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Original poster

Is a utility total futility?

38 replies

Enterthewolves · 02/05/2019 08:21

I know this has been done to death but we’re mid- extension and having a wobble. DH is thinking we should bin off the utility and have a larger kitchen space, I would like the utility as I hate laundry drying all over the house. Is the kitchen space at 4m by 3m going to feel too small? (I think that sounds pretty big.) The utility is 1.5m x 2.96m.

Is a utility total futility?
OP posts:
FiremanKing · 02/05/2019 08:23

I like a utility area/room/space and would prefer that over a bigger kitchen.

IHeartKingThistle · 02/05/2019 08:25

I love having a utility room.

mum2015 · 02/05/2019 08:26

Keep the urility. It can hide so many things like vacuum cleaner etc which you don't want to be on display. Our kitchen will be 4.4x2.6 and I am keeping a separate utility. A tidy smaller kitchen is better than a messy bigger one.

Bubblysqueak · 02/05/2019 08:28

Keep it, love having somewhere I can throw everything in 10 min before guests arrive and I can close the door on it.
Also handy as we don't hear the washing machine or tumble dryer.

Hiphopopotamous · 02/05/2019 08:28

Love having a proper utility room. Keep it separate!

downcasteyes · 02/05/2019 08:30

I have a tiny utility and I love it! Reasons

  • In an open-plan space it's lovely to be able to shut the door and screen out the noise of the washing machine. Seriously, this is really useful
  • It's great to have a place to wash and clean really dirty stuff that isn't the kitchen
  • I can leave things to drain in the sink without them being out and 'on show' meaning my kitchen is always immaculate
  • It comes in all kinds of useful with various science projects that I really do not want cluttering up the rest of my nice clean house! Grin
  • The extra walls actually create a massive amount of additional storage space.
Magmatic80 · 02/05/2019 08:30

Utility room hides a multitude of bulky things that don’t fit in cupboards, vacuums, mop, car washing buckets, ubiquitous bag of bags, brexit box, not to mention all the washing paraphernalia. It’s a room of joy, keep it!

SecondHandTicking · 02/05/2019 08:33

3x4m is plenty for a kitchen space that doesn't need a table, WM, tumbly etc.

Original poster
Enterthewolves · 02/05/2019 08:33

I love all of you, thank you. DH should be reassured.

OP posts:
TheTreeHearsYourSecret · 02/05/2019 09:09

Mine is teeny, about 1.5m long so just long enough for a washing machine and tumble dryer next to each other, but it has a door to the outside so everything is on that one wall.

I have a huge worktop to ceiling shelving unit above the washing machine and tumble dryer, thank you Ikea, and it stashes all the recycling bins (glass, tetra, cardboard/tins,) plus a tub for all dirty tea towels from the kitchen.

I have a hanging rail to dry Dh's shirts plus I can slide an airer dryer up the side of the washing machine and can leave it folded but still put clothes on it like jumpers that can't be hung up.

I would not be without it and I can close the door on the noise. Bliss.

Itscoldouthere · 02/05/2019 09:14

Yes keep the utility, one of the most important rooms in the house as far as I’m concerned. I hate laundry and sometimes just shut the door on it all for a few days, other times my utility is all tidy and lovely.
I don’t really like washing clothes in the kitchen, it’s just too messy and takes up too much room if you have a washer and dryer.

mum2015 · 02/05/2019 11:27

Why do you have between utility and stairs. Can you access understairs cupboard from untility and move wall between utility and kitchen closer to stairs . Which gives you slightly bigger kitchen.

moreismore · 02/05/2019 11:30

I have nothing useful to add but your thread title is very pleasing Grin

Moonsick · 02/05/2019 11:47

Yes keep the utility!

Ours has all the clutter hidden away in there : recycling bins, mops, ironing board etc. Especially good for keeping big bags of dirty washing out of the kitchen, which was a big problem in my old house.

It's where I feed the cats, put my seedlings from the garden etc.

Having another sink is so useful if you can fit one in there- leaving things to soak, cleaning dirty/contaminating things like the food waste bin, or dirty shoes or the vomit bucket.

I can run the washing machine and tumble drier and watch TV in the kitchen diner without the sound up to deafening levels!

It's also a good isolation room when the cats are sick or injured, which obviously might not apply to you, but was a godsend when my cats were really unwell and needed peace in a busy/loud household and weren't allowed outside.

Also good for dumping dirty plates/glasses during parties, plus just general dumping of stuff to keep the main house looking clear and tidy.

HollowTalk · 02/05/2019 11:54

It's taking things out of the kitchen, so there's no need for such a big kitchen. And would you otherwise have somewhere for laundry baskets, vacuum cleaners, ironing boards etc?

MrsMozartMkII · 02/05/2019 11:56

KEEP THE UTILITY!

Wouldn't like to not have one now. All the shit lives in there. No more trying to make dinner and contend with piles of laundry, or finding muddy boots in the sink, or dog coats being dried on a radiator. It all Goes In The Utility!

I think I might be a little bit obsessed...

thecatsthecats · 02/05/2019 12:07

Our kitchen is about the same square footage as 4x3m, and it's huge - including the stuff you'd put away in a utility!

(it's gorgeous, but actually really badly planned - I would LOVE to redesign it with a discrete utility/pantry space, and leave the kitchen to the rest - it would still be above average size)

Trippedupagain · 02/05/2019 12:15

Currently selling our house where the utility is really big, enough for all white goods, boots, coats, dog stuff, storage, mess, etc. Of all the lovely things about this house, this room is what I will really miss the most. I love it. New house just has a big kitchen and I know it's going to look a complete tip all the time.

SurfnTerfFantasticmissfoxy · 02/05/2019 12:15

Absolutely keep it - I'd go further though. That whole stair / boiler cupboard / corridor arrangement is an awful waste of space. I'd make the stairs a straight run from the bottom (not side entry) and then extend the utility to incorporate the boiler cupboard. Move the door into the utility to the kitchen.

The bigger space will be really useful for kitchen appliances you don't want to see (slow cooker / bread maker / blender etc) can be used to store bulk purchases and if you include a ceiling airer (pulley maid) can utilize any residual heat from the boiler / pipes to dry clothes. You can even fit in a second fridge or dishwasher which can be handy at Christmas time as so on.

Is a utility total futility?
Original poster
Enterthewolves · 02/05/2019 15:54

@moreismore - why thank you
@mum2015 - we can’t move the hall wall unfortunately- it is load bearing and all the steels are in already.
@SurfnTerfFantasticmissfoxy I love that idea but the original plans before we had to put a huge water tank under the stairs was to do something similar but DH would not countenance ‘boxing in’ the stairs - bannisters you can see through are v important to him...

OP posts:
wowfudge · 02/05/2019 16:04

I love a separate utility room and wouldn't buy a house without one now. Ours is a cellar room and has a bank of storage shelves, cupboard and drawers and a large wine rack 😸. I keep an airer up permanently. We have washing machine, tumble dryer and a sink with draining board in there.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 02/05/2019 17:00

Keep the Utilty!
But I would have door into Utilty at the narrow end, straight from kitchen.
Your plan means going out into hall the back into utility

JimmyJazz · 02/05/2019 17:08

Wow, that’s a huge space (we’re also mid-conversion with far less space to play with), definitely keep the utility!

SoHotADragonRetired · 02/05/2019 17:11

I C what u did there

Utilities are the biz. Have one. Mine is small but I love it for all the reasons previously mentioned. I also have a ceiling-hung maiden. I still love never having to dry things in the living room/kitchen.

downcasteyes · 02/05/2019 17:12

Great point Breakfast, the doors as a whole look like they could use more thought! The existing dining room door looks like it would make a better entrance than the new one...