How to Turn a Laundry Cupboard Into a Functional Laundry

Why Perth Homeowners Are Converting Laundry Cupboards

Plenty of Perth apartments and smaller homes in suburbs like Subiaco, Fremantle, and Joondalup have laundry cupboards tucked behind bi-fold doors in a hallway or kitchen. While they save floor space, these cupboards are often frustrating to use: cramped, poorly ventilated, and lacking any real bench or storage space. The good news is that a laundry cupboard conversion can turn that awkward cavity into a genuinely functional laundry without needing a separate room.

With Perth property prices making every square metre count, reclaiming space by improving what you already have makes far more financial sense than extending. A well-fitted laundry cupboard also appeals to buyers who want a tidy, complete home without a dedicated laundry room eating into living space.

Assessing What You Have to Work With

Before you start, measure the internal dimensions of your cupboard carefully. Most laundry cupboards in Perth are between 600 mm and 1,200 mm wide and around 600 mm deep. You need at least 600 mm width for a standard front-loading washing machine. If your cupboard is wider than 900 mm, you may be able to fit a stacked washer-dryer combination and still have room for a narrow shelf or pull-out hamper alongside the appliances.

Check the existing plumbing connections. A laundry cupboard will typically already have a cold-water supply tap and a drain point for the washing machine. If you want to add a small utility sink or upgrade to a hot-water supply for the washing machine, a licensed WA plumber will need to run additional lines for your laundry sink replacement. Under the Building Act 2011, any plumbing modifications in Western Australia require a licensed tradesperson, and the work must be lodged with the Plumbers Licensing Board.

Also check the electrical supply. Most laundry cupboards have a single power point.

A stacked washer-dryer setup needs two dedicated points on the same circuit, and you may need a licensed electrician to add the second outlet and verify the circuit can handle the combined load.

Smart Layout Options for a Laundry Cupboard

Key Upgrades That Make a Real Difference

Ventilation

Laundry cupboards trap moisture and heat. Perth’s hot summers mean your dryer generates significant heat in a confined space, and even in cooler months the moisture from a washing cycle has nowhere to go. Install a ventilation fan ducted to the exterior, or use a heat-pump condenser dryer that does not need external venting. Without proper airflow, you risk mould growth inside the cupboard, on surrounding walls, and even behind adjacent cabinetry.

Overhead Storage

The vertical space above a washer-dryer stack is prime storage territory that most homeowners leave completely empty. Custom overhead cabinets with adjustable shelves can hold detergent, cleaning products, spare linen, and bulky items like ironing boards. Use moisture-resistant materials like polyurethane-coated MR MDF rather than standard melamine, which swells and delaminates in humid conditions over time.

Pull-Out Accessories

A pull-out ironing board that folds into the cupboard frame saves floor space elsewhere in the house and keeps the hallway clear. Pull-out hamper baskets mounted on full-extension drawer runners let you sort whites, darks, and colours without cluttering the hallway. Retractable clotheslines inside the cupboard doors give you an indoor drying option for delicates on rainy days.

Lighting

Laundry cupboards are typically dark cavities once the doors are closed. LED strip lighting under overhead cabinets or inside the cupboard ceiling makes a surprising difference to usability. Battery-operated motion-sensor LED strips are an easy retrofit that does not require an electrician.

Waterproofing and Compliance

If your laundry cupboard has a floor waste, the floor area must be waterproofed to AS 3740 standards. Even if no floor waste exists, we strongly recommend a waterproof membrane under the flooring to protect against washing machine leaks and burst hoses. A single washing machine malfunction can release 60 to 100 litres of water, and in an apartment building, that water travels downward into the unit below.

The Building Commission WA can require rectification work if a laundry causes water damage to common areas in a strata property, so it pays to do this properly from the start. For a complete overview of waterproofing obligations, see our guide to waterproofing for Perth laundries and bathrooms.

What Does a Cupboard Conversion Cost?

A basic laundry cupboard fit-out in Perth typically costs between $3,500 and $7,000, depending on whether you are adding plumbing, cabinetry, ventilation, or all three. This is significantly less than a full laundry renovation, making it an excellent option for homeowners who want real functionality without a major build. The bulk of the cost goes to cabinetry and plumbing, so keeping existing plumbing points wherever possible is the best way to stay at the lower end of the range.

James Officer

James Officer, has been renovating homes for more than 20 years. Over a decade ago, James founded Perth Property Improver with a clear vision — to create a reliable, professional service where homeowners could feel confident that their project was in safe hands. Over the years, he has built strong relationships with trusted local contractors, carefully weeding out the average from the excellent, so only the most skilled, dependable tradespeople work on your home.