- Utility Room
Contemporary Utility Room Ideas and Designs
What do I need in my contemporary utility room?
Most utility rooms tend to be a small room just off the kitchen or hallway, so you are likely to be working with a compact space. Your main priority will involve planning utility room storage around your white goods. A utility room is usually intended primarily as a laundry room, so it makes sense to first install your plumbed items: the sink, washing machine and, if you have one, tumble dryer. If you run short of space and can’t afford to have a separate washer and dryer, then consider an integrated washer-dryer for your utility design. Built-in storage is a great idea in utility rooms to make best use of the available space, and you might want to also consider built in ironing boards, clothes airers and retractable washing lines. These items tend to be a bit cumbersome and are forever getting in the way, so designing special utility room storage for them or fixing them to a wall so they are easily folded away is an excellent space-saver and well worth the implementation. Free standing items such as laundry baskets and clothes hampers can be tucked neatly under specially designed worktops, and a selection of stacking plastic storage boxes, tins or wicker baskets can be used to help keep the room clutter free.
How do I decorate my contemporary utility room?
Decorating an utility room is the ultimate exercise in form meeting functionality. As it’s a room that, alas, invariably people spend a great deal of time in, you will want keep the utility room a calm and clean space. Utility room storage is essential for keeping this area tidy; attractively painted shelves and cupboards can be used to stow away all the bottles and boxes used for laundry and cleaning, as well as appliances such as vacuum cleaners and irons. An attractive country style utility design can be achieved by hanging bright or patterned curtains in front of wall mounted shelves – it will perk up the room and keep clutter hidden away. Floors should be hard-wearing and easy to clean (just think of those dirty boots traipsing in through the back door!) – to this end, stone, tile, laminate or vinyl flooring will be the most low-maintenance and durable. All in all, bear in mind that just because this is primarily a practical space doesn’t mean it needs to be dull – you can inject personality into your utility design in your choices of colour and decorative accessories. Consider quirky signage, blackboards for scribbling down shopping lists, and decorative bottles and boxes for stowing away household bits and bobs.
Do I need a sink in my utility room?
Utility room sinks are designed for those jobs that don’t quite belong in the kitchen – hand washing, dirty boots, watering indoor plants – and typically have a more industrial aesthetic than kitchen sinks. In fact, the iconic butler sink’s originally designated purpose was, as you might imagine, a sink for the butler, who was responsible for washing precious glassware and other items that required special attention and soaking. In case you’ve ever wondered, this is why butler sinks are so deep – for that matter, the only difference between butler sinks and Belfast sinks is the overflow built in to Belfast sinks which don’t feature in butler sinks. If the rustic charm of ceramic sinks appeal to you but your utility room would benefit a less substantial piece, French farmhouse sinks may be the perfect option; cast in French clay to produce a more refined finish, farmhouse sinks can be a thinner, more elegant alternative to their robust counterparts. As well as offering practicality, ceramic sinks make a beautiful statement centrepiece – utility rooms with a country or shabby chic feel will find the perfect complement to rustic wooden units with a butler or farmhouse sink. Smaller sinks are perfectly adequate if your utility room doesn’t demand as much from you, if you do the odd bit of rinsing instead of regularly being elbow-deep in heavy-duty washing. Stainless steel sinks are a practical choice that can withstand the bashing they will get in an utility room set up. Composite sinks are available in granite and quartz variations, both boasting superior durability and damage resistance; to boot, their smooth clean finish lends itself to an ultramodern style utility room.
If you’re still unsure on your utility design, take a look through the hundreds of photos for some contemporary utility room ideas from professional designers and other homeowners. You might find a design theme or some utility room storage ideas that will inspire you for your utility room makeover.
Whether you want inspiration for planning a contemporary utility room renovation or are building a designer utility room from scratch, Houzz has 12,366 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including Luminosity Limited and Levi Design Build. Look through utility room photos in different colours and styles and when you find a contemporary utility room design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful contemporary utility room ideas photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.
Marc Wilson
This is an example of a contemporary utility room in London.
Position and how many plug sockets - jennyscott100
Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped utility room in London with flat-panel cabinets, white walls, medium hardwood flooring, a side by side washer and dryer and white cabinets.
Laundry. Machines at 90 degrees - tim_neil20
Contemporary separated utility room in Oxfordshire with an integrated sink, a stacked washer and dryer, stainless steel worktops and grey worktops.
hanging rail above sink and drainer - robyn_filep
CABINETRY: The Ladbroke kitchen, Cue & Co of London, painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball SPLASHBACK: Polished plaster, Cue & Co of London WORK SURFACES: Polished concrete, Cue & Co of London FLOORING: Engineered oak, Cue & Co of London SINK: Stainless steel Claron 550 sink, Blanco TAP: Oberon mixer tap with a C-spout in pewter, Perrin & Rowe APPLIANCES: All Neff
Cue & Co of London kitchens start from £35,000
Utility appliance storage for kitchen - jkgregson
Lisa Melvin Design
Contemporary utility room in West Midlands.
an example utility space similar to ours - bren14
Buscot limestone in a seasoned finish from Artisans of Devizes.
Contemporary utility room in Wiltshire with limestone flooring.
Dog bed and pulley - ajmelton
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Inspiration for a contemporary single-wall utility room in Essex with flat-panel cabinets, a side by side washer and dryer, beige walls, white floors, grey cabinets and a built-in sink.
Layout of sink, washer, dryer and low cupboards and long cupboard at the end - webuser_698188155
Beau-Port Limited.
Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped utility room in Hampshire with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white walls, porcelain flooring and a side by side washer and dryer.
Laundry basket on wheels. Great idea. Would look good under worktop in utility room where there is a gap. - cleovorne
Inspiration for a contemporary utility room in Other.
Bench and shoe holes - amcmellin
We designed, supplied and installed this contemporary open plan kitchen with a feature breakfast bar as well as the utility. We also designed the bathrooms and specified the wall finishes for the home.
Utility room help for saving space - mina_pritchard
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary l-shaped separated utility room in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, light hardwood flooring, a side by side washer and dryer and black worktops.
Glen Doone Photography
Small contemporary galley separated utility room in Detroit with a belfast sink, white cabinets, granite worktops, beige walls, a side by side washer and dryer, beige floors, ceramic flooring and shaker cabinets.
Slots for laundry basket/buckets - juliet291
Aubrie Pick
Inspiration for a small contemporary single-wall laundry cupboard in San Francisco with open cabinets, grey cabinets, composite countertops, grey walls, medium hardwood flooring and a side by side washer and dryer.
portas p fechar a area de servico - gui_preihs
Medium sized contemporary single-wall utility room in Los Angeles with a submerged sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white walls, limestone flooring and a side by side washer and dryer.
Note: Coats hook on the walls - luminositylimited
Small contemporary single-wall laundry cupboard in San Francisco with white cabinets, white walls, a stacked washer and dryer, beige floors, white worktops, flat-panel cabinets and light hardwood flooring.
Like this pop up shelf for folding and sorting etc - joanna_dudderidge
No space for a full laundry room? No problem! Hidden by closet doors, this fully functional laundry area is sleek and modern.
This is an example of a small contemporary single-wall laundry cupboard in San Francisco with a stacked washer and dryer, a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets and beige walls.
this cupboard idea too with pull out shelves (easy to find stuff) - webuser_151371762
Design ideas for a contemporary utility room in New York.