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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To get read of utility room/ area off kitchen and make it into a larder?

118 replies

08557lemon555 · 09/02/2024 17:09

Have been craving a larder for years. We never use our utility sink. Would it impact house price if we ripped it out?

OP posts:

Twoshoesnewshoes · 09/02/2024 17:12

Sorry, no help here, I’m watching cos I’m thinking of converting a study into a utility!

Original poster

08557lemon555 · 09/02/2024 17:13

Don’t bother they’re the biggest waste of space.

OP posts:

BobnLen · 09/02/2024 17:14

If you are not planning on selling in the near future I would have your house as you want it, things like that don't usually affect value as the space is still there, it just means that it will appeal to different buyers.

TheChosenTwo · 09/02/2024 17:18

I love our utility, washing machine and tumble dryer, sink for soaking stuff (more often for washing ds football boots), shoe storage, coat racks, tall cupboards for cordless vacuum to be permanently plugged in and all other bits that don’t have a home, hats scarves and gloves…
BUT it works for us. And I’m a big believer in making your house work for you so if you don’t like it change it.
Ive never really understood the point of a larder but maybe if you have a small kitchen or just minimal cupboard space then you need a bit more room.

5foot5 · 09/02/2024 17:21

Yes it probably would affect the value.

I say this because a few years ago we decided to revamp our kitchen and we got in a firm of kitchen designers to come up with ideas. We have a utility and, like you, rarely used the sink in there. So we said we would be open to having the wall between the utility and the kitchen taken out and incorporating the space if that would be an improvement. The designer said he wouldn't advise it as a utility does add value to a house.

In the end we had the sink taken out and replaced with more work surface and used the space underneath for the dishwasher and washing machine. But we kept it separate.

I see though that you are not proposing to get rid of the room altogether, just repurpose it so I suppose that might be different. We had a larder when I was a child and they are certainly handy.

Catza · 09/02/2024 17:52

Are you planning on selling the house? Honestly, I wouldn’t base my decision on the house prices if I wasn’t planning to sell in the next 5 years. I mean, how much value a utility room adds anyway? 5k? I’d rather have a house that works for me now than hypothetical value at some point in the future.
Having said that, I’d love a utility room but don’t see the point of a sink in it. I just need some space to wash and dry my laundry and maybe store large packs of toilet roll.

BrioNotBiro · 09/02/2024 18:16

Remove the sink etc, but don't rip out the actual plumbing/water supply. A future potential purchaser can reconfigure it as a utility room should they want without too much bother.

DilemmaDelilah · 09/02/2024 19:15

Can't you use the space as a utility room AND larder?

Strictlymad · 09/02/2024 19:17

Unless you are moving imminently have your house how you want it!

Createausername1970 · 09/02/2024 19:21

DilemmaDelilah · 09/02/2024 19:15

Can't you use the space as a utility room AND larder?

I was thinking that. I guess it depends on how big the room is, but would some freestanding shelving work? Also, I used to put a large chopping board over my sink when the sink wasn't in use to create more worktop space.

If you covered the sink with something removeable and used removeable shelving, you would have a larder that could very easily become a utility room again if you wanted it to.

MrsBobtonTrent · 09/02/2024 19:23

We made a worktop that fits over our utility sink. Then lots of shelving over the sink, and some heavy duty racking. Still have washing machine in there and hang clothes to dry in there in the winter. So it feels like a utility AND a larder. The sink is quite handy actually as we use it for home brew decanting and canning. Would highly recommend having a sink in your larder!

thehonscupboard · 09/02/2024 19:38

Where will your washer and drier go if you've done this? I think putting them in your kitchen wouldn't be great. If you have a good alternative utility area though, then having a larder would be amazing.

Stacked in a cupboard upstairs, ie. on landing would be good as then you won't need to take washing up and down stairs. For me this would be my preference over a faraway downstairs utility.

Jessforless · 09/02/2024 19:59

I think a utility room is essential. It’s all our pet bowls, extra fridge, storage, coats and shoes.. and of course laundry stuff.

Couldn’t be without it.

britnay · 09/02/2024 20:25

I love our larder and wouldn't do without it :)

Twoshoesnewshoes · 09/02/2024 23:09

Do you all have an external door in your utility room? Do you think it’s essential?

Lastminutedotcomm · 09/02/2024 23:15

Our utility room houses our washing machine, tumble dryer
2x fridge and 1x freezer (plus storage area for ironing board, hoover, clothes dryer etc). Couldn’t be without it and now, genuinely, wouldn’t look at a house without that area!

BobnLen · 09/02/2024 23:41

Our back door is on the utility room but off the utility room is a room where shoes, boots and coats go, next to a toilet room. As long as there is a door near and you are not traipsing through the main house to hang out washing, I suppose it doesn't matter if it isn't off the utility room

minipie · 09/02/2024 23:44

Are your laundry machines in there now and if you make it a larder where will they go?

I would always want laundry out of the kitchen if possible.

If laundry is already somewhere else then I think it doesn’t matter .

Original poster

08557lemon555 · 10/02/2024 07:32

Back door off it. Thinking of putting washer and dryer under big larder cupboards maybe as a compromise but ripping the sink out we never use. But then there is the dog kibble, leads etc and the ironing basket that is never ever looked at but maybe should be a bit more proactive in using, emptying dryer into…. Had Howdens man round but he looked barely older than my teens and wasn’t that inspirational.

OP posts:

BobnLen · 10/02/2024 07:37

I would probably get rid of sink as many utilities don't have sinks anyway and redesign the room to keep the laundry and dog stuff in there with the additional larder cupboards. I wouldn't move the washer and dryer out of the room.

HungryandIknowit · 10/02/2024 07:42

Where would you put your washing? I'm biased as am fed up of having to look at washing the whole time - I wouldn't get rid of a utility. If it will work for you though go for it.

Landlubber2019 · 10/02/2024 07:44

We repurposed our utility room so it has no sink, but contains a big larder cupboard, washing machine and tumble dryer. I love my laundry room and wouldn't choose a house without a utility now.

Original poster

08557lemon555 · 10/02/2024 07:45

Do you all use a laundry basket? It’s not that big a space, utility room is probably a tad over what it is which is more a utility walk through to the back door.

OP posts:

Giveupnow · 10/02/2024 07:45

Our utility is one of the most needed rooms in the house! I would never look at a house without one !

Exhausteddog · 10/02/2024 07:47

We're currently re-doing our utility room. We use the sink a lot (DH for diy/gardening and me for washing dirty trainers/football boots)
We have put in a big cupboard with sliding doors to house the ironing board, laundry bottles, pet food and large food/drink items.
The washing machine, tumble dryer and a small freezer are also in there

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