If you have dogs or children, you’ll know the difficulty of an open plan kitchen design that opens into the garden. From muddy foot and paw prints on clean tiles, to coats, hats and scarves dumped in the middle of the room, busy homes can quickly become messy.
That’s why a hybrid bespoke utility room with boot room features is a practical and beautiful solution. Not only does it prevent laundry cluttering the kitchen, it serves as a space to contain dirty shoes and clean muddy pets.
A bespoke space can transform how your home functions every day, but how do you plan a utility room?
Separating Laundry from Your Kitchen
Utility rooms are a great way to separate the laundry function from your kitchen, meaning you can liberate your kitchen from baskets of laundry and the noise and distraction of a wash load going at full spin. This is particularly handy if you’re planning a luxury kitchen diner or open plan kitchen design.
Before you get started, think about the amount of space you’ll need for not just washing and tumble drying machines but also storage space for laundry products and somewhere to sort and fold wash loads. A thoughtful utility room plan ensures everything has its place, even in a small utility room.
Sinks, Storage and Surfaces
A sink is useful for hand washing items or soaking before prewashing – a butler or Belfast sink is a good option as they are roomier but a large undercounter model would be a good choice, too.
Designing the utility room using similar cabinetry to your kitchen will help to give continuity to the space. Think of your utility room plan as an extension of your luxury kitchen design – they should feel cohesive, practical and well-designed for each individual function.
Shelving for storage and hanging rails for drying clothes keeps everything in one place and. In many UK homes, utility spaces are quite small, so using vertical storage is key. A tall, slim cupboard for brooms, ironing boards and mops means your space stays clear and everything has a home.
These details elevate a bespoke utility room while keeping it highly practical.
Plumbing, Electrics and Appliances
Once you’ve decided what you need in your bespoke utility room plan, then you need to think about the practical parts: plumbing and wiring. If you’re working on a kitchen refresh or extension, now’s a great time to plan these features for your new kitchen utility room. An expert designer will help you decide the best placement for these features.
Don’t just think about the plumbing for your washing machine and sink, either. Depending on the model you’ve chosen, you might have to think about venting for your tumble dryer. If that’s tricky, then a condenser model rather than a vented one might be the best option.
Make sure you plan enough plug points in – you can never have too many. Many homeowners consider sockets for ironing, radios or dehumidifiers for drying hanging washing. A well-executed utility room layout ensures the space flows effortlessly.
Utility Room Plan with Boot Room Features
Somewhere to store muddy shoes is a must-have for an efficient boot room zone.
Bench seating with storage for shoes is a clever way of ensuring shoes and boots aren’t just ‘heeled’ off and dumped in the middle of the room for you to pick up later and put away.
If you have space, then allocate an area to each member of the family, so they know just where their belongings go. Above that, think about adding bespoke cabinetry for coats and bags.
Plan in a long, tall fitted cupboard arrangement where you can pop outdoor wear. Remember to leave ventilation holes so that air can circulate around any damp clothing.
Choose tiles for your boot room flooring – not only will it be more comfortable underfoot for those coming in from the cold, it will also help to dry out wet coats, umbrellas and shoes.
As with a laundry room, a sink (or even a pet kitchen!) is a really useful addition – particularly with a spray tap, allowing you to wash things easily and contain mess before it enters your main living space.
Choosing Colour Palettes and Finishing Touches
Finally, decorate with an easy-to-wipe-clean paint finish – a bespoke kitchen designer will ensure any finish is easy to clean and suited to high traffic areas.
Boot rooms and utility rooms are also great spaces to add a pop of colour, especially if you’re hesitant to go bold in the main kitchen area. Think bright blues, pinks and yellows, or moody navy blue, natural wood or burgundy.
Did you know? Harvey Jones kitchen cabinetry is hand painted after installation, meaning you can easily refurbish the colour in the future if your tastes change, without the need to replace the cabinets. This flexibility is key when creating a luxury utility room that evolves with your home.
Why a Utility Room Plan is Worth the Space
A well-planned utility room plan helps to keep your kitchen clear, organised and calm, while creating a dedicated space for everyday tasks. Whether you’re designing a small utility zone or a fully bespoke utility room, careful planning ensures it works hard without compromising on style.
By incorporating practical storage, durable finishes and considered layout choices, your utility room design can become one of the most functional spaces in your home.
Start Your Utility Room Plan with Harvey Jones
Considering a utility room plan for your new kitchen? Our luxury kitchen designers are on hand to help create a bespoke utility room tailored to your space and lifestyle.
Speak with an expert in your closest Harvey Jones showroom to experience luxury in person, or explore our brochure with real home projects and other home design solutions.
FAQs about Utility Room Plans
How do you plan a utility room layout?
To plan an effective utility room layout, start by positioning your main appliances first, such as the washing machine and tumble dryer. Then build around them with storage, worktops and a sink if space allows. A well-thought-out utility room plan ensures everything is easy to access and logically arranged.
What is a good size for a utility room?
There’s no set size for a utility room plan, as even a small utility room can be highly functional with the right design. Prioritise what you want your utility room to do and the size and layout often form from that. Compact layouts can include stacked appliances and smart storage, while larger rooms allow for additional features like sinks and folding areas.
Does a utility room need to be off the kitchen?
A kitchen utility room is a popular choice as it keeps plumbing connections simple and tasks close together. However, a utility room can also be positioned near a back entrance or garden, especially if you’d like a space that doubles as a boot room. The best utility room layout depends on your home and how you use the space.
