Utility Room with a Submerged Sink and Flat-panel Cabinets Ideas and Designs

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.

Modern Farmhouse

Kimball Modern Design + Interiors

Photo of a rural utility room in Denver with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white walls, porcelain flooring, a side by side washer and dryer, grey floors and white worktops.

Boulder Remodel Home: Approachable Elegance

Factor Design Build

The laundry area features a fun ceramic tile design with open shelving and storage above the machine space.
Inspiration for a small country l-shaped separated utility room in Denver with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz worktops, black splashback, cement tile splashback, grey walls, slate flooring, a side by side washer and dryer, grey floors, white worktops and a feature wall.

Nepean

Distinct Innovations Pty Ltd

Built on the beautiful Nepean River in Penrith overlooking the Blue Mountains. Capturing the water and mountain views were imperative as well as achieving a design that catered for the hot summers and cold winters in Western Sydney. Before we could embark on design, pre-lodgement meetings were held with the head of planning to discuss all the environmental constraints surrounding the property. The biggest issue was potential flooding. Engineering flood reports were prepared prior to designing so we could design the correct floor levels to avoid the property from future flood waters. The design was created to capture as much of the winter sun as possible and blocking majority of the summer sun. This is an entertainer's home, with large easy flowing living spaces to provide the occupants with a certain casualness about the space but when you look in detail you will see the sophistication and quality finishes the owner was wanting to achieve.

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!

North Lincoln mudroom / laundry room

Plain & Posh

Inspiration for a medium sized traditional utility room in Chicago with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white walls, porcelain flooring, a side by side washer and dryer, grey floors, black worktops and a feature wall.

Laundry room

Dutchman Furniture LLC

Design ideas for a small contemporary single-wall separated utility room in Atlanta with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, composite countertops, white walls, a side by side washer and dryer, beige floors, green worktops and porcelain flooring.

Escondido House

Micah Dimitriadis Photography

Photo by Micah Dimitriadis Photography. Design by Molly O'Neil Designs
This is an example of a traditional single-wall utility room in San Diego with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls, medium hardwood flooring, a side by side washer and dryer and white worktops.

Scandinavian Modern

Everything Home

The new construction luxury home was designed by our Carmel design-build studio with the concept of 'hygge' in mind – crafting a soothing environment that exudes warmth, contentment, and coziness without being overly ornate or cluttered. Inspired by Scandinavian style, the design incorporates clean lines and minimal decoration, set against soaring ceilings and walls of windows. These features are all enhanced by warm finishes, tactile textures, statement light fixtures, and carefully selected art pieces. In the living room, a bold statement wall was incorporated, making use of the 4-sided, 2-story fireplace chase, which was enveloped in large format marble tile. Each bedroom was crafted to reflect a unique character, featuring elegant wallpapers, decor, and luxurious furnishings. The primary bathroom was characterized by dark enveloping walls and floors, accentuated by teak, and included a walk-through dual shower, overhead rain showers, and a natural stone soaking tub. An open-concept kitchen was fitted, boasting state-of-the-art features and statement-making lighting. Adding an extra touch of sophistication, a beautiful basement space was conceived, housing an exquisite home bar and a comfortable lounge area. ---Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/modern-scandinavian-luxury-home-westfield/

Rosebud beach side home

Jasmine McClelland Design

Gorgeous spacious bright and fun orange laundry with black penny tiles.
This is an example of a large contemporary single-wall separated utility room in Melbourne with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, orange cabinets, composite countertops, porcelain flooring, a side by side washer and dryer, white walls and grey worktops.

Bringing Back The Love

Meadowlark Design+Build

Marmoleum flooring and a fun orange counter add a pop of color to this well-designed laundry room. Design and construction by Meadowlark Design + Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Professional photography by Sean Carter.

414 Fall Creek Drive

3rd Street Custom Homes

Photo of a large midcentury single-wall separated utility room in Dallas with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white walls, porcelain flooring, a side by side washer and dryer, black floors and white worktops.

Halstead's Bay Modern

Modern Design Cabinetry

Medium sized modern galley utility room in Minneapolis with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, engineered stone countertops, engineered quartz splashback, white walls, a stacked washer and dryer and white worktops.

Wrapping Station

Great Rooms Building Group

Photo of a large classic galley utility room in Chicago with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, white walls, porcelain flooring, a stacked washer and dryer, white floors and white worktops.

Mid Century Residence

KP Hudson Construction Inc.

Inspiration for a medium sized midcentury single-wall separated utility room in Other with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, white walls, a side by side washer and dryer, white floors and white worktops.

Earll Drive

Shift PHX

Inspiration for a medium sized retro l-shaped separated utility room in Phoenix with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, white walls, porcelain flooring, a side by side washer and dryer, multi-coloured floors and white worktops.

All the Little Details

White Design

Make the most of a small space with a wall-mounted ironing board
Photo of a small nautical l-shaped separated utility room in San Diego with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, engineered stone countertops, blue splashback, cement tile splashback, white walls, porcelain flooring, a stacked washer and dryer, beige floors and white worktops.

Bayadere Newport Beach

William Guidero Planning and Design

This is an example of a medium sized traditional u-shaped separated utility room in Orange County with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, engineered stone countertops, black splashback, ceramic splashback, black walls, vinyl flooring, a stacked washer and dryer, grey floors and white worktops.

2020 Remodelers' Showcase Home: Hermitage Way, Minnetonka

Boyer Building Corporation

Nice built-in cubby space for a much needed mudroom off of the garage.
This is an example of a medium sized retro galley separated utility room in Minneapolis with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, beige walls, light hardwood flooring and a side by side washer and dryer.

North Lincoln mudroom / laundry room

Plain & Posh

This is an example of a medium sized rural utility room in Chicago with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, engineered stone countertops, white walls, porcelain flooring, a side by side washer and dryer, grey floors and black worktops.

Utility Room with a Submerged Sink and Flat-panel 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.

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’.