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How to update and renovate your laundry

A renovated laundry with towels, a ironing board, hanging clothes and a washing machine.

Overview

The laundry is often last on the list when it comes to renovating your home. However, with just a few key elements and clever design you can create a space that's both practical and stylish.

Steps

1The Challenge

The original 70's style laundry we had to work with was dull, uninviting and had little storage space. With some clever storage solutions, new floor coverings and a fresh colour scheme, we were able to give it a modern, industrial look without breaking the bank. 

By leaving the layout the same and not moving the plumbing or electrical, we were able to save time and money.

A laundry before the renovation.

2Planning

The first thing to do is to assess the space and work out what to keep, what to replace and what to add. We kept the existing trough and bench, just giving them a lick of paint to freshen them up. 

The laundry definitely lacked space, so we added a D.I.Y. cubed storage unit and a wall mounted ironing board holder. The new metallic splashback is a real eye catcher and a fresh colour palette makes the space feel instantly updated. 

Once you have a plan, it's time for the fun bit. Head into your local Bunnings to choose your colours, fixtures and fittings. 
Folded yellow towels, yellow shelves and indoor plants in the laundry.

3Choose your colour palette

When it comes to choosing the colour scheme of your laundry, keep in mind the size of the space you're working with. If your laundry is small, keep colour to a minimum so that it doesn't take over the room. We opted for a monochrome colour scheme with a pop of bright yellow. This works perfectly with the grey and white combination we've got going on and is a nice cheerful addition to our industrial look. 

For inspiration, the Paint department at your local Bunnings has handy colour swatches and look books that showcase what's currently on trend. 
The British Paints display in store at Bunnings.

4Choose your fixtures and fittings

New tapware can make a big difference and help tie your look together. The cross-tap design is a modern take on an old favourite and fits in perfectly with our overall look. As an alternative, you could choose to go with white taps and go raw on the galvanised pipe fittings. 

When considering your flooring, remember it needs to be durable and suitable for a wet area. Vinyl flooring is an ideal choice and comes in a range of colours, shapes and sizes. Designed to look like timber boards or concrete tiles, it can be laid quickly and easily, so it's very cost-effective.

If you've got a bigger budget, you could look at tiles as an alternative, just remember to stick with neutral colours.
The tiles display in store at Bunnings.

5Update your splashback

Splashbacks can make a dramatic impact and are easy to add yourself. Especially if you go for a thin profile metallic sheet like we did. It can be stuck over existing tiles and the colour complements the industrial look of our laundry. 

Traditional wall tiles would also work well. Especially something like a subway tile with grey grout. They are easy to lay and budget friendly. Painting tiles is another way you can update the look of your splashback on a budget. 
The renovate laundry with a washing machine, ironing board, hanging clothes and towels.

6The finishing touches

When it comes to the laundry, having the right amount of storage is key. We built a storage cube unit as a D.I.Y. project but Bunnings also has a great range of ready-made storage options to consider. You can then add your own personal touches to your rejuvenation with some inventive D.I.Y. projects like this unique ironing board holder. You'll find a step-by-step guide to both these projects in the D.I.Y. advice section of our website.
A yellow and white ironing board stowed away in the ironing board holder.

7Your fresh laundry

As you can see, just a few simple changes can give your laundry a fresh new look. And the addition of some clever storage ideas makes it a functional and stylish space you won't mind spending time in.

Clothes hanging on a pipe rack over the sink.
Health & Safety

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.