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Utility rooms-can we have a “things we have learned”

85 replies

JudgeRindersMinder · 11/04/2021 18:04

There are brilliant threads on lessons learned for installing kitchens and bathrooms. I can create a utility room in my new house (way too excited by this Grin) and would appreciate any tips about things that definitely work or don’t work in utilities

OP posts:
Chillychili · 12/04/2021 20:27

We have a chest freezer in ours. Don’t know how I lived without it. I watch a YouTuber who has the most amazing utility, she has an IKEA unit with a box for every member of the family so when she sorts washing she puts it in the correct box, and the kids can get their own washing.

Like this
www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/kallax-shelving-unit-white-80275887/

Caspianberg · 12/04/2021 20:31

@ICouldHaveCheckedFirst - we haven’t space in our utility, but I would like ironing board to be able to go up there as I’m terrified of children swanning past and burning themselves. So il only iron in a room I can close stair gate fully behind me.

inappropriateraspberry · 12/04/2021 20:40

I like ironing in front of the tv - I'd hate to be stuck on my own in the utility!

2bazookas · 12/04/2021 20:52

I recommend an old fashioned ceiling drying rack on a pulley.

weasle · 12/04/2021 20:55

Great thread, thanks all.

My utility just about finished. Realised with a panic reading this I have forgotten storage for mop bucket! Have factored in ironing board space but too narrow for bucket!

I am planning pulley maid, have socket in cupboard for small vacuum, and tall unit with drawers for batteries, shoe polish, cleaning things, simple tools, bulbs. Extractor fan. Shelves for spare vases and plant pots, small watering can. Big sink. Coats and shoes on opposite wall and tall unit for gloves, hats, sun cream. Good idea to keep swimming stuff there too thanks PP.

JudgeRindersMinder · 13/04/2021 10:20

@2bazookas

I recommend an old fashioned ceiling drying rack on a pulley.
That’s at the top of my list!!
OP posts:
minipie · 13/04/2021 22:30

My utility just about finished. Realised with a panic reading this I have forgotten storage for mop bucket! Have factored in ironing board space but too narrow for bucket!

weasle will you have a broom cupboard and if so how tall is it? I have one that’s as tall as my wall units (so about 2.1m) and there’s enough height for a shelf space big enough for the bucket, then a small shelf space (I use this for loo rolls) and then the mop and hoover under that.

BiddyPop · 14/04/2021 09:44

Ours is only a cupboard sized room, no window - so we also stacked the washing machine and condenser tumble dryer.

We put 2 shelves along the side, running front to back along the depth of the machines. The bottom shelf is high enough off the floor that the brush and mop fit under it, and they are narrow enough that the legs of the ironing board (just) fit between the shelf and machines. The basket (and long BBQ tools and 2 ikea peg octopuses) live on top of the dryer).

The shelves have enough space for the various cleaning liquids, washing tablets, colour catcher sheets etc to live. With more rarely used items (ant powder for summer, re-waterproofing wash for coats etc) up high at the back.

We have an Ikea holder for the iron screwed into the wall lower down (take iron out and can remove the ironing board, but it's low down enough that the mop/brush can come out over the top without removing iron). And right above that, just over the light switch, we have a dyson chordless station (the vaccuum itself swings out just in front of the machines to take it out to use). So have packed a lot into that small space.

If i had more space, I would do things differently for sure - but that was all the space we had. Having the light is useful at times to see what's up on the shelves. And even though the shelves are very narrow and run away from you, they are surprisingly useful.

BiddyPop · 14/04/2021 09:46

I use the kitchen basin as my mop bucket (I have a pad rather than a string head type mop) so don't need space for it.

steppemum · 14/04/2021 10:21

@Changingwiththetimes

Number one: have it on the floor with the most bedrooms.
you see I would hate this.

I am downstairs during the day, and so I go in and out, sticking washing on, hanging it up etc, and would really NOT want my washing machine upstairs.

I have my wm and dryer side by side with worksurface above. I like having a worksurface in there.
I also have a pulley dryer up by ceiling. I have a pole too, and can hang loads and loads of stuff on hangers on the pole.

No. 1 on my priority list is a sink.

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