There’s a quiet luxury in a home where even the most mundane chores feel thoughtful, where laundry doesn’t disrupt and muddy boots don’t leave a trail. Designing a bespoke utility room or boot room isn’t just about adding functionality; it’s about crafting a space that feels naturally beautiful, even in its busiest moments.
Explore how to fuse practicality with beauty from clever laundry zones and hidden storage to welcoming boot benches. Let your utility space evolve from an overlooked corner into the highlight of your home, shaping a place that works hard and looks considered.
1. Zoned Laundry Areas
What if your laundry area felt less like an afterthought and more like a considered nook?
Designing a dedicated laundry zone within your bespoke utility room or kitchen space means thoughtful planning of appliances, prep space and storage. Stack or elevate your washer and dryer in cabinetry to save your back and free up floor space.
Include a deep sink nearby: it’s invaluable for soaking clothes, rinsing muddy items or even washing boots after a walk. Pair it with durable, easy-clean surfaces: a splashback that runs full height will protect your walls from detergent and steam.
2. Essential Hidden Storage
Some of the smartest luxury home designs seamlessly conceal hidden storage behind elegant joinery. Designers are increasingly using full-height cabinetry, drawer inserts or bi-fold doors, and panels that match surrounding woodwork to disguise storage areas.
Whether in your luxury kitchen or a bespoke boot room, hidden storage is the most practical solution to keep your home looking spotless. Life in a busy family home can feel chaotic, so designing furniture that works harder for you can bring a welcome sense of calm.
Expert Tip: If your bespoke storage solution hides laundry, invest in proper ventilation or an extractor to keep the space functional for many years. Consider integrated laundry hampers or pull-out compartments in boot rooms for shoe storage or dog supplies. The key is to keep each space zoned and organised.
3. Vertical Storage: Tall Cabinets & Peg Rails
When space is limited, the eye naturally goes up – and so should your storage. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry is a hallmark of well-designed utility rooms. Designers recommend tall units for stowing vacuum cleaners, mops, ironing boards and other appliances you don’t want on show. Plus, taller cabinetry makes your space feel larger and more refined.
Peg rails or hook systems under shelves are an elegant, practical solution: hang coats, backpacks, or drying racks, all while keeping things visually clean.
Expert Tip: Use a step stool if you’re working with very high storage, you’ll be able to use every bit of space without compromising style or safety.
4. Boot Room Benches
A boot bench isn’t just a place to sit, it’s essential for any bespoke boot room. Whether it’s a built-in seat or a freestanding piece, it offers a practical spot for removing boots and organising outerwear.
Integrate storage into the bench: drawers, cubbies, baskets. Hide hats, gloves and muddy shoes so the room stays tidy and welcoming. Design your boot room with matching hues and joinery that reflect the rest of your home to keep everything feeling cohesive.
Expert Tip: Choose hard-wearing flooring like stone or ceramic tile beneath the bench so it can handle daily traffic, damp boots and muddy paws.
5. Hybrid Design: Utility and Boot Room
Why have two separate spaces when one can beautifully do both? A utility boot room combo blends the hard-working laundry zone with storage for shoes, coats, and everyday clutter.
This is especially smart in smaller homes. Instead of spreading functions across rooms, you create a multi-functional space that works hard without looking cluttered. Tall cabinetry, hidden compartments and zoned layouts make this dual-purpose room feel intentional and elegant.
Expert Tip: Use design cues from your luxury kitchen – matching cabinetry styles, hardware, colour palettes – so the boot-utility room feels like a natural extension of the home.
Enjoy the Hardest Working Corners of Your Home
Creating a bespoke utility room or boot room is about much more than hiding washing machines. It’s an opportunity to weave practicality and beautiful design into your everyday life. With carefully considered laundry zones, clever hidden storage, elegant boot benches and multifunctional design, you can make these spaces feel deeply intentional, not just useful.
At Harvey Jones, we believe these often-overlooked corners should be just as thoughtfully designed for life as your bespoke kitchen.
FAQs about Utility Room and Boot Room Storage
Where should you place laundry zones?
Laundry zones work best in or beside a bespoke utility room, where plumbing, ventilation and hidden kitchen storage can be planned into the design. Keeping them close to the kitchen streamlines daily routines while maintaining a calm, uncluttered feel.
How do you keep a boot room tidy?
A bespoke boot room stays organised with boot benches and hidden storage that give every coat, shoe and bag its own place. Built-in cubbies or lift-up bench seats keep the space welcoming, even on busy days.
How do you maximise small boot room space?
In compact layouts, maximise every inch with hidden storage and hybrid furniture such as a bench with built-in compartments. Vertical cabinetry and smart zoning help your boot room fell like an extension of your luxury kitchen.
How do you dry clothes in a small utility room?
A rail above the worksurface provides easy air-drying in a compact laundry room. A stacked washer and dryer frees up valuable floor space. This keeps the bespoke utility room efficient without feeling cramped.
What is a utility room vs a laundry room?
A utility room is a multi-functional space for chores, storage and household essentials. A laundry room focuses mainly on washing and drying. Many homeowners now combine the two into a single bespoke utility room for maximum efficiency.
How do you hide clutter in a utility room?
Hidden storage is the simplest way to keep a bespoke utility room calm and organised. Think full-height cabinetry, pull-out compartments and integrated cleaning cupboards. These solutions keep everyday items accessible but out of sight.
Speak to Us About Designing Your Home
As you plan your bespoke home, think about how you live, how you clean, and how you want your most used spaces to feel day-to-day.
From seamless hidden storage, to designing hybrid boot room and utility room spaces and creating an open plan flow for families, our expert designers know exactly what works best. Book a design appointment with your local kitchen designer and learn more about transforming your home.
