Laundry Renovations Northcote
Northcote Laundries,
Built to Work
Stylish, practical laundry renovations in Northcote and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, upfront quotes, zero hidden costs.
Your Northcote Laundry, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we’ve been delivering high-quality laundry renovations in Northcote and across Melbourne for more than 20 years. Since launching in early 2002, our family-owned business has earned a reputation for fast, fair and reliable renovation services with a personal touch.
What Our Clients Say
5.0 out of 5 stars, based on 25 reviews
Powder room & laundry into a small bathroom
“We are delighted with our new bathroom. Tony made the entire process very easy for us, which is what you want when renovating. Nothing was too much trouble and he was very patient with all our questions and provided great advice on the design and installation. The workmanship was of high quality and the quote was highly competitive. Highly recommend Tony and his team!”
Laundry fix and touch up
“The customer service from Smarter Home Renovations is amazing! They could not have been more helpful in fixing and remodelling our laundry. Highly recommend them for any renovation work.”
Laundry Renovation
“Tony and his team did an outstanding job on my laundry renovation. Great workmanship, very professional and knows his stuff. Tony was very easy to deal with throughout the whole process. He was helpful, prompt and on time. I will definitely use them again and highly recommend them.”
Renovating Laundries in Northcote Homes
In a Northcote Victorian or Edwardian house the laundry is often a cold room in the rear lean-to or a separate outbuilding in the yard, while bungalows tend to have it off the kitchen or back porch. Post-war homes usually have a dedicated laundry near the back door, and townhouses and apartments along the main roads have cupboard laundries.
That shapes most of our Northcote laundry renovations: bringing an outdoor or lean-to laundry back into the house, building a mudroom style laundry by the back door with storage for coats and shoes, fitting a cupboard laundry with stacked appliances in townhouses, and replacing old plumbing and troughs. Most internal laundry work doesn’t need a planning permit from Darebin City Council, though we check heritage controls when a laundry moves into an extension.
Northcote at a Glance
- Postcode
- Northcote VIC 3070
- Council
- Darebin City Council
- From the CBD
- About 6 km north-east
- Typical Homes
- Victorian and Edwardian homes
- Californian bungalows
- Post-war brick homes
- Townhouses and apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,675,000
- Median unit price$680,000
- House rent$880 a week
- Unit rent$590 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
Planning a Laundry Renovation in Northcote
Plumbing
Moving the Laundry Out of the Yard
Some Northcote cottages still have the laundry in an outbuilding or a washhouse at the back of the yard. Bringing it inside means finding space near a drain, running new water and power, and deciding what happens to the old building. We look at the sewer location first, because it usually decides where an indoor laundry can go.
Structure
Tired Rear Lean-tos
Lean-to laundries on Northcote period homes were often built cheaply, with little insulation, uneven floors and sheeting that may contain asbestos if it predates 1990. Before planning new cabinetry we check the floor, walls and roof of the lean-to itself, since sometimes rebuilding the space is the better use of the budget.
Waterproofing
Sharing a Room With the Bathroom
In narrower Victorian and Edwardian cottages there may be no room for a separate laundry. A European laundry behind doors in the bathroom, or a shared wet area with the washer and dryer stacked, keeps the plumbing in one place. Waterproofing then needs to cover the whole room, done to the Australian Standard.
Ventilation
Dryers in Townhouses and Apartments
Cupboard laundries in Northcote’s townhouses and High Street apartments often have no window, so a vented dryer simply fills the hallway with moisture. A condenser or heat pump dryer, an exhaust fan ducted outside where the building allows it, and a tap tray under the washer make a small laundry far more practical.
Storage
A Mudroom by the Back Door
Many Northcote families come and go through the back of the house from a rear lane or the garden. A laundry with bench space, hanging rail, boot storage and a bench seat near that door keeps bikes, bags and wet coats out of the living areas, and it fits well into a rear extension.
Get a Free Laundry Estimate in Northcote
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Northcote home.
- 1Tell us about your project
Two quick steps. It takes about two minutes.
- 2We call you back
Tony will be in touch within one business day to talk through your ideas.
- 3Free on-site consultation
We visit, measure up and listen to how you want the space to work.
- 4Fixed-price quote
A detailed, itemised quote. What we quote is what you pay.
No obligation, no pressure
Family-run since 2002. Your estimate is free and your details are never shared with third parties.
Your Laundry Renovations in Northcote
Custom Cabinetry
Built-in storage designed around your space: overhead cabinets, under-bench drawers, broom cupboards, and hidden ironing board solutions.
Trough & Tapware
Laundry trough, basin, and tapware selection and installation. We'll help you choose practical fittings that hold up to daily use.
Tiling & Waterproofing
Professional floor and wall tiling with full wet-area waterproofing, done to Australian Standards so your renovation is protected for the long term.
Appliance Integration
Purpose-built spaces for your washer, dryer, and ironing station, with the right height, ventilation, and access clearance built in from the start.
Electrical & Plumbing
Licensed plumbers and electricians handle all service connections: power points, hot/cold water, waste lines, and dryer ducting.
Ventilation & Lighting
Good ventilation prevents mould and condensation. We install exhaust fans, LED lighting, and ensure the space is bright, fresh, and functional.
Your Northcote Laundry in 5 Steps
Meet & Greet
We get to know you and your specific needs. And you find out more about us to make sure we are a good fit.
Consult & Design
We ask lots of questions to understand your ideal outcome for your project. We discuss layout, budget, colours and more.
Quote
A comprehensive quotation outlining all the details, costs and timelines to complete your project.
Construct & Manage
Time to get to work with all our suppliers and trades to construct your project and deliver it as promised.
Deliver
We strive to deliver your project on time and on budget. We believe in 100% customer satisfaction from start to finish.
Laundry Renovations In and Around Northcote
Northcote (3070) is about 6 km north-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate laundries in Northcote and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Laundry Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Can you move my Northcote laundry from the backyard into the house?
Usually, yes. The deciding factor is how far the new laundry is from the sewer and whether the drain can fall correctly to it. Common spots are the rear lean-to, a hallway cupboard near the bathroom or a new extension. Our licensed plumbers handle the drainage and you receive a plumbing compliance certificate.
Does a laundry renovation in a Northcote heritage area need a permit?
Work inside the house generally doesn’t need a planning permit from Darebin City Council. If the new laundry involves a new window, a door to the yard or an extension, the Heritage Overlay may apply depending on what can be seen from the street. We check this for your address before the design is finalised.
Is a European laundry a good idea in a small Northcote cottage?
It works well in many smaller period homes because it needs only a cupboard depth of space and can sit in the bathroom, kitchen or hallway. The important details are a tap tray or floor waste under the washer, good ventilation and doors that suit the room’s style.
Our old laundry has fibro walls. Is that a concern?
It may be. Fibro sheeting made before 1990 can contain asbestos, which is common in Northcote lean-tos and laundries. It is checked before any demolition, and larger amounts must be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist. We allow for this in your written quote.
Is it worth fixing the laundry before a Northcote home is sold or leased?
In many Northcote cottages and bungalows the laundry is in a rear lean-to or shares a room with the bathroom, sometimes with exposed pipes and a worn concrete floor. Buyers mostly check that it is dry and has room for machines. A sealed floor, a benchtop and good lighting are usually enough. Where a rental has a laundry, Victoria’s rental minimum standards require it to have hot and cold water connected.
Ready to Start Your Renovation?
No matter the project, our team has the right solution. Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation quote, and let's get your renovation underway.