For years, the laundry was the room you shut the door on. Hidden behind baskets of washing and bottles of detergent, it was designed purely for function. Today, that's changing. The modern laundry is no longer an afterthought. Across new builds and renovations, homeowners are investing in spaces that feel every bit as considered as the kitchen or bathroom. Warm timber cabinetry is replacing stark white cupboards, natural stone benchtops are adding texture and durability, while integrated appliances create a seamless, minimalist finish.
A Fresh Take on Laundry Décor
Open shelving has become an opportunity to style rather than store, with woven baskets, glass apothecary jars and sculptural vessels replacing bulky plastic containers. Decorative hooks, oversized splashbacks, brushed metal tapware and statement lighting are proving that even the most practical room in the home can feel beautifully designed.
ABI Interiors Eden Kitchen Mixer, $374. Città Arena Laundry Basket, $230. Tile Depot Fornace Rosso Mattone tiles, $139.92 per m2. Mr.Ralph Rattan - Bohemian Shade Collection, $399.
Colour is evolving too. Soft pinks, warm whites, and muted pastels are replacing clinical palettes, creating spaces that feel calm and inviting. Indoor plants, framed artwork and carefully chosen home fragrance complete the look, transforming the laundry into a room people actually enjoy spending time in rather than simply passing through.
Gorman Tiger Flower Lidded Basket, $109. Rugs NZ Happy Rugs Funky Flower Wool Round, $529. Dulux Ōpoutere paint. W Pearlescent Light Yellow Glass Mosaic Tile Shower Pool Outdoor, $22.
Elevating the Laundry Experience
As our homes become more intentional, the focus has shifted from hiding the laundry to celebrating it. Today's luxury isn't about excess—it's about thoughtful design, quality materials and elevating the everyday through beautiful functionality. And it's not just about aesthetics. The latest generation of appliances and home fragrance is encouraging us to care for our wardrobes—and our homes—in smarter, more considered ways.
The new Fisher & Paykel Series 11 range reflects this shift. More than simply washing clothes, it has been designed as a complete fabric care system, with an intuitive touchscreen, specialist fabric programmes and Steam Refresh cycles that help reduce unnecessary washing while keeping garments looking their best. Together with the matching dryer and Fabric Care Cabinet, it creates a connected wardrobe care ecosystem that feels as premium as the clothes inside it.
Fisher & Paykel 9kg Series 11 Display-free Heat Pump Dryer, $4999, Fisher & Paykel 11kg Series 11 Front Loader Washer, $4899 and Fisher & Paykel 60cm Series 11 Fabric Care Cabinet, $4399.
Luxury doesn't stop once the cycle ends. Fragrance house ECOYA has expanded beyond candles and diffusers with its latest Wild Sage and Citrus Laundry Collection, bringing its signature scents into every stage of the laundry ritual. Laundry Liquid, Linen Spray, reusable Dryer Balls and beautifully scented Ceramic Stones are designed to layer fragrance through clothing, towels and bed linen, turning an everyday chore into a sensory experience.
ECOYA Wild Sage & Citrus Laundry Liquid 1L, $40. ECOYA Wild Sage & Citrus Laundry Dryer Ball Set, $60. ECOYA Wild Sage & Citrus Linen Spray 300ml, $30 and ECOYA Wild Sage & Citrus Closet Tag Set, $25.
Drying, But Make It Beautiful
One of the biggest challenges in any laundry is finding space to air-dry delicate pieces without creating visual clutter. Fortunately, the latest design solutions prove practicality and style can happily coexist. Ceiling-mounted drying racks are becoming a favourite in contemporary homes, lowering only when needed before disappearing overhead once clothes are dry. Slimline wall-mounted drying rails offer another discreet solution, folding neatly against the wall when not in use and freeing up valuable floor space. For those designing a new laundry, custom cabinetry can conceal pull-out drying racks or integrated hanging rails, making it easy to dry shirts, dresses and knitwear without leaving them on display. A dedicated hanging rod beneath overhead cupboards is another clever addition, creating the perfect spot for freshly steamed garments or items waiting to be ironed. Freestanding clothes airers have also had a design upgrade, with minimalist timber and matte black styles replacing bulky metal frames. Paired with coordinated laundry baskets, beautiful storage vessels and premium fabric care products, they become part of the room's aesthetic rather than something to hide away. The key is thinking vertically and choosing solutions that can disappear when not in use. The result is a laundry that works harder, feels more spacious and maintains the calm, considered aesthetic that defines today's modern home.
It's part of a wider movement towards intentional living—buying fewer, better pieces, caring for them properly and creating rituals that make everyday moments feel just a little more indulgent. Because these days, luxury isn't always found in grand gestures. Sometimes it's slipping into freshly laundered sheets scented with your favourite fragrance, or putting on a perfectly refreshed cashmere knit without reaching for the iron. Perhaps the laundry room has finally earned its place among the most beautiful spaces in the home.
From beautifully designed appliances to home fragrance that lingers long after wash day, laundry is becoming one of the most considered spaces in the modern home.