Should I use open shelves or closed cabinetry? (Laundry Room | Cabinetry, Storage, Appliances & Fixtures)

When planning a laundry room renovation in Sydney, one of the most common questions homeowners ask is whether to install open shelving or closed cabinetry. This decision is not just about style—it has practical implications for storage, accessibility, maintenance, and the overall functionality of your laundry space. Whether you’re renovating a compact apartment in Zetland, a family home in Ryde, or a designer townhouse in Mosman, understanding the pros and cons of each option can help you make informed choices.

This guide explores the benefits, limitations, and design strategies for both open shelves and closed cabinets, with tips on how to optimise your Sydney laundry renovation for both practicality and aesthetics.

Understanding the Difference: Open Shelves vs Closed Cabinets

Open Shelving

Open shelves are exactly what they sound like—storage without doors. They allow easy access to items and can make a space feel more open and airy.

Common Uses in Laundry Rooms:

• Storing laundry baskets or bins for daily sorting

• Displaying folded towels or linens

• Keeping frequently used cleaning products within reach

Why Sydney homeowners love open shelving:
In apartments or homes with smaller laundry rooms, such as in Alexandria or Surry Hills, open shelving can make the room feel less crowded and visually lighter. They also encourage tidiness since everything is on display.

Closed Cabinetry

Closed cabinetry involves cabinets with doors, which can be either traditional hinged doors or sliding panels. These units conceal contents, providing a neater, more polished look.

Common Uses in Laundry Rooms:

• Storing chemicals, detergents, and cleaning products safely out of reach of children or pets

• Hiding small appliances like steamers, irons, and laundry accessories

• Creating a uniform look that complements kitchen and bathroom cabinetry

Why Sydney homeowners love closed cabinetry:
In family homes across Ryde, Chatswood, or the North Shore, closed cabinets reduce visual clutter and provide safer storage for households with children. They are also ideal for managing odours and keeping dust off folded laundry.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Storage Type

1. Household Lifestyle

Your choice should reflect how your household uses the laundry.

• Busy families in suburbs like Hornsby or Pennant Hills may benefit from closed cabinetry to hide a large number of detergents, sprays, and cleaning tools.

• Couples or singles in inner-city apartments (Surry Hills, Redfern, Bondi Junction) might prefer open shelving for easy access to everyday items.

2. Space Constraints

Small laundry rooms benefit from open shelving because it creates the illusion of more space. In contrast, larger laundries with high ceilings—common in heritage homes in Balmain or Paddington—can handle a mix of closed cabinets and open shelves, providing both storage flexibility and visual interest.

3. Accessibility

Think about the frequency with which you access items.

• Daily essentials: Laundry powders, fabric softeners, or baskets are easier to reach on open shelves.

• Occasional items: Seasonal items, spare detergents, or ironing accessories are better stored in closed cabinets.

4. Safety and Maintenance

Closed cabinets offer better protection from humidity and spills, which are common in Sydney’s humid summers or rainy coastal areas like Mosman and Manly. They also reduce the risk of chemicals being accessed by young children. Open shelves, while convenient, require regular tidying and dusting to keep the area looking clean.

Design Strategies: Combining Open and Closed Storage

Many modern Sydney laundry renovations use a hybrid approach, blending the best of both worlds:

1. Open Shelves for Daily Use

• Place open shelves at eye level for easy reach of frequently used items.

• Use stylish baskets or bins to contain smaller items, keeping the shelves tidy.

• Open shelving above folding benches or laundry hampers works well for towel storage.

2. Closed Cabinets for Safety and Clutter Control

• Install closed cabinets above or beside open shelves to store chemicals, cleaning tools, and seasonal items.

• Consider childproof locks if you have toddlers, which is particularly relevant in suburbs with young families like Ryde or North Shore.

• Use moisture-resistant cabinetry materials such as high-pressure laminate or waterproof MDF to withstand Sydney’s humidity.

3. Adjustable Shelving

• Inside closed cabinets, adjustable shelving allows you to adapt the space for tall detergent bottles, ironing boards, or folded laundry baskets.

• This flexibility is invaluable in family homes where storage needs change over time.

4. Pull-Out Solutions

• Incorporate pull-out drawers or trays within closed cabinets for detergents, cleaning products, or small appliances.

• This makes it easier to reach items without cluttering the top of your laundry bench.

Styling Tips for a Modern Sydney Laundry

1. Match Cabinetry to Kitchen/Bathroom Finishes:
   Closed cabinets can be finished in a similar style to your kitchen or bathroom, creating a cohesive look. This is particularly effective in luxury homes in Mosman, Woollahra, or Vaucluse.

2. Use Open Shelves to Showcase Decor:
   Minimalist baskets, folded towels, or potted plants on open shelves add personality and warmth to the laundry, turning it from a purely functional space into a visually appealing area.

3. Lighting Matters:
   Well-placed LED under-cabinet or shelf lighting enhances visibility, making it easier to locate items while adding a modern, stylish touch. This is especially useful in darker laundry areas in inner-city apartments like Zetland or Redfern.

4. Colour and Materials:
   Light colours and reflective finishes make small spaces feel larger. High-gloss doors on closed cabinets can visually expand compact laundries, while natural timber or painted open shelves provide warmth and character.

Case Example: Hybrid Laundry Storage in Sydney

A family home in Ryde recently underwent a full laundry renovation:

• Open shelves were installed above the bench for daily items like detergents, softeners, and small baskets.

• Closed cabinets were installed above the washer and dryer to store chemicals, cleaning products, and an ironing board.

• Adjustable shelves and pull-out trays were incorporated inside the closed cabinets for optimal flexibility.

The result: a laundry that maximised vertical space, improved accessibility, and maintained a tidy, modern aesthetic, all within a compact footprint typical of Sydney’s inner suburbs.

Conclusion

Choosing between open shelves and closed cabinetry depends on your household needs, space constraints, and lifestyle. For most Sydney homes, the most functional solution is a combination of both, with open shelves for frequently used items and closed cabinets for chemicals, bulky items, and seasonal storage.

By carefully selecting materials, heights, and configurations, you can create a laundry room that is practical, safe, visually appealing, and easy to maintain, no matter if you live in a compact inner-city apartment or a large family home in the North Shore or Eastern Suburbs.

For professional advice and expert laundry room, kitchen, bathroom, and full-home renovations in Sydney, visit www.mb9.com.au to explore the comprehensive renovation services offered by MB9 Australia Pty Ltd.