop and broom heads

• Trays, trays, and more trays (Sydney families love these!)

In high-end renovations across Mosman, Roseville, and Turramurra, dividers are often combined with pull-out baskets, internal lighting, or even built-in power outlets for steam stations. You can keep it simple or go full luxury—dividers work for every budget.

Are Vertical Dividers Better Than Tall Cabinet Storage?

This is where things get interesting.

Vertical Dividers:

• Best for slim items

• Give everything its own “parking bay”

• Avoid leaning, slipping, or clutter build-up

• Keep awkward items accessible

Full Tall Cabinets:

• Great for large cleaning tools

• Store bulk items (detergent boxes, baskets)

• Fit appliances like vacuums

The trick is to avoid choosing one or the other. In most Sydney laundry renovations, the most efficient design is a tall cabinet + dividers combo, giving you both volume storage and organised sections.

The Real-Life Difference in a Sydney Home

Here’s the scenario: You’ve just installed a brand-new laundry in your house in Lane Cove or Willoughby. You love it. Until…
You open the cupboard and your drying rack comes sliding out like it’s competing in the Olympics.

Without vertical dividers:

• Things slide, crash, and topple.

• Items hide behind each other.

• Accessible spaces get wasted.

• The interior becomes cluttered in months.

With vertical dividers:

• Everything stands upright.

• Nothing touches or scratches the appliance beside it.

• You can grab the ironing board without a battle.

• The laundry stays organised for years—not days.

And yes… your future self will literally thank you.

What Material Should You Use for Vertical Dividers?

Sydney homes deal with humidity—thanks to seaside suburbs like Coogee, Bondi, Manly, and the ever-moist Blue Mountains foothill areas.

So the materials matter.

Best choices:

• Moisture-resistant board (MR MDF or MR particle board)

• Polyurethane-painted MDF

• Laminate/HPL dividers

• Plywood (if styled to match timber-look cabinetry)

• Aluminium framing for premium builds

Combining this with soft-close hinges and moisture-resistant adhesives ensures longevity even in laundries exposed to steam, heat, and occasional splashes.

Should You Include Adjustable or Fixed Dividers?

Adjustable Dividers

Great for homeowners who:

• Expect their tool collection to change

• Have many different items

• Want flexibility

Fixed Dividers

Perfect for:

• Clean, minimalist cabinetry

• Tight spaces where items must stay in position

• Homes needing a sturdy structure

• Custom-sized ironing boards and racks

In Sydney renovations, a mix of fixed base dividers and adjustable inserts is the most popular solution.

Is It Worth the Investment?

Let’s talk dollars—because renovations in Sydney aren’t exactly pocket change.

Vertical dividers are one of the highest-value, lowest-cost additions you can include during a laundry renovation. They usually add a very small amount to the cabinetry budget but deliver massive convenience.

Homeowners across Ryde, Hornsby, and the Northern Beaches consistently point to vertical dividers as one of those features they didn’t realise they needed… until they got it.

If you’re already spending thousands on your laundry transformation, adding dividers is a no-brainer. It’s like buying a new car and saying, “Nah, skip the cupholders.” You’ll regret it forever.

Sydney Lifestyle Considerations: Are Vertical Dividers Essential for You?

Ask yourself:

• Do you air-dry clothes regularly?

• Do you use a foldable rack?

• Do you iron weekly, or have a steaming station?

• Do you keep benchtop boards or folding boards?

• Does clutter drive you mad?

If you answered yes to even one—
You’ll love having dividers.

They’re especially helpful for:

• Families with kids

• Apartments with no balcony drying space

• Homes where laundry doubles as mudroom

• Households with many cleaning tools

• People who want the “display home” look every day

Conclusion: Should You Include Vertical Dividers?

Almost always—yes.
Vertical dividers are a practical, affordable, and space-optimising addition to any Sydney laundry renovation. They improve organisation, reduce clutter, and help your laundry function smarter, not harder.

Whether you’re renovating in Chatswood, Parramatta, Randwick, Turramurra, or the Inner West, dividers bring structure to one of the most overlooked spaces in the home. And when paired with well-planned cabinetry, modern appliances, and moisture-resistant materials, they become one of the most impactful features you can add.

To learn more about kitchen, bathroom, laundry and full-house renovation services in Sydney, visit www.mb9.com.au for details from MB9 Australia Pty Ltd.