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Interior stylist Katy Thomas’s laundry was in dire need of a makeover. “It had no bench space, no practical storage and the open wire shelves were a mess. I’d just shut the door and didn’t want to go in there,” she recalls.
Katy tracked down a budget-friendly combination of materials to create the look she was after. Key features included a timber benchtop and open shelves, flatpack cabinetry, a panel splashback and black hardware, set against a serene backdrop of white and grey.
Katy and her partner enlisted a plumber and electrician for the trade requirements, but they completed the rest of the makeover themselves in a week-and-a-half.
“The first step was painting the walls in Dulux Vivid White,” Katy says. This immediately refreshed and revitalised the space.
For contrast, the panels on the splashback were painted in Dulux Aquanamel in Highgate. “It is subtle, but breaks up the wall beautifully and looks great against the timber.”
Tip: Interior wall linings can work well in a laundry, but make sure you choose waterproof linings for heavy-duty wet areas.
Katy selected a cost-effective Tasmanian oak panel to use a benchtop above the washer and dryer, cutting a hole in one end to fit a Mondella sink. To ensure it stood up to the rigours of a wet area, the bench was sealed with a clear matt varnish (like Feast Watson ‘Satin Clear’ weatherproof varnish). In keeping with the natural and textural look, Tasmanian oak DAR timber was used to create handy open shelving.
Bedford flatpack cabinets provided an efficient storage solution, successfully concealing clutter behind closed doors. Each of the cabinet doors came with two pre-drilled holes and chrome handles, but Katy personalised the doors with statement 76mm black timber knobs, teamed with smaller 45mm versions for a striking feature, which complemented the Mondella lever tap set, also in black.
Katy is thrilled with the result and says the space makes doing laundry more enjoyable. "It's a calm space and incredibly functional," she reflects. Because we did it ourselves, it was extremely satisfying.
Check out our step-by-step guide to a modern laundry.
Photo credit: Katy Thomas
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
