Clean living

To transform this combined bathroom and laundry into a streamlined, attractive space, the designer removed doors and concealed the appliances

The view of a bathroom combined with a bathroom, countertop, floor, flooring, home, interior design, kitchen, property, room, tile, wall, brown, orange — The view of a bathroom combined with a laundry

The view of a combined bathroom and laundry bathroom, cabinetry, countertop, floor, flooring, home, interior design, kitchen, property, room, sink, tile, brown

The downward view of a combined bathroom and bathroom, countertop, floor, flooring, home, interior design, kitchen, plumbing fixture, room, sink, tile, wood, brown

The detail of a washing machine and sink clothes dryer, countertop, home appliance, kitchen, kitchen stove, laundry, laundry room, major appliance, plumbing fixture, room, sink, washing machine, brown, orange

Combining the bathroom with the laundry is often a necessity in small homes. However, showering alongside laundry appliances can be undesirable as well as cramped.

Working with the existing bathroom and laundry space in this two-bedroom unit, designer Chris Tullett's brief was to create a fresh look to the area with an emphasis on open space and presentation.

The first thing to go was the folding doors that closed the laundry off from the bathroom, followed by the old shower and bath arrangement, says Tullett.

"These items made the bathroom feel very small and stuffy."

The same marble benchtops and cabinetry are used in both the laundry and the bathroom. The entire room is tiled from floor to ceiling.

The upper cabinets in the laundry conceal a tumble dryer and hot water heater, while the lower cabinets conceal a front-loading washing machine and storage space.

A workbench, lit by task lighting, provides a useful place to fold laundry.

The installation of a frameless shower eased some of the congestion in the room, as did a concealed toilet cistern.

A floating vanity gives the appearance of more floor space. Fluorescent lighting underneath the vanity provides ambience and doubles as a night-light.

A round basin is semi-recessed into the marble-topped vanity, freeing up bench space on the right.

The end result, says Tullett, is a clean, minimal and inviting space.