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Small Midcentury Utility Room Ideas and Designs

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3 Palms - Laundry Closet
3 Palms - Laundry Closet
Real Estate JudgeReal Estate Judge
Laundry Closet In Midcentury Modern Home
Photo of a small midcentury single-wall laundry cupboard in Phoenix with white walls, concrete flooring and a stacked washer and dryer.
Double Gable Eichler Remodel
Double Gable Eichler Remodel
Klopf ArchitectureKlopf Architecture
This is an example of a small midcentury single-wall separated utility room in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, a side by side washer and dryer, black floors and grey worktops.
Cobble Hill Residence
Cobble Hill Residence
Benjamin Andres ArchitektBenjamin Andres Architekt
Photo of a small retro single-wall laundry cupboard in New York with white cabinets and a stacked washer and dryer.
Los Gatos Treehouse
Los Gatos Treehouse
Cathie Hong InteriorsCathie Hong Interiors
This 1960s home was in original condition and badly in need of some functional and cosmetic updates. We opened up the great room into an open concept space, converted the half bathroom downstairs into a full bath, and updated finishes all throughout with finishes that felt period-appropriate and reflective of the owner's Asian heritage.
E Ave Remodel
E Ave Remodel
Nicolls Design BuildNicolls Design Build
Samantha Goh
This is an example of a small retro utility room in San Diego with shaker cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white walls, limestone flooring, a stacked washer and dryer, black floors and grey cabinets.
Leigh Holiday Home Renovation
Leigh Holiday Home Renovation
Du Bois Design LtdDu Bois Design Ltd
This laundry was designed several months after the kitchen renovation - a cohesive look was needed to flow to make it look like it was done at the same time. Similar materials were chosen but with individual flare and interest. This space is multi functional not only providing a space as a laundry but as a separate pantry room for the kitchen - it also includes an integrated pull out drawer fridge.
Wenham Ranch-House Renovation/Addition
Wenham Ranch-House Renovation/Addition
Katie Hutchison StudioKatie Hutchison Studio
Constructed in two phases, this renovation, with a few small additions, touched nearly every room in this late ‘50’s ranch house. The owners raised their family within the original walls and love the house’s location, which is not far from town and also borders conservation land. But they didn’t love how chopped up the house was and the lack of exposure to natural daylight and views of the lush rear woods. Plus, they were ready to de-clutter for a more stream-lined look. As a result, KHS collaborated with them to create a quiet, clean design to support the lifestyle they aspire to in retirement. To transform the original ranch house, KHS proposed several significant changes that would make way for a number of related improvements. Proposed changes included the removal of the attached enclosed breezeway (which had included a stair to the basement living space) and the two-car garage it partially wrapped, which had blocked vital eastern daylight from accessing the interior. Together the breezeway and garage had also contributed to a long, flush front façade. In its stead, KHS proposed a new two-car carport, attached storage shed, and exterior basement stair in a new location. The carport is bumped closer to the street to relieve the flush front facade and to allow access behind it to eastern daylight in a relocated rear kitchen. KHS also proposed a new, single, more prominent front entry, closer to the driveway to replace the former secondary entrance into the dark breezeway and a more formal main entrance that had been located much farther down the facade and curiously bordered the bedroom wing. Inside, low ceilings and soffits in the primary family common areas were removed to create a cathedral ceiling (with rod ties) over a reconfigured semi-open living, dining, and kitchen space. A new gas fireplace serving the relocated dining area -- defined by a new built-in banquette in a new bay window -- was designed to back up on the existing wood-burning fireplace that continues to serve the living area. A shared full bath, serving two guest bedrooms on the main level, was reconfigured, and additional square footage was captured for a reconfigured master bathroom off the existing master bedroom. A new whole-house color palette, including new finishes and new cabinetry, complete the transformation. Today, the owners enjoy a fresh and airy re-imagining of their familiar ranch house. Photos by Katie Hutchison
East Hampton blanc et noir
East Hampton blanc et noir
Consumers Kitchens & BathsConsumers Kitchens & Baths
This East Hampton, Long Island Laundry Room is made up of Dewitt Starmark Cabinets finished in White. The countertop is Quartz Caesarstone and the floating shelves are Natural Quartersawn Red Oak.
oakland montclair interior renovations
oakland montclair interior renovations
mitchell holladay architectsmitchell holladay architects
To increase storage at a small laundry room, the adjacent linen closet was split to provide an alcove for a rolling laundry basket. Blind sliding door hardware keeps the hallway minimal and clean. photography by adam rouse
Retro Mid Century
Retro Mid Century
Interior InspirationsInterior Inspirations
This is an example of a small retro single-wall utility room in Calgary with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, grey walls, medium hardwood flooring, a stacked washer and dryer, brown floors and beige worktops.
1960's Tri-Level Ranch
1960's Tri-Level Ranch
Lacy Keller InteriorsLacy Keller Interiors
HomeStar Video Tours
Inspiration for a small retro galley separated utility room in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, engineered stone countertops, grey walls, ceramic flooring, a stacked washer and dryer, blue floors and grey worktops.
Ravine Ridge
Ravine Ridge
Tim Schollaart Builder LLCTim Schollaart Builder LLC
Photo of a small retro l-shaped separated utility room in Grand Rapids with a built-in sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, wood worktops, grey walls, a stacked washer and dryer and beige floors.
Coppell
Coppell
Integrated Home ImprovementIntegrated Home Improvement
The client was looking to change the laundry room to make it less crowded and more functional.
Inspiration for a small retro galley utility room with open cabinets, blue cabinets, wood worktops, white walls and a stacked washer and dryer.
Midcentury Minneapolis
Midcentury Minneapolis
Quartersawn Design BuildQuartersawn Design Build
Farm Kid Studios
Small midcentury single-wall utility room in Minneapolis with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, wood worktops, white walls and a side by side washer and dryer.
Laundry Room
Laundry Room
D.A. Haig Construction, LLCD.A. Haig Construction, LLC
This is an example of a small midcentury laundry cupboard in Detroit with a stacked washer and dryer.
E Ave Project
E Ave Project
Bungalow 56Bungalow 56
Samantha Goh
Design ideas for a small midcentury galley laundry cupboard in San Diego with shaker cabinets, white walls, limestone flooring, a stacked washer and dryer, beige floors, grey cabinets and wood worktops.
Midcentury Laundry Room
Midcentury Laundry Room
Design ideas for a small retro single-wall separated utility room in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white walls, concrete flooring, a concealed washer and dryer, grey floors and white worktops.
Palm Springs Firebird
Palm Springs Firebird
Bauer Clifton InteriorsBauer Clifton Interiors
This is an example of a small midcentury single-wall separated utility room in Other with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite worktops, white walls, marble flooring and a side by side washer and dryer.
Laundry Room - Oakland Hills
Laundry Room - Oakland Hills
Innovative Interiors by Sophia SolomonInnovative Interiors by Sophia Solomon
Small midcentury galley utility room in San Francisco with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, engineered stone countertops, grey walls, porcelain flooring, a side by side washer and dryer, grey floors and white worktops.
Laundry Room
Laundry Room
Lisa & LeroyLisa & Leroy
This full house of a family of six called for a room designated just for laundry.
This is an example of a small retro l-shaped separated utility room in Philadelphia with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, metro tiled splashback, white walls, porcelain flooring, a stacked washer and dryer, black floors and white worktops.

Small Midcentury Utility Room Ideas and Designs

A well designed midcentury utility room can rise to become one of our favourite rooms in the house, boasting the accolade of existing solely to make our lives easier. Few of us are fans of chores such as washing, cleaning and ironing, but with a high-spec, well put together utility design they could be a breeze. For this reason, it makes sense to design an utility room to be as functional as possible, the very model of “everything in its place”, with carefully thought out utility room storage. That, however, doesn’t have to mean it can’t look nice – even super-utilitarian appliances like a washing machine, tumble dryer, laundry basket and recycling bin can be dressed up by their surroundings and made to look great as part of your midcentury utility design.

What do I need in my midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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.
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