Utility Room Ideas

[BeautifulandWilfulandDead]

My new house has a utility room, which is am very happy about as it's the first time I've ever had one. At the moment though, it's pretty, well, utilitarian and as it's off the main hall and fully visible at all times I'd like to jazz it up a bit. I'd also like to make sure I'm using the space effectively and get a few more elements in there than just the washer dryer. So, what do you use yours for and, if it looks nice, could you share a pic?

Mine is very small but was designed within an inch of its life! I have a tall cupboard which houses the hoover, sweeping brush etc, then a tall narrow shelving unit - there is space at the bottom for the (dirty) washing basket, and 5 shelves above with 5 baskets (one for each member of the family where clean washing is put as it comes out of the dryer). Washer and dryer side by side with worktop over the top then quite a large amount of wall space (with wall mounted fold-away drying rack) and wall cupboards above that (to the ceiling). Those cupboards store things that very rarely make it out - special pots we use on special occasions etc. We also have a notice board in there, the toaster and microwave live in there as I don't have any clutter out on the worktops in my kitchen. Also have shelves where I store all my baking tins / sewing box / laundry stuff / shoe polishing stuff / spare lightbulbs etc.

I'm just doing ours and have stolen ideas from pinterest.

Definitely having a fold-away airing rack in front of a vertical radiator. I've already stacked the tumble dryer on top of the washing machine so there's space for deep drawers under the sink and worktop, it's easier to open a drawer a find the cleaning products than dig into a low cupboard.

Decor wise I'm hoping to use either wallpaper (if I can persuade DH) or some cool prints of fungi. I chose cork flooring so it's practical but warm looking.

How do you stack a tumble dryer on top of a washing machine? Isn’t it too heavy?

We haven’t got space for them side by side so were going to rip cupboards out but if there’s another option that would be good.

@noblegiraffe I think you put a special shelf between them, but wait for somebody with more knowhow to explain properly!

Yes, you can buy a stacking kit which holds them stable. Alternatively you can run a worktop above the washing machine with extra reinforced supports, then put the tumble dryer on that.

Great, thanks, definitely something to look into!

My utility is where the back door is.
I have a tall cupboard for coats-shoes.
Washing machine. Dryer.
Fridge freer
Over the washing machine is the boiler which has a cupboard door hiding it so I keep washing powder fabric condition pegs etc in there
Over the dryer is a cupboard where football miscellaneous bits are stored. Shin pads tape boot bag etc
Got another cupboard next to dryer for random bits. Candles, lightbulbs.
All cupboards are white with black tiled flooring so it looks like a nice room. It's got a loo off it too.

One of the most useful things I put in my utility room is a filing cabinet. Now, all paperwork gets filed away as soon as it arrives or as soon as is dealt with. It's wonderful not having random piles of letters/school reports/bills etc lying round the kitchen for months on end until I get round to taking it to the study upstairs.

Won’t bore you with my contents but I would recommend you think about presentation. I spend a lot of time in mine, doing washing et. I have nice pictures up, I decant washing powder into fancy glass jars. I have put stuff in nice wicker baskets etc etc. Every time I go in it makes me smile.

@Africa2go designing within an inch of its life is exactly what I'm looking for - I need it to be super functional but also not hideous. I'm really up for the idea of one washing basket per person - that would make life so much easier. Just need to persuade DH who doesn't do and therefore doesn't understand laundry (no patriarchy issues - I hardly do any cooking!)

@areallthenamesusedup not sure I will be decanting washing tabs but definitely want it to look nice, and also maximise storage. So many things to fit into one room!

This is mine at the moment - only been in a week so still don't have a better spot to charge the hoover, and DD insisted on a slushie this afternoon - that isn't usually there. Not bothered about keeping the window as it backs onto the side return and doesn't let in much light anyway. Any ideas?

Mine us like a mini kitchen and cloak room in an L shape. So boots and coats along the first l part, then washer, dryer, two down cxupcards and a pull our drawer, sink snd up cupboard on the other part. There's a door tonthe garage abd we've got a spare fridge freezer out there too . Got a drying rack that's pull out over the radiator, plus loads of hooks everywhere. Have a door to house it all behind so it's out the way lol

[quote BeautifulandWilfulandDead]@areallthenamesusedup not sure I will be decanting washing tabs but definitely want it to look nice, and also maximise storage. So many things to fit into one room! [/quote]
Give it time ......

colourful Moroccan tiles to make it cheerful.

carefully designed storage with a place-for-everything.

If you can, have an airer hung from the ceiling (a pulleymaid type one). Clothes dry faster where the heat rises, and you keep your floor clear and it looks more tidy.

It looks a decent size from your pic. Pinterest has some good ideas.

@Africa2go if you don't mind me asking where is your wall mounted fold away drying rack from? I'm on the hunt for one.

Get some shelves up for sure

And a pulley!!! Never mind wall mounted racks it’s a pulley you need. Wouldn’t be without mine.

We have washing machine, tumble dryer, extra freezer, sink, shoe storage and a gun cabinet in ours.

One of those pull down/pull out clothes racks is a great idea. I definitely don't need a gun cabinet.

@NorthernNic I have this one here but not sure you can still get it but there are similar options.

Mine is like a galley kitchen and has French doors onto the drive. It’s shaker style with granite work tops. Plain but rather nice.

On the left hand side we have a big floor willow basket for recycled paper. Another big basket for wellies next door. Above those there is work surface with drawers beneath. Above that there is a built in drying rail. Takes shirts and t shirts - just not full length. At the end of the work surface is a big cupboard for ironing board, hoover, mop, cleaning materials etc. The drawers house torches, light bulbs, batteries, candles, string, etc.

On the right side by the entry door from the hall is a very big radiator. The right hand run of units starts with the wine fridge! Then there’s the cupboard housing a very big sink and deep draining board. I have a tap with a spray fitting on it. The draining board is plumbed into the sink drainage - water from hand washing actually drains away. Then there’s a big open unit with the washing machine below and the tumble dryer above on a sturdy built in shelf. It’s purpose built and no stacking kit - not keen on them! Above is a cupboard for washing liquids etc. I keep vases and shoe cleaning kit under the sink. Above the sink and fridge are open built in boxes for washed clothes and the steam iron lives here. Plus DHs beer and picnic items. So everything has its place but it wasn’t cheap!

Ours is very small 1.6m x 2.4m but with an extra 0.7m square alcove carved off the kitchen (it’s where a useless corner in our L shape kitchen would have been).

We have washer dryer stacked in the alcove. Stacking kit with pull out shelf. Collapsible laundry baskets (brabantia) fit down the side of the stack.
Pulley maid from the ceiling
Electric towel rail for drying odd items on and for extra boost of heat

Tall 60cm broom cupboard which holds hoover, mop, bucket, bag of cleaning products, loo roll etc. It has a plug socket on one wall so my Dyson can charge inside the cupboard out of sight.

60cm undercounter freezer
30cm undercounter wine fridge
30cm wire basket pull out for laundry products
50cm unit with sink. Sink has a lid cut from the worktop, so serves as extra worksurface when not in use. Spray tap.

At the end of the run of cabinets we have our soil pipe boxed in - I see you do too. I put a tall end panel at the end of the cabinets, creating a narrow slot in front of the boxed in soil pipe, and I use that slot to store the ironing board.

I then have two rows of wall cabinets one above the other (ceiling is 2.8m and two rows just fit). These have misc household crap like sewing, shoe polish, medicine, wrapping, picnic stuff, decorations etc. I have shelves above the stacked laundry machines.

Can’t help you on the decor as I am still working out how to jazz mine up! It’s all white at the moment (Luca matt white cabinets from DIY kitchens) with wood look floor. Needs a splashback...

Im planning a doggy shower for our stinky spaniel In ours.