Functional Ideas and Design Inspiration for Your Utility Room

One of the most hardworking rooms in your home is the utility—a multifunctional space that’s used as a laundry, a store and—if it’s close to the kitchen—is often used as a meal prep area. Your inverter with all its batteries, and extra gas cylinders, go in here as well. And over the years, your utility room ends up becoming the space where we stash cardboard cartons, shopping bags, the family toolbox and gardening equipment. Not to mention, your cat’s litter box is also probably kept here too!

So, it’s not really surprising that the utility room is often the most neglected and least stylish room in the house. But it doesn’t have to be this way! With some clever organising and smart storage designs, your utility room can go from boring to stunning in no time at all. So much so, that doing your daily chores won’t seem such a nasty task anymore!

Here are some utility room ideas that will not only look great, they’re practical and stylish too.

1. Create a Functional Lighting Plan

In the utility room, task lighting is key. Plan to have strip lights below the overhead cabinets that throw light on the work counters. You’ll want to dispel any dark corners, so a ceiling light that offers uniform illumination is important too. Track lights that can be focused in any direction are also a great idea.

2. Optimise Space Efficiency

Especially if space is limited, you must work out a plan that uses every bit of space to the fullest. This compact utility manages to fit in a tiny hotplate, a sink and a washing machine in just about six feet of space. A double run of overhead cabinets and a wall-hung cup and ladle hanger help to maximise storage. Note how the cabinets in the loft are deeper, allowing oversized items to be stored safely.

3. Stack Appliances

When space is at a premium, it makes complete sense to stack the dryer on top of the washing machine, freeing up floor space that could be used for storage instead! Buy front-loading appliances that have the same footprint and come with a stacking kit. The washing machine should always be installed below as it is heavier. Make sure that it is installed in a way that prevents movement when the spin cycle is being run, or it could damage the dryer which is installed above.

4. Plan the Storage Well

What’s most important in your utility room is just that — the utility! These rooms are required to be highly functional spaces, and this means that you must plan the storage very carefully. What will need to be stored here? Make a list, and ensure that there’s enough room for everything.

If you cook using gas, one or two cylinders will have to be stored here. The washing machine and dryer must also go in this space, and a small sink to wash up if needed. Laundry hampers, waste bins, and storage for other odds and ends should also be tucked away neatly. It’s always a good idea to have closed shutters so that any unsightly stuff can be hidden from sight!

This lovely utility room has laundry hampers on rollers so that they can be wheeled up and down easily. Also, note the clothes rail between the overhead cabinets—always a very useful idea in a laundry room.

5. Use Wickerwork for Country Charm!

Wickerwork baskets are not only very pretty, but they also allow dirty laundry to ‘breathe’ and air out, preventing musty smells. Invest in some lovely rattan baskets, boxes, and trays, with or without lids, and use them to sort out the dirty and fresh laundry. We also love the DIY clothes hanging rack that’s perfect for drying out still-damp towels.

6. Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are a great idea in any room, and work especially well in a laundry room where they can be used to hold detergents, fabric softeners and other laundry staples. Keeping open shelves perfectly styled is not always easy, and it’s often easier to hide messy items behind closed shutters. However, a utility room can be forgiven if it’s not always in top order, and floating shelves are a good idea here!

7. Install a Suspended Drying Rack

Unless you will be using a dryer every time you do your laundry, a drying rack is a must-have in every laundry room. A suspended drying rack with a pulley and winch system is super convenient, allowing you to raise the rack close to the ceiling and saving precious space on the ground level. An added bonus is that hot air rises up, and you’ll find that clothes dry faster the higher up they are!

8. Add Versatility with Open Shelves

Open shelves are very useful in the utility room, as they can hold just about anything and everything! Shelves also take up much lesser space than closed storage with shutters, so if your space is limited then this is the better option for you.

9. Clothes Ladder

A clothes ladder is a functional idea that looks pretty good as well! We love the way this designer has infused this utility with rustic good looks. The whitewashed brick wall, rough-hewn ladder and wicker baskets, plus the profusion of potted plants, add to the old-world charm.

10. Create Space for a Folding Ironing Board

No utility room is complete without an ironing table! If space permits, a permanent ironing table can be provided; or else you can plan for one that pulls out from below the counter or can be folded away when not in use.

Need help with designing those all-important spaces in your utility room? All you have to do is to give us a call — the HomeLane team is always happy to help!