Help with DIY Kitchens (utility) design! (with photo)

[millefeuille2]

I am hoping to update our utility using DIY Kitchens. It's a single run of cabinets, comprising a washing machine (600mm), single unit with sink (500mm), and double base unit (800mm). The sink is IN-LAG400 which measures 400x400mm.

The entire wall measures 2215mm, and we need to leave space for pipes to the left of the WM (100mm) and right of double base unit (160mm). See drawing.

I wasn't going to get filler, as the builders are going to box in the pipes/create custom solutions for those gaps.

I'm getting a Minerva worktop elsewhere. I'm assuming 600mm depth unless someone tells me I must go for 650mm!

Have I used the space wisely? Are there changes you'd suggest, anything I'm missing? Is the sink the right size for the unit?

Thank you so much for any help.

Is a tall cupboard an option? For ironing board, mop and bucket etc?

Have you got a drier somewhere else? (If it's a washer dryer I'd move the sink over so you have worktop space adjacent). Any need for upper cabinets? I wish I'd chosen more.

I'd consider a bigger sink, in the double base unit and then the single cupboard. Probably swapping the 2 units round.
I'd personally also want to make the units 450 + 900 so they are all equal, but I'm funny about symmetry.

@meateatingveggie that's such a good idea BUT where would it go? The WM's location is fixed (I assume) as that's where the pipes are. On the RHS we have the boiler on the wall so no space there either.

Yes to both pp, symmetry and a tall cupboard better, if you can.

@Nyfluff we don't have a drier and don't expect to get one. That's one fewer thing competing for space!

@Chasingsquirrels DIYK doesn't have the option of a 450 sink unit! I'm with you on symmetry, this bothered me too.

I put a small sink in our utility recently and it was a mistake. The utility sink is where you do big, mucky jobs and our standard sized sink in there just isn't large enough.

We used DIY kitchens for the utility and are really pleased with the finished quality. I ordered extra end panels and our builder used them to create a housing for the stacked washing machine and tumble dryer with a top box cupboard and door above the tumble dryer.

I have a tall cupboard wide enough for the washing machine in the bottom, ironing board and mop next to it and shelves above the machine for loads of stuff.

Can't see the machine either ( or hear it)

But do they have a 900 sink unit (it has to be big enough, but doesn't matter if it is too big) and 450 normal unit?

Wall cupboards?

Hooks on wall for ironing board and apron etc

What’s your plan for drying? We put the tumble drier on the surface, above the washer. Is epic.

If I could do it all again I would have a washing line that folds out from one wall (or pulls down from ceiling) plus underfloor electric heating plus built in dehumidifier.

Bigger sink…

Also consider less hnder counter cupboards and instead having an undercounter freezer. Spare freezer is awesome for batch cooking.

The reason for not getting a bigger sink is that we currently have a single and it's been absolutely fine. We have two young children but they're quite tidy/clean and nobody plays mucky sports (yet...). I'm worried about the loss of storage space if I put the sink in the double unit.

I will investigate a tall cabinet that can house the WM in the lower half and be storage in the upper! Thank you for this.

I'm not 100% sure about wall units. It's a small space and I worry it'll become claustrophobic with loads of cabinets on one wall.

We will be getting a clothes maid that lowers from the ceiling, plus we have a normal air drier that sits out permanently (hence not much space!).

We used to have a freezer there! But it would mean a lot less storage 😞. We do have another spare freezer but all the way in the attic rather than utility (which is right next to the kitchen, much handier).

I liked the idea of a corner shelf like in this photo, rather than wall units. Would it make sense to buy end panels from DIYK and get the builders to make the shelves from that?

Bump! Grateful for any other input

I’d put a door in front of the washing machine then the asymmetry is less obvious and makes the machine quieter.

I’d put units above the sink, or if that interferes with the pull down dryer, open shelves.

You don’t have to have a tall cupboard for mops etc, you can just put a set of hooks on the wall to take all your mops, dusters, ironing board etc.

Is there a clever mop bucket solution? It's a fugly old grey thing.

If I put a door on the WM, will I need to get a 650mm deep worktop rather than standard 600mm?

Hmm good question, possibly. I had a door on the washing machine and dryer in my old place (not integrated) but I can’t remember the depth. In my current place the washer/dryer is integrated. You’d have to ask.

Some ideas for you:

1. As you are having a solid worktop, and an undermount sink, you can have what I have which is a “lid” carved out of the worktop which fits back in to the worktop and covers the sink when not in use. So you get workspace back. You also need a tap which can be swung against the wall to keep it out of the way, but that’s most taps.

Highly recommend. The tricky bit is finding a worktop supplier who is happy to do it (local independent more likely than big national).

2). Could you have a tall cupboard on the right where the boiler is, with the boiler sitting inside the tall cupboard. (cupboard will be 600 deep, boilers are usually 450 max). Your hoover, broom, mop, bucket etc can go in the bottom half and tall mop/broom handles can sit happily in front of the boiler, which only needs accessing every so often. Fitter can easily remove the top half of the cupboard back.

3. I would definitely get wall units. We have a tiny utility and the wall units don’t make it claustrophobic, we did go for white handleless (Luca matt white) for this reason though. If you don’t get wall units I guarantee you’ll end up putting up shelves, racks or with stuff all over the surface which will look messier and IMO more claustrophobic. Also if you have wall units, you might be able to fit in a small freezer which I 100% recommend.

Back in a sec with more ideas.

Further ideas:

swap base cupboards to drawers whereever you can as they are so much more efficient for storage, you can use the full depth.

So for example you could have: 600 w/m, 500 sink unit, 600 drawer unit, 600 broom cupboard. Or 600 w/m, 800 sink unit w/drawers (the top u shaped drawer is a good place for laundry and cleaning liquids), 400 drawers, 500 broom cupboard.

Ceiling pulley maid is brilliant, make sure you know where the joists are to attach it to. Could you get a two tier one and do away with the floor standing rack? Or a pull out wall airer instead?

@minipie thank you so much, I appreciate the advice. The boiler is unfortunately fixed on the wall adjoining that with the run of units, so I don't think a tall cabinet would work. But I'll definitely rethink wall units. I was thinking shelves before, like the attached photo, but agree it could look messy.

A pull out wall airer is a good idea, but I don't think it would have enough rows for a full wash. I only intend to use the ceiling maid for sheets and larger items, and the floor one for normal washes.