She also highlights the need for space to load and unload washing. “I love a pull-out shelf to sort and fold fresh laundry,” she says. In a utility room, he suggests underfloor heating – controlled independently to other areas in the house – and a ceiling-mounted, pull-down drying rack. “If you do a lot of washing and drying with the machines in almost constant use, a dehumidifier is a good idea,” he adds. “It means your extractor won’t have to work as hard.” Even without drying clothes to manage, a laundry room or cupboard should have at least passive ventilation, Brian says, such as “a window trickle vent or a grille in a door”.
partition between machines. Noise management “Ensure the floor is even to avoid noise generated from a rocking washing machine, and [consider] how the noise of a machine running will impact neighbouring bedrooms,” Lorraine advises. As a side point, if you’re going to stack machines, remember you’ll need to manage their vibrations. For this reason, Brian advises a specialist stacking kit or, for older models where this may not be suitable, putting a worktop between the machines.
Pet paraphernalia A utility room is ideal for stashing any extra food or equipment you might need for your pet. Plan a cabinet to store items and consider including a spot for your furry friend to rest away from the noise in the rest of the home. In this utility room, the Canadian team at Soda Pop Design have built in two spaces for pet beds. The cosy recesses are just the right size for the small dogs to feel snug, safe and quiet.
Perfectly planned storage To really make the most of a utility room, storage is key. The hardworking space usually needs to house a multitude of items, including a cumbersome vacuum cleaner and ironing board. Maximise every inch of your room by measuring out your storage to fit exactly what you need. Here, the team at Kia Designs have built a cupboard with the right dimensions needed for a vacuum cleaner, appliances and cleaning items. They’ve also included nifty wall-hung storage for the iron and ironing board.
A drying rail Maximise space in your utility room by installing a drying rack up high, preferably hanging from the ceiling. In this home the utility room has a metal drying rail attached to a panel on the ceiling. It hangs in front of the window to catch the drying rays of any sunlight streaming in from outdoors.
A pull-out laundry basket Similar ergonomics can be applied to your laundry basket. To avoid lugging a heavy load to the washing machine, locate your largest basket in the utility room – you can always have a smaller version in the bedroom or bathroom that you can use for transferring little and often. Try a basket on wheels like the one in this space by Higham Furniture. An area has been left empty beneath the worktop to tuck the bin away, but it can be rolled out when needed and easily moved next to the appliance.
A well-placed washing machine The utility room is your dedicated laundry zone, so it’s a no-brainer that you’ll need a washing machine. However, it’s worth thinking carefully about its position. Of course, an appliance located at ground level is perfectly fine, but you could also consider a more ergonomic option. In this utility space designed by Studio35 York, the washing machine is raised off the ground and a pull-out platform is positioned below it. The owner can easily pull garments out of the drum into the laundry basket without bending down and putting a strain on his or her back.
The key to giving a greater feeling of space is to maximise the visible floor area, so hang as much as possible on the walls. ‘If you have stud partition walls, you may be able to utilise their thickness to countersink bathroom cabinets or even a slimline WC cistern,’ advises Townsend. ‘The more you can countersink, the greater the illusion of space. You’ll need to reinforce the walls to take any weight, so early investigation is advised to see what’s possible.’ Large-sized tiles are also recommended, as lots of grid lines from smaller tiles will make the room seem smaller. What’s more, the use of a mirror will convince your eye that the room is bigger than it actually is. ‘We would advise against a large mirror covering a whole wall, as it makes people feel uncomfortable. Instead, use semi-reflective materials that will reflect light. Mirrors should be kept to above the basin,’
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