Utility rooms, boot rooms and other laundry spaces are increasingly sought-after in client projects. Many people choose an open-plan kitchen alongside a utility space so they can keep the housekeeping out of the kitchen. We spoke to Lewis and Sarah, two of our expert kitchen designers, to understand how they approach utility room designs for our clients.
- What’s the first thing you should consider when planning a utility room layout?
Lewis: What is the main purpose of the space? Of course most clients use it as a place to do the washing, but does it need to be more multi-purpose? What else do you plan to do or store in there?
Utilities are often walk-through spaces, so it’s really important to consider how one space will flow to the next in the early design stages. And then, decide if you want it to be an extension of the kitchen or have its own identity?
Sarah: I completely agree, understanding the purpose of the space and how it will most frequently be used is essential. I always try and understand the client’s lifestyle to help me design the space, for example you wouldn’t want clean laundry to be piled next to a sink predominantly designed for dog baths!
- Which colours work best in a utility room?
Sarah: Personally, I really love natural colours like greens, blues and neutrals as they create a calming backdrop in what can often be a busy space.
Lewis: It all depends on the size of the space and if it’s going to be just a utility room! I often recommend colours that hide scuffs, marks and daily life better. The utility tends to be the messy space with washing, recycling, pet items, cleaning bits and so on! Deeper rich tones work well for me as they’re a lot more forgiving in the space, plus they give the room a little more personality. People tend spend a lot of time in the utility space – especially if it’s a bigger family, so they offer a really great opportunity to be playful with colour!
- What is your utility room must-have?
Lewis: Stacked washers and dryers for easy loading! It keeps everything hidden and maximises the floor space available as they tend to be a smaller room.
Sarah: Clever storage is also essential. Laundry rooms can quickly become cluttered so having a home for everything is really important.
- What are the practical considerations to keep in mind?
Lewis: Giving yourself enough space to actually do the laundry! A lot of people forget to consider giving themselves some worktop and prep space. Somewhere to fold washing away and simply rest things.
Sarah: Utility rooms tend to have a smaller footprint so ensuring you are making the best use of space is crucial! This might be stacking the washing machine and tumble dryer or double stacking wall cabinets to make sure you are really getting the most out of it.
- Is there anything else you recommend considering?
Both: Don’t sacrifice on the quality of the utility! This is a space that will work harder than most others in your home, we always advise clients to really think about the space and give it the time (and budget!) it deserves to make it successful.
To discuss your utility project contact our designers today.
