Utility room newbie

[blessedenough]

We will be moving into a new house shortly and it has a utility room. It's 10x6ft and it has some units and a sink, as well as the boiler. It's practically the same size as my current kitchen. I want to use it for laundry, spare fridge, storing additional items and as a control centre - organising kids stuff, paperwork etc.

Does anyone have any top tips? Thanks in advance

[GoddessWhoWalksEarthAsWoman]

We've got the washing machine, high up washing line and dishwasher in ours so we can put all the messy noisy stuff in there and shut the door.

[wowfudge]

Stack tumble dryer on top of washing machine. Storage - depending on what's already there, IKEA have some great utility room shelving and stuff. I wouldn't put the dishwasher in the utility room unless there is absolutely no way of fitting it in the kitchen - it means carrying everything around to stack the thing, never mind when emptying it. Next to the sink is the most convenient place.

[blessedenough]

Thanks everyone I will check out IKEA. There are some cupboards but I would like to add some additional storage. Stacking tumble drier on washing machine sounds good, does it need to be on a shelf or something, to ensure it won't just wobble off - potentially stupid question!

I do fancy a ceiling mounted airer, it will be great not to have washing draped everywhere. I am very excited!!

[cozietoesie]

How disciplined are you? What you've said sounds great but my own experience is that having a 'catch-all' room - especially one that includes kids stuff and/or DIY equipment - can lead to scenes like one of those hoarding programmes unless you aim to do very regular clearouts or have an iron will.

[blessedenough]

We will also have a double garage and weird store room. So I envisage diy stuff etc out there - could even put my excess used once a year stuff- ie exceeding large collection of party table ware, used aprox 3 times a year!

Utility room for laundry, excess kitchen stuff like bread maker and food prcesser. I am looking to create a post and everyday house administration area- massive calander, area for pens,wrapping paper, scissors etc - all the stuff I currently have to hunt for in order to use it.

To answer your question I am not massively disciplined but in order to sell this house, I decluttered by about half then put half of what was left into storage, this has been life changing only having a week or so's clothes means I am no longer drowning in laundry and I am severely tempted to do a charity run rather than move it in into new house!

We have students to stay so sometimes our household doubles so additional fridge and freezer space would be fab and stop the every other day food shopping - current kitchen tiny. New house has no proper porch or entrance hall so hoping to store wellies, wet weather gear etc. I want a small space to do a lot don't I????

[cozietoesie]

You are, rather - but if you've decluttered, you might manage to control it.

Lots of storage as PPs have recommended. My own laundry/work room - larger than yours - has floor to ceiling shelves where possible (a 'system' from somewhere like IKEA) and we use all of it most of the time, paying appropriate regard to loading etc.

Sorts are still necessary I find because in real life, even if you have designated areas to put things, you still tend to dash in and dump something if you want to get it out of the way from the main drag so the content of shelves can be a tad fluid.

It's very doable though. I'd just be careful to control any acquisitive tendencies along the lines of 'Oh we can keep that (unnecessary) thing - it can just go in the utility!' And watch out that you don't get lumbered by friends or family with spare things that they think you might need or can store - it will feel like having a spacious new palace to play in right now but it's amazing how quickly you adjust to extra space and resent that it's not just that wee bit bigger.

Lots of luck.

[blessedenough]

Thanks cozie we have already filled our 3 bed house which seemed massive when we moved in pre kids and naively thought we would never rn out of space!! I have read the kondo book and have been putting it into action whilst packing, loft has gone from 20 boxes to 2. Very happy as are !ocal charity shops!!

[cozietoesie]

Well done.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

Our utility is quite a damp and steamy room, I wouldn't keep paper in there (except recycling).

Laundry system of washer, dryer, shelf for powder etc, drying racks, ironing board

Chest freezer, also used as clothes folding point. Has the advantage you cant leave stuff there

Boot rack and coat hooks for wet weather clothes.

Anything dry must be in a cupboard...

[blessedenough]

Thanks everyone, we don't move in for a month but I am already stupidly excited! Turned on by a utility room, how times change eh?

[cozietoesie]

Probably best to keep up with the decluttering if you still have a month to go and while you're packing for the move. Things tend to 'stick' once they get into a new house so it's a good idea to do as much as possible now. (And less to haul around!)

Good luck.

[blessedenough]

That's the plan but a little voice in my head keeps saying to keep it as I will now have room to store stuff!!! Must fight the urge!

[wowfudge]

I keep wrapping paper in a Really Useful box designed for the purpose - bought from Argos. That would be a good way of storing wrapping paper on a shelf in your utility room OP.

[cozietoesie]

Just remember what you said earlier.

...we have already filled our 3 bed house which seemed massive when we moved in pre kids and naively thought we would never rn out of space!!...

Trust me - you haven't got the room. (Or won't have within a few months.)

Stay strong.