Is a utility room really necessary in your home?
As one of the smallest rooms in the house (usually), many people wonder whether or not it is even needed or whether expanding the kitchen into a bigger room is a better option.
But, of course, any kind of extension work in the home – knocking down walls, planning, materials, and everything else, is going to come with a hefty price tag.
A better option for many homeowners might just be to make the most of the utility room space you have.
Kitchen Units in Utility Room Ideas
Any room in the home can have any purpose, and anything that gives you more space has to be a good thing.
Part of ‘the problem’ with utility rooms is that people have a pre-conceived notion of what it has to be or should be.
We’ll cover some of these later but let’s look at the best ways to incorporate kitchen cupboards and utility room cabinets into the space.
One of the biggest mistakes that people make with their kitchens is trying to cram too much in. There’s always the temptation to try to accommodate more cabinets, more units and more worktops into the kitchen.
After all, you need storage and space, don’t you?
The thing is that doing this can spoil the overall look. It can make the space claustrophobic and cluttered, creating the opposite result of the intended effect.
Utility space is the perfect place to house an extra run of cabinets and cupboards.
Narrow cabinets or ones that run above the sink, are a good way to make the best use of space.
Of course, you can be as creative as you like.
Laundry Room Ideas
One of the most common uses of utility space is to create a laundry room. If the space houses your washer and dryer, having the ironing board in the room is a perfect solution.
It creates a self-contained laundry room and a ready-made space for doing household chores, such as ironing.
Storage Solutions
But utility rooms have other uses than the practicality of a laundry room.
The extra space can create a variety of storage options. First, the space could double as a pantry.
The pantry is sometimes considered to be an old-fashioned idea. But most homeowners could certainly use some extra cabinet or shelving space to store foodstuffs.
The Perfect Place for Appliances
Occasionally, kitchen appliances can upset the overall look of the kitchen, being at odds with the chosen units and worktops. They can certainly take up and waste a lot of valuable space. Utility rooms are the perfect home for appliances, especially bulky items such as a chest freezer.
The main reason why most people want a utility room is to store away all the big, bulky appliances that take up space in your home. This is usually the washing machine, tumble dryer and even a freezer. A utility room provides a small space to have all these white goods close to hand but at the same time hidden away from the main kitchen.
No Need for Integrated Storage in the Kitchen
A major argument in favour of having a utility room is that you don’t need to invest money in integrated storage in your kitchen.
Having white goods wedged between kitchen cabinets can often detract from the overall style of the room and you will need to sacrifice space to integrate these appliances behind kitchen cupboard doors.
It also provides a good place to store muddy shoes, the dog’s’ lead, wood for the fire and other bits and pieces that you don’t want lying around the kitchen or the rest of the house.
That being said, the advantages of expanding your kitchen space or retaining a large kitchen can’t be understated. If you don’t have a separate dining room, then a big kitchen will give you space to have a dining area, and for many people, this far outweighs the need to have a utility room.
How To Plan Your Utility Room
You can make your utility room a place for a range of different activities or you can focus it on one.
For example, if you want to use your utility room for washing clothes and storing things that you don’t want in the rest of your home, then you can incorporate the same design scheme as the kitchen.
A Utility Room Can be a Continuation of Your Kitchen Style
It doesn’t need to differ and it can really be a continuation of your kitchen style. If you are able to, then a quirky idea is to design the utility room in a different way from your kitchen so that it feels properly separate.
One thing to keep in mind is not to skimp on the quality of the work surfaces, cupboard doors and general make-up of the room.
A utility room is generally one of the most hard-working spaces in the home, so trying to save money to cheaper doors, cupboards or even taps won’t pay off in the long run.
Can A Utility Room Add Value To Your Home?
There are two sides to whether or not a utility room can actually add any value onto your property.
Any alterations or renovations to your home that increase its ‘usable space’ generally add value.
So, a utility room provides another space in the property that can be used for different purposes and will often add value as well.
Final Thoughts
You really do have a blank canvas when it comes to utility room ideas.
Ultimately, what the best use of your utility space is will be determined by the needs of you and your family and the lifestyle you lead.
‘Utility’ literally means something that is useful – so the space should be tailored to your family’s needs.
If you have any questions about how to make the most of utility space in your home, just get in touch with the Kitchen Warehouse team. We’re always on hand to share the benefit of our experience.
