U-shaped Utility Room with White Worktops Ideas and Designs

A dream utility room, paired with a sophisticated bar area and all finished in our distinctive oak black core.
This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped utility room in Other with a built-in sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz worktops, a concealed washer and dryer and white worktops.

Old Dairy Kitchen

Eternal Kitchens

Design ideas for a rural u-shaped utility room in Other with a submerged sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, beige walls, a side by side washer and dryer, brown floors and white worktops.

Whitewing

AFT Construction

High Res Media
This is an example of a large classic u-shaped separated utility room in Phoenix with shaker cabinets, green cabinets, multi-coloured walls, light hardwood flooring, engineered stone countertops, a stacked washer and dryer, beige floors, white worktops and a built-in sink.

Ravine laundry/mudroom

Plain & Posh

Transitional laundry room with a mudroom included in it. The stackable washer and dryer allowed for there to be a large closet for cleaning supplies with an outlet in it for the electric broom. The clean white counters allow the tile and cabinet color to stand out and be the showpiece in the room!

Your Huntley, IL Neighbor’s Kitchen Renovation

Advance Design Studio, Ltd.

After six years of living in their Huntley IL home, Chris and Meghan were tired of their dark, dingy, outdated kitchen and it was finally time for a long-anticipated change. “The kitchen is the place where we live, it’s where we do everything,” Meghan said. “It was important that it be a space where we wanted to be.” Meghan loves cooking and enjoys including their girls in healthy meal prepping, this led them to want a brighter, more enjoyable kitchen with increased functionality and improved storage. For Chris especially, the laundry room was an entirely dysfunctional eyesore. “We had a washer and a dryer, but it was all kind-of cobbled together!” Chris said. “There were always laundry piles everywhere, we weren’t really sure what we wanted to do in there, but it was time for us to make a change.” The mess of the space was stressful every time they walked in the door from the garage each day. Kids’ backpacks and shoes piled up haphazardly in the makeshift boot-bench closet left the family feeling disorganized and stressed. They needed space for folding clothes and locker cubbies to help keep the family organized. Having known Christine and Todd in the Huntley community for years, Chris and Meghan were familiar with their work. “We already trusted them personally and having seen their projects for years we knew they did top notch work. After we reviewed the initial round of designs, we knew that hiring them was definitely the right choice,” Meghan and Chris said. Although Chris had done a lot of work in their home himself, the kitchen and laundry room renovation was such a large undertaking that he didn’t want to steal time away from his family to spend what would surely be many long weekends doing the job himself. “That would not have been a wise choice for us,” Chris laughed. “Our designer, Michelle was very, very, easy to work with; anything we wanted to see or weren’t sure about, she went above and beyond to make this easy for us. She was easy to get hold of and always quick to respond,” the couple said. Michelle pulled ideas that mirrored the couple’s taste and style and was adept at directing the couple to limited choices that didn’t overwhelm them and kept the process moving. “I have a hard time making decisions. Michelle made the decision-making process so easy. I loved how she listened to what I liked and then presented three great options for me to choose from,” Meghan said. The main objectives for the kitchen were better storage solutions, they wanted the space to reflect their lifestyle and taste, and they wanted it to last for years with low maintenance. One of the first steps in creating a more functional kitchen was relocating the refrigerator, creating an improved workflow for the busy family. “We didn’t know that we could even move the refrigerator to a new location where it is now, that was something that we never would have thought of,” Chris said. “The new refrigerator location makes the kitchen feel so much bigger. We didn’t add any space, but our whole kitchen with the new design just seems like it’s so much larger than before!” Meghan said. The perimeter mist colored cabinets helped warm and brighten the entire room, while the graphite colored cabinets on the island added contrast. Using this fresh, clean color palette satisfied the couple’s desire for a bright space that was the exact opposite of what they had before. Organization accessories were also added to the cabinets such as a spice drawer tray and roll outs to create hidden convenience. “I absolutely love the hidden spices – it makes cooking so much more enjoyable!” Chris said. “And all the pull outs, and the double trash bin, who would think you could get so excited about organization!” the couple said in unison. One thing they hated in their original kitchen was how dark the space felt. Added lighting on the ceiling with the new light fixtures combined with the lighter cabinetry colors throughout solved this problem. “Our new kitchen has this warm, almost cozy feeling that our old kitchen never had, it’s just a space that I love spending my time in now,” Meghan said. The light airy feeling was accentuated with the use of floating white shelves on either side of the decorative range hood. “We have so much cabinetry space, the new design is amazing we actually have more storage space than we will ever need,” Meghan said. The island was extended to create more work surface and added space for stool seating. “The new island changes how we live. Now the kids can be in the kitchen with us, doing homework, eating breakfast, and the three of us have special dinners there when Chris is working late,” Meghan said. The Carrara Marmi Quartz countertops were chosen because they are, not only beautiful, but are made from hard-working material that doesn’t require maintenance. The white subway tile backsplash that wraps to the ceiling behind the focal point cooktop range/hood compliments the crisp white countertops perfectly, while brushed brass hardware and light fixtures keep the design fresh and new. The couple had a few fears at the beginning of the project, as most homeowners do. Their biggest fear was being out of their kitchen and laundry room for an extended time. The crew made it very easy for the family to work in a limited space keeping the washer and dryer hooked up the majority of the time, and also getting appliances working with minimal downtime. “They above and beyond accommodated us to get us through the process,” Meghan said. “They did a great job making sure we were as comfortable as possible throughout the process,” Chris added. “Our project manager DJ did a great job. He was very good at updating us on schedule changes, getting guys in as quickly as possible. Everyone that stepped in the house was nice and did great work,” said Chris. They thought Advance’s carpenter was phenomenal and were impressed when he took a conceptual idea from a photograph and worked with designer Michelle to create a one of a kind range/hood that has become the topic of conversation with friends and family who visit the new kitchen. “He was in our house literally every day for several weeks. He was easy to work with and good at what he did,” Meghan and Chris said. The focal point of the kitchen; a hand-crafted, custom-built ventilation hood was clad with handpicked reclaimed barnwood. Advance Design’s carpenter built the framework and the cladding to create a one-of-a-kind design element that the couple loves. “I think it was especially fun for him to create something unique from scratch, showcasing his talent in this area,” Meghan said. “I love that my kitchen is not like everyone else’s. I got to pick out the wood on my hood and watch it being built and was able to choose what pieces of wood went where on it. It’s totally unique.” Red Oak flooring was toothed-in throughout the kitchen and the rest of the first floor anywhere changes were made. Then the whole floor was refinished to tone down the orange undertones in the existing floor stain, ultimately changing the color complexion of the entire first floor. The result is a completely new feeling to the entire home. Renovating the laundry room was extremely important to Meghan and Chris, but they had trouble visualizing what the possibilities were for the seemingly small space. Michelle produced beautiful 3D illustrations that helped them envision the space in a whole new way. “I must have told Michelle 100 times that I am a visual person, seeing the designs in 3D made it so easy to make decisions and see what we could really do with our space,” Meghan said. A dividing wall and doorway were removed between the existing laundry room and hallway formerly containing a coat closet, providing space to design specialized graphite colored cabinetry matching the kitchen island to house custom storage cubbies for each family member. Adding the tall utility cabinetry in the new laundry area helped solve the storage issue, tucking away cleaning supplies, household items, and even the cat got its own cubby. “I love how everything is now hidden in its own space. I can’t tell you how much I hated coming home and seeing everything sitting around on counters,” Chris said. Electrical outlets were planned for the inside of utility cabinets, so devices could charge in hidden locations. Stacking the washer and dryer allowed for wider countertop space to provide a folding area and a special space for clothes to hang. “The way I do laundry has been completely transformed! I can actually fold clothes and hang them now right out of the washer and dryer,” Meghan said. “The end result in the kitchen and the laundry/mud room was an updated light and bright space, with a smarter work flow that better meets the needs of this family,” Michelle said. “I would totally recommend Advance Design,” Meghan said. “Sometimes I sit and just look at my kitchen and laundry room and think ‘Wow, I can’t believe I get to live here!’ It’s an understatement to say we love our new space.”

Full Home Renovation & Pool Gazebo Addition

Duke Renovations

The unique utility sink adds interest and color to the new laundry/craft room.
Photo of a large traditional u-shaped utility room in Indianapolis with an utility sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, quartz worktops, beige walls, porcelain flooring, a stacked washer and dryer, multi-coloured floors and white worktops.

Laundry Room Luxury

leeannallman

This super laundry room has lots of built in storage, including three extra large drying drawers with air flow and a timer, a built in ironing board with outlet and a light, a hanging area for drip drying, pet food alcoves, a center island and extra tall slated cupboards for long-handled items like brooms and mops. The mosaic glass tile backsplash was matched around corners. The pendant adds a fun industrial touch. The floor tiles are hard-wearing porcelain that looks like stone. The countertops are a quartz that mimics marble.

Banister Court Renovation

BGI Design

Photo of a medium sized traditional u-shaped separated utility room in Dallas with a submerged sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, engineered stone countertops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, white walls, porcelain flooring, a stacked washer and dryer, multi-coloured floors and white worktops.

Provo Charm

Hebdon Studios

Traditional meets modern in this charming two story tudor home. A spacious floor plan with an emphasis on natural light allows for incredible views from inside the home.

Gray Laundry Room w/ White Shiplap Wall & Kitty Pass Hidden Litterbox in Cabinet

Cabinet-S-Top

In this laundry room, Medallion Silverline cabinetry in Lancaster door painted in Macchiato was installed. A Kitty Pass door was installed on the base cabinet to hide the family cat’s litterbox. A rod was installed for hanging clothes. The countertop is Eternia Finley quartz in the satin finish.

Secluded Ct

Riverside Builders, Inc.

Inspiration for a large classic u-shaped separated utility room in Sacramento with a submerged sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, engineered stone countertops, ceramic flooring, a side by side washer and dryer and white worktops.

Wallis Residence

Cornerstone Architects

Photography by Buff Strickland
Mediterranean u-shaped utility room in Austin with a submerged sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, ceramic flooring, beige floors and white worktops.

Traditional Kitchen with Butler Pantry

Living Edge Kitchens

Live By the Sea Photography
Inspiration for a medium sized classic u-shaped utility room in Sydney with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, white worktops, a built-in sink and a stacked washer and dryer.

Country Manor

Carrick Custom Home Design

FX Home Tours Interior Design: Osmond Design
Photo of a large traditional u-shaped separated utility room in Salt Lake City with a belfast sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, beige walls, a stacked washer and dryer, multi-coloured floors, white worktops and marble worktops.

High-Contrast Luxury Home

Cambria

Photo: High Res Media Build: AFT Construction Design: E Interiors
Photo of a traditional u-shaped separated utility room in Phoenix with engineered stone countertops, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, light hardwood flooring, a stacked washer and dryer, brown floors, white worktops and multi-coloured walls.

Monte Sereno Residence

Isaman design, Inc.

Nestled in the hills of Monte Sereno, this family home is a large Spanish Style residence. Designed around a central axis, views to the native oaks and landscape are highlighted by a large entry door and 20’ wide by 10’ tall glass doors facing the rear patio. Inside, custom decorative trusses connect the living and kitchen spaces. Modern amenities in the large kitchen like the double island add a contemporary touch to an otherwise traditional home. The home opens up to the back of the property where an extensive covered patio is ideal for entertaining, cooking, and living.

Johnson Laundry/Mudroom

Turan Designs, Inc.

Farmhouse Laundry Room
Design ideas for an expansive rural u-shaped separated utility room in Atlanta with a submerged sink, green cabinets, engineered stone countertops, beige walls, medium hardwood flooring, a side by side washer and dryer, recessed-panel cabinets, brown floors and white worktops.

Modern Medina Two-Story

Swanson Homes

The owner’s suite closet provides direct, and convenient, access to the laundry room. We love how the matte black Whirlpool washer and dryer along with the white oak cabinetry contrast the warm white and gray tones of the Cambria “Torquay” countertops. A fun feature of this laundry room is the LG Styler, installed and ready to fulfill your at-home dry cleaning needs!

Henneman Project

Ideal Kitchen & Bath

This is an example of a medium sized classic u-shaped separated utility room in Salt Lake City with a submerged sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, engineered stone countertops, a side by side washer and dryer and white worktops.

Ruffner Lane Home

Executive Developers, LLC

Laundry room off of 2nd floor catwalk
Large scandinavian u-shaped separated utility room in Other with a submerged sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, marble splashback, white walls, ceramic flooring, a side by side washer and dryer, multi-coloured floors and white worktops.

U-shaped Utility Room with White Worktops 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.

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’.