Maximising Every Millimetre: Rethinking the Laundry Layout

A single sided roller door from Sage Doors enables this compact laundry to have everything it needs, including two lightweight fully removable 35L hampers.

Laundry spaces in New Zealand homes are often compressed into hallways or narrow utility zones, where door design can quietly compromise usability. Bi-fold doors project into the room, interrupting circulation and limiting access. Sliding doors can reduce this impact but typically leave one section closed off at any given time. In compact footprints, these small inefficiencies quickly become everyday frustrations.

Sage Doors’ single sided roller door addresses this directly. Designed for tight applications, it requires just 25mm on each side for the track, allowing the full opening to remain accessible without encroaching into the space. The result is a more usable, unobstructed laundry zone where circulation and access are not compromised by the door itself.

In this 1540mm wide laundry, that efficiency makes a tangible difference. The layout accommodates a washer and dryer, a compact sink, and integrated storage, demonstrating how considered product selection can unlock full functionality within a limited footprint. A Blum pull out shelf beneath the dryer adds a practical working surface without increasing the overall space required.

The laundry hampers make a difference too!

Also featured is the Concelo Laundry Hamper, designed to fit behind a 450mm wide door front. It includes two lightweight, fully removable 35L hampers, providing everything needed for efficient laundry sorting within a compact space.

Each hamper is designed to support better laundry conditions. Integrated ventilation promotes airflow, allowing damp fabrics to dry naturally. A solid base contains any residual moisture, protecting surrounding cabinetry. Moulded from virgin polypropylene, the hampers are durable, fully recyclable, and will not rust over time.

Like all Concelo products, the unit incorporates the Clip’n’Clean tray. This fully removable tray removes the common dirt trap between the hamper frame and door front, allowing the area to be wiped clean with ease and maintaining a higher standard of hygiene within the cabinet.

Finished in Timbalook Rangitoto and Opticoat Vanilla Cupcake with inset handles, the space remains simple and considered, proof that careful design decisions, not additional space, often deliver the best result.