skip to main content
Photos
Photos
Advice
Stories From Houzz
Houzz Discussions
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
  1. Utility Room
  2. Cabinet Finish: Distressed

Small Utility Room with Distressed Cabinets Ideas and Designs

All Filters (2)
Refine by:
1 - 19 of 19 photos
Item 1 of 3
Auburn Shores Remodel
Auburn Shores Remodel
Niche reDesignNiche reDesign
In order to fit in a full sized W/D, we reconfigured the layout, as the new washer & dryer could not be side by side. By removing a sink, the storage increased to include a pull out for detergents, and 2 large drop down wire hampers.
Small Laundry Room makeover w/Stackable W/D and Farm Sink
Small Laundry Room makeover w/Stackable W/D and Farm Sink
randbollrandboll
Photo taken as you walk into the Laundry Room from the Garage. Doorway to Kitchen is to the immediate right in photo. Photo tile mural (from The Tile Mural Store www.tilemuralstore.com ) behind the sink was used to evoke nature and waterfowl on the nearby Chesapeake Bay, as well as an entry focal point of interest for the room. Photo taken by homeowner.
Remodeling Showcase: Wayzata Transformation
Remodeling Showcase: Wayzata Transformation
Boyer Building CorporationBoyer Building Corporation
Beautiful re-do of a once dingy laundry/mud room. Custom bench, cabinets were installed to be best fit for the family. Beautiful porcelain floor installed and ceramic hexagon white tile with gray grout adds creative intrigue. Stacked laundry at the right of the plant, by a window allowing light to spread through out the galley-style laundry space.
The Downing
The Downing
Yankee Barn HomesYankee Barn Homes
Jason Bleecher Photography
Small rustic separated utility room in Burlington with distressed cabinets, grey walls, brick flooring and a side by side washer and dryer.
Compact bath/laundry
Compact bath/laundry
EA Custom MillworkEA Custom Millwork
This compact bathroom and laundry has all the amenities of a much larger space in a 5'-3" x 8'-6" footprint. We removed the 1980's bath and laundry, rebuilt the sagging structure, and reworked ventilation, electric and plumbing. The shower couldn't be smaller than 30" wide, and the 24" Miele washer and dryer required 28". The wall dividing shower and machines is solid plywood with tile and wall paneling. Schluter system electric radiant heat and black octogon tile completed the floor. We worked closely with the homeowner, refining selections and coming up with several contingencies due to lead times and space constraints.
Full Farmhouse Remodel
Full Farmhouse Remodel
Black & White InteriorsBlack & White Interiors
Small rural single-wall separated utility room in Austin with distressed cabinets, grey walls, medium hardwood flooring, a side by side washer and dryer and grey floors.
Whole Home Remodel- Saratoga
Whole Home Remodel- Saratoga
May Construction, Inc.May Construction, Inc.
Budget analysis and project development by: May Construction, Inc.
Photo of a small contemporary galley separated utility room in San Francisco with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, concrete worktops, grey walls, terracotta flooring, a side by side washer and dryer, grey floors and white worktops.
Laundry Room
Laundry Room
Steel Roots Home DecorSteel Roots Home Decor
Design ideas for a small galley separated utility room in DC Metro with a submerged sink, shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, granite worktops, beige walls, ceramic flooring and a side by side washer and dryer.
Remarkable Kitchen Renovation
Remarkable Kitchen Renovation
Abbey Design + RemodelAbbey Design + Remodel
Laundry room renovation with flooring change, cabinets and countertops.
Design ideas for a small traditional single-wall utility room in DC Metro with raised-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, granite worktops, green walls, porcelain flooring, a stacked washer and dryer and a submerged sink.
White Concrete Reproduction & Arizona Pine Reproduction
White Concrete Reproduction & Arizona Pine Reproduction
Kutchenhaus CardiffKutchenhaus Cardiff
Photo of a small modern l-shaped utility room in Cardiff with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, quartz worktops, white walls, medium hardwood flooring, a stacked washer and dryer, brown floors and white worktops.
ランドリールーム
ランドリールーム
株式会社AC15株式会社AC15
洗面室を広くとるため、洗濯機スペースが独立。
This is an example of a small scandi separated utility room in Other with beaded cabinets, distressed cabinets, white walls, plywood flooring, brown floors and wallpapered walls.
Small Laundry Room makeover w/Stackable W/D and Farm Sink
Small Laundry Room makeover w/Stackable W/D and Farm Sink
randbollrandboll
The Homeowner custom cut/finished a butcher block top (at the same thickness (1") of the granite counter-top), to be placed on the farm sink which increased the amount of available space to fold laundry, etc. Note: the faucet merely swings out of the way. 2nd note: a square butcher block of the proper desired length and width and thickness can be purchased online, and then finished (round the corners to proper radius of Farm Sink corners, finish with several coats of clear coat polyurethane), as the homeowner did. Photo taken by homeowner.
Small Laundry Room makeover w/Stackable W/D and Farm Sink
Small Laundry Room makeover w/Stackable W/D and Farm Sink
randbollrandboll
Close-up of the granite counter-top, with custom cut/finished butcher block Folded Laundry Board. Note handles on Laundry Board are a must due to the weight of the board when lifting into place or removing, as slippery urethane finish made it tough to hold otherwise. 2nd Note: The key to getting a support edge for the butcher-block on the Farm Sink is to have the granite installers measure to the center of the top edge of the farm sink, so that half of the top edge holds the granite, and the other half of the top edge holds the butcher block laundry board. By and large, most all granite installers will always cover the edge of any sink, so you need to specify exactly half, and explain why you need it that way. Photo taken by homeowner.
Small Laundry Room makeover w/Stackable W/D and Farm Sink
Small Laundry Room makeover w/Stackable W/D and Farm Sink
randbollrandboll
Closer photo of counter top, sink, backsplash, and photo tile mural. Note: See the exposed top edge of the Farm Sink relative to the granite. This exposed edge is used to support a "Folded Laundry Board" that can be seen to the left of the base cabinet, against the stackable washer/dryer. Photo taken by Homeowner.
Compact bath/laundry
Compact bath/laundry
EA Custom MillworkEA Custom Millwork
This compact bathroom and laundry has all the amenities of a much larger space in a 5'-3" x 8'-6" footprint. We removed the 1980's bath and laundry, rebuilt the sagging structure, and reworked ventilation, electric and plumbing. The shower couldn't be smaller than 30" wide, and the 24" Miele washer and dryer required 28". The wall dividing shower and machines is solid plywood with tile and wall paneling. Schluter system electric radiant heat and black octogon tile completed the floor. We worked closely with the homeowner, refining selections and coming up with several contingencies due to lead times and space constraints.
Compact bath/laundry
Compact bath/laundry
EA Custom MillworkEA Custom Millwork
This compact bathroom and laundry has all the amenities of a much larger space in a 5'-3" x 8'-6" footprint. We removed the 1980's bath and laundry, rebuilt the sagging structure, and reworked ventilation, electric and plumbing. The shower couldn't be smaller than 30" wide, and the 24" Miele washer and dryer required 28". The wall dividing shower and machines is solid plywood with tile and wall paneling. Schluter system electric radiant heat and black octogon tile completed the floor. We worked closely with the homeowner, refining selections and coming up with several contingencies due to lead times and space constraints.
Auburn Shores Remodel
Auburn Shores Remodel
Niche reDesignNiche reDesign
In order to fit in a full sized W/D, we reconfigured the layout, as the new washer & dryer could not be side by side. By removing a sink, the storage increased to include a pull out for detergents, and 2 large drop down wire hampers.
Auburn Shores Remodel
Auburn Shores Remodel
Niche reDesignNiche reDesign
In order to fit in a full sized W/D, we reconfigured the layout, as the new washer & dryer could not be side by side. By removing a sink, the storage increased to include a pull out for detergents, and 2 large drop down wire hampers.
Auburn Shores Remodel
Auburn Shores Remodel
Niche reDesignNiche reDesign
In order to fit in a full sized W/D, we reconfigured the layout, as the new washer & dryer could not be side by side. By removing a sink, the storage increased to include a pull out for detergents, and 2 large drop down wire hampers.

Small Utility Room with Distressed Cabinets Ideas and Designs

A well designed 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 utility design.

What do I need in my 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 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 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.
1
United Kingdom
Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.