Utility Room
Create a sense of unity This utility room is a lovely, calm space thanks to a simple colour palette of dove grey units, honey-coloured wood and warm-toned walls. By keeping the scheme simple and introducing plenty of storage, from wall cupboards to base units and large wicker laundry baskets, everything is tucked away and ordered. Light-coloured wall shelves provide storage when required, and cleaning materials are neatly stored in dedicated baskets.
Pack in plenty of storage This small laundry room squeezes a lot into a compact space. The washing machine and dryer are tucked under a practical work surface, while shelves above provide plenty of space for baskets, cleaning materials and stacks of folded laundry. Wall hooks on the right-hand side ensure large items, such as brooms and dusters, are stored away neatly, keeping as much floor space clear as possible. Floor-to-ceiling cupboards on the left, meanwhile, provide extra storage and keep visual clutter to a minimum.
Consider your cupboards Traditional ventilation grilles in cupboard doors have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years with the popularity of Shaker-style joinery, but their original use was purely practical. This nifty decorative detail ensures cupboard interiors stay fresh, so is perfect for areas where linen and towels are stored.
Love this color Build in a space for everything This neat and well-planned-out hallway – it even includes shelves for scarves and a handy welly spot – has a place for everything, which means bags, coats and boots can be stored away quickly and efficiently before the family has time to cause chaos in the rest of the house! Meanwhile, the muted grey-painted woodwork and wall-hung lanterns stop the scheme feel too kiddy-orientated, creating a grown-up decorative touch.
Make it water-resistant When planning your utility room, another important consideration is water resistance. ‘There will be wet shoes and clothes dumped on the floor; washing machines will leak; perhaps there’ll be wet dogs, wet children, dripping raincoats,’ says Turner. ‘Install a simple rubber floor, which is easy to clean, underfloor heating if possible, and water-resistant worktops.’
Consider ventilation Air circulation is very important in a utility room, as heat and moisture will need to be dealt with. ‘Moist air will cling to the internal walls and dampness will form mould and stain paintwork,’ explains Pitt. ‘We use acrylic eggshell on walls and ceilings, which can be wiped clean. Also, if you are not planning on a tumble dryer and will be hanging wet clothes to dry on a frame, then consider a humidity controlled extractor fan, which can be set to come on when humidity reaches a certain percentage, then turn off when the humidity drops.’
Add clever details If you’re lucky enough to have a laundry room, make sure it’s as efficient as possible. Think about how you will use the space and what kind of equipment and storage you’ll need. Consider raising up your washer and dryer so that you don’t have to stoop when using them. By doing this you will gain space below for pull-out drawers that could be used as laundry baskets.
Q