How to transform your utility room into a highly functional hub
Posted on 30th November 2024
The utility, or ‘bootility’, as is often the case, is the hub of miscellaneous activity that extends far beyond piles of laundry. KBB journo Charlotte Luxford shares how to make it work harder…
The humble utility room is actually one of my favourite spaces in our house – every time I hoist up the Sheila Maid, I get a sense of satisfaction that my clothes airer is no longer permanently on display in our main living space.
It’s these clever design solutions that can truly make a difference when designing a utility room. It’s a small but mighty space that often has multiple uses, so maximising the layout and internal storage is key to prevent it from turning into a dumping ground.
In Charlotte Luxford’s own utility room, cabinetry is painted in the same colour as her kitchen. She saved space with tall units and a ceiling-hung Sheila Maid. A reclaimed butler sink from a flea market, at £20, and wooden open shelving made from offcuts from the worktop, complete the look. Utility by Canterwood Joinery. Photography: David Merreweather.
The utility room and its multiple uses
“The location of a utility room can be relatively flexible, as its primary use is often for laundry, however it’s extremely common to integrate a boot room into the utility space, especially if there’s a direct door to the outside, as this allows for additional storage for coats and muddy shoes, as well as an additional sink area for washing,” says Emily Pickett, designer at Kitchens by Holloways.
However, if the utility room is being used more as a ‘back kitchen’, where you have your bins and a dishwasher, Emily advises setting it nearer to the main kitchen for practical purposes.
This chic utility room features Miele appliances, handy wood rails for drying clothes and a statement butler sink. Design by Laura Butler Madden. Achieve a seamless link between your kitchen and utility room by going for the same style of cabinetry. Project by Holland Green.
Storage solutions
More often than not, space is at a premium, so many designers advise stacking your washing machine and tumble dryer, leaving you with more room on your worktops and around your sink. You may also want to integrate a pull-out shelf between your washer and dryer to place your laundry basket.
“Any form of hidden or pull-out features are always extremely popular, with drying cupboards also increasingly in demand, where you can keep your drying laundry out of sight,” adds Emily.
Full-height cabinetry helps to maximise storage space. Here, the clever laundry stack is concealed by doors which can be closed when the appliances aren’t in use. Bespoke Shaker utility room in Eucalyptus; John Lewis of Hungerford kitchens start from £18,000.
Wall-hung designs are your friend in the utility; consider adding a Shaker-style peg rail for baskets, coats, towels, hangers or dustpan and brush, as well as wall-hung drying racks that fold up or pull out.
Open shelving can also be a handy addition to display nicely packaged laundry products and provide a styling opportunity, adding personality to your space.
Opt for a light colour scheme to help make the space feel open and bright. Nickleby cabinetry in Trim by Humphrey Munson with Miele laundry appliances. Photography: Paul Craig. Utility Rooms start from £18,000, excluding appliances.
It’s all about built-in cabinetry and what you can stash away behind closed doors. A designer will be able to help you maximise every inch of your utility room and come up with clever space-saving or bespoke solutions, whether that’s a built-in pet feeding and washing station for the dogs, or an integrated shoe storage and bench seat.
Storage is crucial in a utility room – make sure your designer optimises every inch of space with clever use of furniture. Roundhouse utility room in matt lacquer Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster with Silestone Blanco Zeus worktop.
Whether you’re trying to maintain that Victorian scullery aesthetic or you want a clutter-free, minimalist look, concealing your appliances in tall units is often recommended, again, with pocket doors that recess into either side of the cabinet, to maximise space and accessibility.
The ready-made Laundry Stacker larder in Indigo from LochAnna Kitchens conceals washers and dryers. It has a pull-out retractable shelf for the laundry basket, while a tall space to the side houses an ironing board. Priced £1287.
Inspiration gallery
Who says bootilities can’t be playful and bold? Embrace colour and pattern for a stand-out look. Design by David L Douglas & Amber Yard Interiors featuring 5100 Vanilla Noir worktops by Caesarstone.David Gandy’s utility room includes a second sink and tap, and Abu Dhabi White Silk sintered stone surfaces by Neolith, which boost its practicality factor. Design by Bakehouse Kitchens. Photography: Simon Archer.If you’ve got ample space in your utility room, maximise storage through a mix of cupboards, shelves and drawers. Choose a sumptuous colour such as Kensington Blue CC-780, from £20 per 0.94 litres, Benjamin Moore, for a sophisticated look.Sink skirts are all the rage right now. Why not add personality to your utility room while concealing the storage area beneath? Walls in Woodsmoke, and cabinetry in Catkin, from £28 for 1 litre of Pure Matt each, Fenwick & Tilbrook.With the help of bespoke solutions, you can create a dedicated corner for your furry friend. You can keep all of their essentials in one place. The Hartford collection in Chicory, from £25,000, Tom Howley.You can add a dog shower station to your bootility, to keep muddy paw prints out of the house. It can be raised up for smaller or medium breeds. Plus, a floor-mounted tray can be used for larger, heavier breeds. An inexpensive Belfast sink is ideal for this task. Hush Kitchens start from £12,000.Your flooring choice is important in such a high-traffic room, so make sure you look for hard-wearing, durable solutions. Galston flooring, £61.95 per sq m, Havwoods.A pastel-toned utility room by Sheraton Interiors, painted in Shrimp Pink by Little Greene, with gold hardware from Corston Architectural Detail, and a farmhouse sink. The compact and organised space is equipped with a stacked washer and dryer, along with a pull-out drawer for placing your washing basket on.In this Kensington project, Ledbury Studio created a utility room, with a cloakroom at the end. The rich but practical ombre quartz worktop stands out against the pale-oak storage cabinets. Ledbury Studio kitchens start from £70,000.Don’t like having your laundry appliances on show? Keep a clean and seamless look by hiding them inside your cabinetry run. Unity kitchen, from £12,000, Second Nature.Masterclass Kitchens’ Laundry VelaBin starts from £639 for a full cabinet. Shown here in Legrabox R-Design – incredibly practical in a utility room.
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