A great utility room takes on the qualities of its owner. Utility rooms are a place to store muddy boots, house pet baskets, and for hanging coats. They can also serve as extra kitchen storage for storing those cumbersome pans and pots, an extra fridge or freezer or even a sink. For many of us, utility rooms are where we also store bulky laundry appliances, freeing up space in the basement and keeping the noise away from the main house.
These rooms can make life that much simpler when carefully planned. According to Touch Design Group’s Dom Roberts, beautifully-designed utility spaces can lower the stress of having to deal with daily chores, making regular tasks more efficient – and with proper planning – almost gratifying. It is all about creating a beautiful and harmonious “work” setting that feels good to be in and which functions as purposed.
Why Do You Want a Utility Room?
If it is for storing food, then make sure that it is easily accessible from the kitchen so you can grab things you want while cooking with ease. If you want it to house a washing machine, make sure it has a door that you can use to get outside and hang your clothes. It is essential that you take the time to consider your needs so you can design the room around them.
Maximise Existing Space
You do not have to extend your property to create space for the room. Alternatively, you could section off a part of your kitchen by adding a doorway and building a stud partition wall. However, avoid doing this if it means forfeiting too much kitchen space, as doing so could reduce your home’s value.
You could also consider using Electric Heating Expert to get more out of your heating, and save on space that way.
Another option is using part of your garage if it is connected to your home. Depending on the size of your garage, you could either split it or use the entire space (if you do not use it to park your cars) to create a spacious utility room.
What is the Best Location?
Many people think that a utility room belongs on the ground floor. However, these rooms work best when they are situated where they will work hardest. If you plan on using the room for drying, ironing and washing, Lisa Melvin, an interior design expert, recommends that you situate it upstairs where it is nearer to the bedrooms for easier redistribution of clean, dry and ironed laundry.
If you go with the upstairs laundry room option, consider creating a spacious boot room downstairs that you can use to store muddy shoes and wet coats. Ms Melvin suggests incorporating a small shower area where you can rinse off dirty pets and sports equipment.
No Space?
If you are tight on space, then a utility cupboard within your kitchen could still work well. However, this could mean that you will not be able to separate washing and cooking. Nevertheless, you could always find room for your utility cupboard in dead space areas like in a hallway or under the stairs. It is, however, essential to ensure that the space you settle for has access to water, drainage, and electricity.
Also, do not overlook existing rooms. Lisa explains that Europeans often have their washing machines installed in the bathroom and also work well when installed in guest rooms.
Plan Your Space
Proper storage is crucial when it comes to utility rooms as it helps keep the space orderly and ensures that it suits your lifestyle. When planning utility room storage, take the time to consider the items that you plan on storing in there. What do you want to store in the room? Laundry products only, or kitchen utensils and food too?
Whatever your decision, it is advisable that you have full-height cupboards installed to maximise on space, so you have storage for taller items such as brooms, ironing boards, and mops. Tony prefers including lots of drawers for batteries, bulbs and fuses for an easily-accessible, well-organised spares space and his customers love the idea.
Steve, on the other hand, suggests that you also plan for a place to store your coats and shoes if you will be accessing the outside of your property from the room. You could consider adding a bench that people can sit on when taking off their shoes.
