- Utility Room
Utility Room Ideas and Designs
What do I need in my utility room?
Most utility rooms tend to be a small room just off the kitchen or hallway, so you are likely to be working with a compact space. Your main priority will involve planning utility room storage around your white goods. A utility room is usually intended primarily as a laundry room, so it makes sense to first install your plumbed items: the sink, washing machine and, if you have one, tumble dryer. If you run short of space and can’t afford to have a separate washer and dryer, then consider an integrated washer-dryer for your utility design. Built-in storage is a great idea in utility rooms to make best use of the available space, and you might want to also consider built in ironing boards, clothes airers and retractable washing lines. These items tend to be a bit cumbersome and are forever getting in the way, so designing special utility room storage for them or fixing them to a wall so they are easily folded away is an excellent space-saver and well worth the implementation. Free standing items such as laundry baskets and clothes hampers can be tucked neatly under specially designed worktops, and a selection of stacking plastic storage boxes, tins or wicker baskets can be used to help keep the room clutter free.
How do I decorate my utility room?
Decorating an utility room is the ultimate exercise in form meeting functionality. As it’s a room that, alas, invariably people spend a great deal of time in, you will want keep the utility room a calm and clean space. Utility room storage is essential for keeping this area tidy; attractively painted shelves and cupboards can be used to stow away all the bottles and boxes used for laundry and cleaning, as well as appliances such as vacuum cleaners and irons. An attractive country style utility design can be achieved by hanging bright or patterned curtains in front of wall mounted shelves – it will perk up the room and keep clutter hidden away. Floors should be hard-wearing and easy to clean (just think of those dirty boots traipsing in through the back door!) – to this end, stone, tile, laminate or vinyl flooring will be the most low-maintenance and durable. All in all, bear in mind that just because this is primarily a practical space doesn’t mean it needs to be dull – you can inject personality into your utility design in your choices of colour and decorative accessories. Consider quirky signage, blackboards for scribbling down shopping lists, and decorative bottles and boxes for stowing away household bits and bobs.
Do I need a sink in my utility room?
Utility room sinks are designed for those jobs that don’t quite belong in the kitchen – hand washing, dirty boots, watering indoor plants – and typically have a more industrial aesthetic than kitchen sinks. In fact, the iconic butler sink’s originally designated purpose was, as you might imagine, a sink for the butler, who was responsible for washing precious glassware and other items that required special attention and soaking. In case you’ve ever wondered, this is why butler sinks are so deep – for that matter, the only difference between butler sinks and Belfast sinks is the overflow built in to Belfast sinks which don’t feature in butler sinks. If the rustic charm of ceramic sinks appeal to you but your utility room would benefit a less substantial piece, French farmhouse sinks may be the perfect option; cast in French clay to produce a more refined finish, farmhouse sinks can be a thinner, more elegant alternative to their robust counterparts. As well as offering practicality, ceramic sinks make a beautiful statement centrepiece – utility rooms with a country or shabby chic feel will find the perfect complement to rustic wooden units with a butler or farmhouse sink. Smaller sinks are perfectly adequate if your utility room doesn’t demand as much from you, if you do the odd bit of rinsing instead of regularly being elbow-deep in heavy-duty washing. Stainless steel sinks are a practical choice that can withstand the bashing they will get in an utility room set up. Composite sinks are available in granite and quartz variations, both boasting superior durability and damage resistance; to boot, their smooth clean finish lends itself to an ultramodern style utility room.
If you’re still unsure on your utility design, take a look through the hundreds of photos for some utility room ideas from professional designers and other homeowners. You might find a design theme or some utility room storage ideas that will inspire you for your utility room makeover.
Whether you want inspiration for planning an utility room renovation or are building a designer utility room from scratch, Houzz has 79,691 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including Holt and Kuche & Bagno. Look through utility room photos in different colours and styles and when you find an utility room design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful utility room ideas photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.
Kitchen by bulthaup, Mayfair
Photo credit - Alex James Photography
Billy Bolton
utility ideas - walshiewow
Hillersdon Avenue is a magnificent article 2 protected house built in 1899.
Our brief was to extend and remodel the house to better suit a modern family and their needs, without destroying the architectural heritage of the property. From the outset our approach was to extend the space within the existing volume rather than extend the property outside its intended boundaries. It was our central aim to make our interventions appear as if they had always been part of the house.
Hanging rail for drying clothes is vital - ide_hickey
Full height fitted cabinetry with hanging space, belfast sink, granite worktops
l8ve this utility room bright and skylight - sinead_walshe14
Boot room and utility area with bespoke built-in storage.
A space for everything and more!
Utility room (the design not the colour) - roisinmaher58
With a busy working lifestyle and two small children, Burlanes worked closely with the home owners to transform a number of rooms in their home, to not only suit the needs of family life, but to give the wonderful building a new lease of life, whilst in keeping with the stunning historical features and characteristics of the incredible Oast House.
wall mounted clothes horse - ciaramargaret
Sliding door. Too plain. Needs some design - mairshel
Ross Campbell Photographer
Big utility to take coats, shoes, ironing board and space to iron. - webuser_648133365
This property has been transformed into an impressive home that our clients can be proud of. Our objective was to carry out a two storey extension which was considered to complement the existing features and period of the house. This project was set at the end of a private road with large grounds.
During the build we applied stepped foundations due to the nearby trees. There was also a hidden water main in the ground running central to new floor area. We increased the water pressure by installing a break tank (this is a separate water storage tank where a large pump pulls the water from here and pressurises the mains incoming supplying better pressure all over the house hot and cold feeds.). This can be seen in the photo below in the cladded bespoke external box.
Our client has gained a large luxurious lounge with a feature log burner fireplace with oak hearth and a practical utility room downstairs. Upstairs, we have created a stylish master bedroom with a walk in wardrobe and ensuite. We added beautiful custom oak beams, raised the ceiling level and deigned trusses to allow sloping ceiling either side.
Other special features include a large bi-folding door to bring the lovely garden into the new lounge. Upstairs, custom air dried aged oak which we ordered and fitted to the bedroom ceiling and a beautiful Juliet balcony with raw iron railing in black.
This property has a tranquil farm cottage feel and now provides stylish adequate living space.
Contemporary cloakroom and laundry room. Fully integrated washing machine and tumble dryer in bespoke cabinetry. Belfast sink. Brass tap. Coat hooks and key magnet. tiled flooring.
Bathroom with good storage - annmarie_drinan
Marek Sikora
Like the handle less cupboards - rewcullen
David Rannard
Utility
spare wine storage - webuser_745704782
A striking industrial kitchen, utility room and bar for a newly built home in Buckinghamshire. This exquisite property, developed by EAB Homes, is a magnificent new home that sets a benchmark for individuality and refinement. The home is a beautiful example of open-plan living and the kitchen is the relaxed heart of the home and forms the hub for the dining area, coffee station, wine area, prep kitchen and garden room.
The kitchen layout centres around a U-shaped kitchen island which creates additional storage space and a large work surface for food preparation or entertaining friends. To add a contemporary industrial feel, the kitchen cabinets are finished in a combination of Grey Oak and Graphite Concrete. Steel accents such as the knurled handles, thicker island worktop with seamless welded sink, plinth and feature glazed units add individuality to the design and tie the kitchen together with the overall interior scheme.
Washroom - ging_robledo
Property Studios Ltd
Storage units - albeit no need to be this excessive. - ronan_lynch
hooks for utility room - webuser_510944351