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5 Inspiring Before and After Utility Room Transformations
Take ideas from these genius renovations to create a smart laundry space
If you’re looking for ways to either improve your utility room or carve out a new one, take a look at these schemes. From a gorgeous design using repurposed pieces and a clever way to glam up standard units to the surprisingly smart decision to make an existing utility room smaller, each example shows its designer’s ingenuity and style eye. Browse these schemes for ideas.
And what a difference Jo has made. The new room is both stylish and well-functioning, but it’s been done in a sustainable and budget-friendly way.
Jo relocated the original Belfast sink to the kitchen to replace a shabby one in there, but retained the tap, teaming it with an inexpensive stainless-steel sink. The swap worked in reverse, too, as the sink surround and open shelves were made from the original kitchen island worktop, while the upstand is an offcut from the new kitchen worktop. “I like to minimise waste if something can be reused,” she says.
By stacking the washing machine and tumble dryer and using most of the vertical space, Jo has managed to pack in laundry appliances, roomy storage, and a freezer.
The renovation process was helped by the use of Houzz Pro software. “For the furniture [and key fittings], the owners could go in and tick off what they did and didn’t want,” Jo says. “It was really helpful to be able to do it that way.”
See more before and after photos of the kitchen-diner and boot room.
Jo relocated the original Belfast sink to the kitchen to replace a shabby one in there, but retained the tap, teaming it with an inexpensive stainless-steel sink. The swap worked in reverse, too, as the sink surround and open shelves were made from the original kitchen island worktop, while the upstand is an offcut from the new kitchen worktop. “I like to minimise waste if something can be reused,” she says.
By stacking the washing machine and tumble dryer and using most of the vertical space, Jo has managed to pack in laundry appliances, roomy storage, and a freezer.
The renovation process was helped by the use of Houzz Pro software. “For the furniture [and key fittings], the owners could go in and tick off what they did and didn’t want,” Jo says. “It was really helpful to be able to do it that way.”
See more before and after photos of the kitchen-diner and boot room.
2. The rip it out and start again transformation
The owners of this period house in a rural village were lucky to have a large utility room next to the kitchen. However, the space was rather gloomy and there was a wall of ugly pipework and electricals.
Houzz is a great place to find the right professional for your project. Read client reviews of renovation experts in your area in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
The owners of this period house in a rural village were lucky to have a large utility room next to the kitchen. However, the space was rather gloomy and there was a wall of ugly pipework and electricals.
Houzz is a great place to find the right professional for your project. Read client reviews of renovation experts in your area in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Designer Alina Tacutanu of Planet Furniture hid the exposed pipes and wires within a bank of beautiful cabinetry that makes the most of the space. The double cupboard next to the washing machine and dryer has shallow internal shelves on the left to accommodate the pipes, then a deeper area on the right. A large fridge-freezer sits to the left of the cupboard.
Alina has made use of the original pipes under the window and created a light area with a roomy sink and plenty of worktop space. Shelves on both sides of the run add to the open feel while offering masses of storage.
She chose pale green for the cabinets, which helps to make the room feel lighter. The colour scheme in here and the kitchen was influenced by the home’s countryside setting. “The property is surrounded by nature,” Alina says, “so I chose a palette of natural earth colours.”
Take a closer look around this room and the kitchen.
Alina has made use of the original pipes under the window and created a light area with a roomy sink and plenty of worktop space. Shelves on both sides of the run add to the open feel while offering masses of storage.
She chose pale green for the cabinets, which helps to make the room feel lighter. The colour scheme in here and the kitchen was influenced by the home’s countryside setting. “The property is surrounded by nature,” Alina says, “so I chose a palette of natural earth colours.”
Take a closer look around this room and the kitchen.
3. The sensible change of use transformation
As you’ve probably spotted, this area in a city flat used to be a shower room. However, as it was off the kitchen, it made much more sense as a utility room, and, of course, the pipework was already there. A clever layout rejig by designer Josephine Lecoufle-Vinet of JLV Design, who the owner contacted through Houzz, freed up the space.
“We decided to create an en suite bathroom in the spare bedroom [instead], so [guests] don’t have to walk through the entire flat to have a shower,” she says.
As you’ve probably spotted, this area in a city flat used to be a shower room. However, as it was off the kitchen, it made much more sense as a utility room, and, of course, the pipework was already there. A clever layout rejig by designer Josephine Lecoufle-Vinet of JLV Design, who the owner contacted through Houzz, freed up the space.
“We decided to create an en suite bathroom in the spare bedroom [instead], so [guests] don’t have to walk through the entire flat to have a shower,” she says.
Josephine removed a partition separating the shower room from a narrow space on the other side that housed the previous owners’ washing machine and dryer, creating a large room next to the kitchen. “It made more sense to have all the laundry stuff and white goods there,” she says.
Now the space holds the laundry appliances, plenty of storage, a sink with roomy work surfaces, and a useful drying rail.
See before and after photos of the whole of this rejigged flat.
Now the space holds the laundry appliances, plenty of storage, a sink with roomy work surfaces, and a useful drying rail.
See before and after photos of the whole of this rejigged flat.
4. The clever budget transformation
This modern house felt a bit soulless to the owner, who likes more of a rustic look, and the utility room was no exception – functional but bland. So he asked designers Shirin Arefi and Natascia Fileppi of Interia Design to help.
This modern house felt a bit soulless to the owner, who likes more of a rustic look, and the utility room was no exception – functional but bland. So he asked designers Shirin Arefi and Natascia Fileppi of Interia Design to help.
The duo created a gorgeous, personalised design for the kitchen-diner, which the owner loved, but he didn’t want to spend too much on the utility room, which is out of the way in the basement. Shirin and Natascia, however, were still able to create a smart scheme on a budget.
The designers used off-the-shelf units teamed with the room’s original quartz worktop, but the genius move was creating a splashback of glittering mother-of-pearl mosaics laid in a herringbone pattern, which really lifts the scheme. As a finishing touch, brass fittings bring warmth.
The process of showing so many products and materials to the owner and getting quick approvals was made much easier with the help of Houzz Pro tools. “We use the Product Clipper and Selections all the time,” Shirin says.
The room now contains a laundry area, linen cupboards, and a walk-in corner pantry for extra kitchen equipment and ingredients – ideal for the family of five.
Discover the whole of this inspiring home renovation.
The designers used off-the-shelf units teamed with the room’s original quartz worktop, but the genius move was creating a splashback of glittering mother-of-pearl mosaics laid in a herringbone pattern, which really lifts the scheme. As a finishing touch, brass fittings bring warmth.
The process of showing so many products and materials to the owner and getting quick approvals was made much easier with the help of Houzz Pro tools. “We use the Product Clipper and Selections all the time,” Shirin says.
The room now contains a laundry area, linen cupboards, and a walk-in corner pantry for extra kitchen equipment and ingredients – ideal for the family of five.
Discover the whole of this inspiring home renovation.
5. The smaller but mightier transformation
It might sound counterintuitive to reduce the size of your utility room, but could the space be put to better use? With this full home renovation by Jane McCarthy of Salt Haven, the move was a clever one, as it unlocked a far better layout.
Making the room smaller allowed for a coats cupboard under the stairs, which in turn made room for better storage in the kitchen.
It might sound counterintuitive to reduce the size of your utility room, but could the space be put to better use? With this full home renovation by Jane McCarthy of Salt Haven, the move was a clever one, as it unlocked a far better layout.
Making the room smaller allowed for a coats cupboard under the stairs, which in turn made room for better storage in the kitchen.
The new utility room is smaller and has no windows, but Jane and homeowner Sarah have managed to fit in all the essentials, including a double sink; an integrated washing machine and tumble dryer; a cupboard under the sink; three wall units and a tall cupboard for the ironing board; a three-tier, wall-hung airer opposite, and a dehumidifier. “It’s a small room, but it’s really efficient,” Sarah says.
And as it’s not a space in which she lingers, she doesn’t miss the natural light.
Learn more about how Jane improved the flow in this Dorset home.
Tell us…
Have any of these transformations inspired you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
And as it’s not a space in which she lingers, she doesn’t miss the natural light.
Learn more about how Jane improved the flow in this Dorset home.
Tell us…
Have any of these transformations inspired you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Before clearing out your old room, consider how many elements could be repurposed to create a whole new look. This Edwardian home in north-west London is a good example of doing just that brilliantly.
The house already had a utility room, but, as you can see, it was pretty tired. The owners found interior designer Jo Kaur Llogarajah of Studio JKL on Houzz and asked her to redesign it, along with the adjoining kitchen-diner.