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Matching your needs with your space is the key to a successful laundry renovation according to the winner of Australia’s best laundry makeover of 2022.
"It is really important to go through design drafts before settling on one that meets your needs and suits your space the best,” says Lauren.
Known as @theDIYedit in the Workshop community, Lauren won our D.I.Y. July competition last year for her laundry reno with Kaboodle cabinets and benchtop.
“Eliminating all of the tricky questions and potential issues before you start can help ensure a smoother renovation," Lauren says. "Do you have enough storage? Will you have room for your bulkier items like the ironing board? You can then think about the practicalities of plumbing, pipework and the electrics. Does any of it need changing? Is that in your budget?”
Lauren proudly reveals that “the laundry still looks brand new” after a year, despite being used every day. 
She says that better planning could have helped avoid “a lot of headaches and unnecessary extra expense”.
“I have learned that planning is the key to a successful project. Starting something on a whim without thinking things through can cause all sorts of problems.”
For anyone attempting their own laundry makeover, she suggests having a look at online guides.
“Online videos and tutorials are a godsend. They gave us the confidence to try lots of things on our own that we wouldn’t have necessarily taken on ourselves, like the tiling.”
Expert advice for your laundry renovation
Mitchell Mclean (@MitchellMc), resident Bunnings D.I.Y. expert and one of the judges for this year's competition to find Australia's best D.I.Y. projects, has further advice for laundry renovators. His tips include:
1. Plan your laundry layout for efficient movement and easy access to appliances, storage, and other essentials.
2. Use a combination of ambient and task lighting to brighten up the laundry. Under-cabinet lighting is a great way to illuminate your work area.
3. Incorporate cabinets, shelves, and baskets to neatly store detergents, cleaning supplies, and laundry accessories. This helps maintain a clutter-free and organised space.
4. Install wall-mounted drying racks or retractable clotheslines to maximise space. This will allow you to hang clothes if they are damp and need air drying.
5. Ensure proper ventilation to prevent moisture buildup and musty odours. Consider installing a ventilation fan or ducting your dryer to an external vent.
For more laundry renovation tips and space-saving ideas, check out the guide How to plan a laundry renovation by experienced Bunnings Workshop member Adam Woodhams (@Adam_W).
Inspiration for your laundry makeover
Have a look at our Top 10 most popular laundry renovation projects and 7 ways to transform your laundry for great ideas.
D.I.Y. July is fast approaching and we are again searching for Australia’s best D.I.Y. projects. Winners will have their projects featured in the September issue of Bunnings Magazine. To enter, just hit the Share a project button and use the D.I.Y. July entry label.
