HIDDEN DEPTHS Save space: tuck a laundry behind sliding doors

LAUNDRY UPDATE DIY JULY

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Hidden depths

SLIDING DOORS REVEAL A COMPACT DIY LAUNDRY THAT PUNCHES ABOVE ITS WEIGHT

Words SHELLEY TUSTIN

Lack of space is a common prompt for a laundry reno, but in the case of this Melbourne unit the issue was too much space. “You could have had four machines in there!” says homeowner Ben. “It was the sort of room you’d have for a big family.” For a two-bedroom apartment this was too much of a good thing, so the laundry was reconfigured into a cupboard tucked behind sliding doors.

The maximum amount of storage was top priority when designing the space

Choosing Kaboodle Kitchen cabinetry was a no-brainer – the same finishes are in the new kitchen, giving a sense of cohesion, plus Ben was comfortable putting it together with help from some friends. “We’re the type of guys who will YouTube it until we work it out!” he says. Ben further flexed his DIY muscles, taking on everything from tiling and plastering to painting, to create a space that’s as good-looking as it is functional.

ABOVE Custom sliding doors hide the workspace and form a striking feature

Must-haves

“For me, a laundry is not a big deal,” says Ben. “I wanted a space where I could clean my footy boots!” But with an eye on the practicalities – and potential future needs – he added a few more items to the list. A washing machine and a deep sink, teamed with a gooseneck mixer, were musthaves, along with bulked-up storage. A dryer, however, didn’t make the cut. “I like the feeling of my clothes when they’ve been drying in the sun, and there’s a laundromat down the road in case of an emergency,” explains Ben.

Colour cues

With navy-toned charcoal cabinets – Kaboodle Kitchen ‘Modern’ profile in Poppy Seed – and black accents in the Kaboodle ‘Plaza’ cabinet pulls and in a steel-framed shelving unit, the moody colour scheme is bang on trend, while also matching the style of the home. Ben chose lowmaintenance marble-look laminate to give the benchtop a sense of luxury without overcapitalising.

A Kaboodle Kitchen pantry provides ample storage, while lidded containers keep clutter organised

Sense of order

When you’re dealing with a small but functional zone, good storage is important. This was front of mind when Ben designed the layout using Kaboodle Kitchen’s online 3D planner. Cabinets above and below the sink, plus a large cupboard and an industrial-style shelf unit, give plenty of stash space. Inside the cupboard, there’s lots of room for linens and miscellaneous bits and bobs, all neatly contained in lidded tubs.

Out of sight

A laundry cupboard is a fantastic space-saver when you can’t have – or don’t want – a dedicated room. Ben’s new laundry is tucked at one end of the new and expanded kitchen and dining area, but you wouldn’t know it was there, with everything hidden behind neat white doors. The threepanel sliding door (custom-made to fit) is on three tracks, so it can slide to one side or the other, or stack in the middle, so every part of the laundry is accessible.

LEFT and PREVIOUS PAGE Kaboodle Kitchen ‘Modern’ profile cabinetry in Poppy Seed; ‘Plaza’ 96mm kitchen handles in Matt Black, $6.90 each, I/N: 0175953†; and compact radius customisable benchtop in Calcutta Grey, $190/m, I/N: 0193831†. Inabox modular storage containers with lids in Cactus Blue, $13/19L, I/N: 0319496; $8.50/8L, I/N: 0319493; and $6.50/5L, I/N: 0319487. Walls painted in Dulux White Exchange Half paint. Wall tiles, for similar try Johnson Tiles 297mm x 97mm ceramic wall tiles in Neutral White Gloss, $26.73/ carton of 27, I/N: 0111657. Sink mixer, for similar try Mondella ‘Cadenza’ WELS 5-star 6L/min vege spray sink mixer in Chrome, $139, I/N: 0166158. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. Always engage licensed trades to carry out plumbing and hardwired electrical work.

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1. BASE TILE FOR WALLS AND FLOORS

2. TEXTURED TILE TO COMPLEMENT THE BASE TILE

On walls, from left: Gayafores 625mm x 320mm ‘Sassi Gris’ porcelain floor tiles, $61, I/N: 0264098/carton of 5, and ‘Deco Sassi Gris’ 625mm x 320mm porcelain tiles, $61/ carton of 5, I/N: 0264100. On floor, from left: ‘Sassi Gris’ floor tiles, as before, and ‘Heritage’ 331mm x 331mm porcelain tiles in Black, $71.55/carton of 12, I/N: 0264115

3. PATTERNED TILE TO COMPLETE THE LOOK

TILE IN STYLE

Bring your dream design to life with authentic and affordable Spanish-made tiles

The secret to creating interior style with substance is choosing authentic, high-quality materials. For floor and wall tiles showcasing versatility, longevity and design excellence, a sure choice is Gayafores porcelain tiles. Handmade in Valencia, Spain, they boast a five-star wear rating and are scratch-, impact- and stain-resistant.

FOUNDATIONS IN HISTORY

For more than 120 years, the family-founded company has been crafting world-class tiles, leading the way in design, technology and sustainability. The range is available Australia-wide at Bunnings, meaning you can embrace the latest design trends from across the globe with genuine European-made tiles, without the designer price tag.

TILES FOR EVERY STYLE

The Gayafores collection has been designed and curated so there’s a tile for every style of interior, from cool contemporary to a heritage home. For homemakers and renovators looking to get creative, there’s a simple three-step design process that empowers you to use the range to bring your vision to life.

THREE STEPS TO SUCCESS

The first step is to pick a base tile that can be used on both floors and walls. The next step is to select a decorative or textured tile to complement the base tile (on the floor or wall). The third and final step is to choose a square patterned tile to add an extra accent to your finished masterpiece.

With such a wide variety of tile designs to choose from, you can follow these simple steps to make a brave and bold style statement, or stick to the more understated options for a neutral, pared-back, timeless look.

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