Integrated Laundry Design
Hidden appliances, seamless cabinetry.
A complete Sydney guide to designing a laundry where the washer, dryer and storage disappear behind cabinetry — what it costs, what it requires, and the mistakes to avoid.
Book a free quoteAn integrated laundry is one where the washing machine, dryer and storage are concealed behind cabinetry panels designed to match the rest of the room — the same idea as an integrated fridge or dishwasher. Close the doors and there's no laundry in sight: just clean, continuous joinery.
It's one of the most common briefs we hear at our Taren Point showroom in Caringbah, especially from clients in open-plan homes where the laundry is visible from the kitchen or living area. At Kitchen & Home Renovations Co. we've designed and installed integrated laundries across the Sutherland Shire, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West and North Shore. This post covers what an integrated laundry actually involves, what it costs in Sydney, and the things to plan for before you start.
Key Takeaways
- An integrated laundry conceals the washing machine and dryer behind cabinetry-matched panels — the appliances are still fully functional, just visually hidden.
- You need cabinetry-ready (panel-ready) appliances, or front-loading models that fit inside a panelled cavity. Top-loaders generally can't be integrated.
- Costs range from around $1,500 for a cabinetry retrofit over existing appliances to $13,000–$35,000+ for an integrated laundry combined with a butler's pantry or major reconfiguration.
- A standard front-loader needs a cavity of roughly 600mm wide × 850mm high × 600mm deep, plus ventilation clearance — measure this before committing to a design.
- The biggest reasons people choose integrated: a cleaner visual line in open-plan homes, reduced appliance noise, and a more modern, minimalist look.
- The three most common mistakes: poor ventilation, mismatched cabinetry depth, and choosing appliances before designing the cabinetry.
- Kitchen & Home Renovations Co. has 35 years' industry experience renovating Sydney homes.
Why Choose ItWhy People Are Asking For Integrated Laundries
Integrated laundry design has gone from a niche apartment solution to a mainstream request, especially in the kind of open-plan homes that have dominated Sydney renovations for the last decade. There are four reasons clients consistently give us when they ask for one.
Visual continuity in open-plan homes
When the laundry is visible from the kitchen or living area, having an exposed washing machine breaks the design. Integrated cabinetry restores the clean, continuous line.
Reduced noise
Solid cabinetry doors muffle the sound of washing and spin cycles substantially. Modern front-loaders are already quiet — concealed behind a panel, they're barely audible from the next room.
A modern, minimalist aesthetic
Hidden appliances are a hallmark of contemporary kitchen and home design. Integrated laundries fit naturally with the same minimalist look most clients are already pursuing in their kitchen.
Space-saving for compact homes
In apartments, terraces and smaller homes, a fully integrated stacked washer-dryer column can fit into less than a square metre while reading visually as part of the kitchen or hallway joinery.
"A well-designed integrated laundry should read as cabinetry first and laundry second."
The Two Main FormatsWhere Integrated Laundries Actually Live
Integrated laundries take two main forms in Sydney homes, depending on whether you're concealing appliances within a dedicated laundry room or absorbing them into another room entirely.
Integration within a laundry room
You keep your laundry as a dedicated room, but the washing machine, dryer, sink and storage are all built into a continuous run of cabinetry — no exposed white-goods, just consistent joinery from floor to ceiling.
Best for family homes with a separate laundry that's visible from the kitchen or living area.
Integration into the kitchen or another room
The washing machine and dryer live inside the kitchen cabinetry (often near the sink to share plumbing), or behind a cupboard in a hallway, bathroom or pantry. There's no separate laundry room at all.
Best for apartments, terraces and townhouses where space is at a premium.
What's RequiredWhat You Need to Make an Integrated Laundry Work
Three things separate a laundry that's genuinely integrated from one that just has cabinet doors thrown over the top.
The right appliances
You need a front-loading washer (top-loaders almost never integrate cleanly because of the upward lid clearance) and ideally a panel-ready or cabinetry-ready model from a manufacturer that supports integration — Bosch, Miele, ASKO, Fisher & Paykel and Smeg all offer integrated-friendly options. Standard front-loaders can also work behind cabinetry doors, but the door has to swing clear of the appliance, which affects layout.
Proper ventilation
Concealed appliances generate heat and moisture. Without airflow, you get mould, panel warping, and shortened appliance life. Ventilation can come from louvred doors, toe-kick vents, or scheduled gaps at the top of cabinetry — but it has to be planned from the start, not added later. Heat-pump dryers in particular need clearance to breathe.
Cabinetry designed for the appliances, not the other way around
The single most common call-out we get on integrated laundry jobs done badly elsewhere is cabinetry that doesn't fit the appliances. Cabinets are typically 560–600mm deep; some front-loaders are 680mm deep and end up sitting proud of the joinery. Always select appliances first, then design cabinetry around their exact dimensions.
BudgetWhat an Integrated Laundry Actually Costs in Sydney
Integrated laundry projects come in three quite different shapes, and the price gap between them is genuine. A retrofit over existing appliances is one of the most affordable renovation jobs in Sydney. A purpose-built integrated laundry sits in the middle. And combining the laundry with a butler's pantry or major reconfiguration lands at the higher end.
These figures reflect current Sydney market ranges for integrated laundry projects at Kitchen & Home Renovations Co. Every space is different — the best way to get an accurate number for your home is a free in-home design consultation, where one of our designers will measure the space, review the plumbing, and give you a fixed quote before any work starts.
Getting It RightThe Dimensions You Need Before You Start
Most integrated laundry problems start with one thing: the appliances don't fit the cabinetry, or vice versa. Below are the standard dimensions to plan around — measure your space against these before you commit to a particular washer or dryer.
Standard DimensionsWhat An Integrated Laundry Needs
Front-loading washing machines from most major brands (Bosch, Miele, LG, Samsung, Fisher & Paykel) follow the 600mm width and 850mm height standard, but depths vary from 550mm to 680mm. Always check the specific model's spec sheet against your planned cavity before ordering.
Avoid TheseThe Three Most Common Mistakes
Sealing appliances in without ventilation
Concealed washers and dryers generate heat and humidity. Without airflow — louvred doors, toe-kick vents, or scheduled gaps at the top of the cabinetry — mould, panel warping and shortened appliance life become real problems. Every integrated laundry we build has a ventilation plan from day one.
Cabinetry depth doesn't match appliances
Most cabinet carcasses are 560–600mm deep. Some front-loaders are 680mm deep and will sit proud of the cabinetry — completely defeating the point of integration. Always select appliances first, then design cabinetry around their exact dimensions.
Choosing standard appliances when panel-ready exists
Panel-ready (or cabinetry-ready) appliances are designed to take a custom panel as their door, hinged to match the surrounding cabinetry. Standard front-loaders sit behind a separate cabinetry door instead — which works, but adds depth and limits how flush the integration looks. If you want the cleanest result, panel-ready is worth the extra spend.
A recent renovation in Cronulla is a good example of integrated laundry done well. The clients had a narrow 2.4m-wide laundry visible from the open-plan kitchen — functional, but with an exposed washer and dryer that broke up the design.
We redesigned the space around a stacked washer-dryer column concealed behind full-height cabinetry in a matt polyurethane finish to match the adjacent kitchen, ran a Quantum engineered stone benchtop the full length, and installed a pull-out laundry hamper and hanging rail behind bi-fold doors. Installed with minimal disruption on-site. The room now reads as an extension of the kitchen rather than a separate utility space.
Common QuestionsIntegrated Laundry FAQs
What is an integrated laundry?
An integrated laundry is one where the washing machine, dryer and storage are concealed behind cabinetry panels designed to match the surrounding joinery. The appliances are still fully functional — they're just visually hidden. The result is a clean, continuous visual line where the laundry isn't visible when the doors are closed.
How much does an integrated laundry cost in Sydney?
Costs depend heavily on scope. A cabinetry retrofit over existing appliances starts from around $1,500. A full integrated laundry renovation with new custom cabinetry, stone benchtops and integrated appliances runs $4,000–$12,000. Larger projects involving wall removal, plumbing relocation, or combined butler's pantry and laundry spaces sit at $13,000–$35,000+.
What's the difference between integrated and panel-ready appliances?
Panel-ready (or cabinetry-ready) appliances are specifically designed to accept a custom cabinetry panel as their visible door — the panel is hinged to the appliance itself. Standard front-loaders can still be integrated by sitting behind a separate cabinetry door, but the integration is less flush and uses more depth. Panel-ready appliances cost more but give the cleanest result.
Can you integrate a top-loading washing machine?
Almost never cleanly. Top-loaders need overhead clearance to open the lid, which means you can't run a continuous cabinetry door above them. Most integrated laundries use front-loaders for this reason.
Will hidden appliances overheat behind cabinetry?
Not if ventilation is planned properly. Concealed washers and dryers need either louvred doors, toe-kick vents, or scheduled gaps at the top of the cabinetry to release heat and moisture. Heat-pump dryers in particular need 50mm of clearance plus door venting. A properly designed integrated laundry has airflow built into the cabinetry plan from day one.
How much quieter is an integrated laundry?
Noticeably quieter. Solid cabinetry doors muffle washing and spin cycle noise substantially. Modern front-loaders already operate below 55dB on wash cycles — concealed behind a panel, they're often barely audible from an adjacent room. The combination of low-dB appliances and solid cabinetry makes integrated laundries genuinely quieter than open laundries with older equipment.
Can I integrate my laundry without renovating my kitchen?
Yes. An integrated laundry doesn't require a kitchen renovation — it just requires cabinetry that works with your chosen appliances and plumbing. Many Sydney homeowners upgrade their laundry independently, either as a standalone project or before a future kitchen renovation.
Will an integrated laundry add value to my home?
Yes — a well-designed integrated laundry adds value. It signals a thoughtfully renovated home, maximises floorplan efficiency, and appeals strongly to buyers in Sydney's apartment and smaller-home markets where space is at a premium. The key is quality cabinetry and a layout that's genuinely functional, not just visually neat.
How long does an integrated laundry renovation take?
The on-site installation for most integrated laundry projects is fast, with minimal disruption, once the cabinetry has been manufactured. The full project — design, measure, cabinetry manufacture and installation — is confirmed for your job at your free in-home consultation.
Do I need council approval for an integrated laundry renovation?
Typically no, unless you're moving walls, relocating plumbing significantly, or making structural changes. Most integrated laundry renovations sit within the scope of a standard cabinetry and joinery project. If your renovation involves wall removal, strata-titled plumbing changes, or external venting, check with your local council first.
Do you service the Sutherland Shire and wider Sydney?
Yes. Kitchen & Home Renovations Co. is based in Caringbah and services the entire Sutherland Shire — including Cronulla, Miranda, Gymea, Caringbah, Sutherland and Sylvania — plus the Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, St George area and North Shore. We design, manufacture and install across our full Sydney service area.
Thinking about an integrated laundry?
Book a free in-home design consultation. One of our experienced designers will measure your space, review your plumbing, and show you exactly what's possible — with no pressure and no obligation.
Book a free quote Or call us on 02 9531 2004Why Sydney Homeowners Are Choosing us for their Laundry Update
At Kitchen & Home Renovations Co, we believe your laundry should work as hard as you do — without sacrificing style. Whether you’re updating a tired space or creating a brand new layout, we specialise in laundry renovations that maximise storage, improve functionality, and elevate the look and feel of your home.
From stone benchtops and integrated cabinetry to space-saving layouts and clever design touches, our team delivers smart solutions tailored to your home and lifestyle. We take the time to understand how you use the space, and we offer expert guidance on materials, layout, and finishes to ensure every detail is just right.
With over 35 years of experience renovating homes across the Sutherland Shire and Southern Sydney, we make the renovation process smooth, stress-free, and highly personalised — from the first consultation to the final install.
If you’re ready to upgrade your laundry into a more practical and polished part of your home, we’re here to help.
Book a FREE in-home consultation with one of our experienced designers today.