Renovation Experts Offered Advice on Laundry Design

Steph Ottavio and Carl Swanson shared tips to prioritise function and ventilation in home laundry renovations.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Home Organization

Renovation Experts Offered Advice on Laundry Design

Live Poll

Is it a good idea to prioritize expensive finishes when renovating a laundry room?

Following her 2023 victory on The Block, Steph Ottavio has advised homeowners to focus on functionality when renovating laundry spaces to manage costs. Expert builder Carl Swanson added that proper ventilation is essential for preventing long-term damage in these high-humidity areas.

Why it matters

Renovating laundries often leads to significant overspending on luxury finishes rather than practical layout improvements. Proper planning and technical considerations help homeowners avoid common issues like mould and lint accumulation while keeping budgets under control.

Contestants on The Block spent as much as $39,029 on rumpus and laundry renovations, with winners managing to complete their projects under the $40,000 limit. Steph Ottavio suggests choosing natural stone to reduce costs.

The players

Steph Ottavio

She is a reality television contestant who won the 2023 season of The Block.

Carl Swanson

He is a professional builder and a specialist in the installation of Velux skylights.

The details

Steph Ottavio, who successfully integrated a laundry into an oversized garage during her winning 2023 season, recommends relocating laundries into living areas for better flow. Carl Swanson notes that laundries are often placed in undesirable spots to prioritise views, making the installation of opening skylights a vital solution for daylight and airflow.

Steph Ottavio participated in and won The Block in 2023.
Renovation advice was issued by Steph Ottavio and Carl Swanson in October 2026.

Culture Shift

The trend towards integrating utility rooms into main living zones marks a departure from traditional home layouts that hide laundries in back corners. This shift reflects a broader focus on home organisation that prioritises daily efficiency and improved natural light over purely aesthetic additions.

Homeowners should evaluate their current laundry ventilation to ensure it adequately prevents condensation and mould buildup. By shifting focus from luxury finishes to layout integration, renovators can achieve significant savings in their next home project.

The takeaway

Prioritising ventilation and smart spatial planning ensures your laundry room remains a functional asset rather than a source of maintenance issues. Investing in practical upgrades like opening skylights provides better long-term value than expensive decorative finishes.