These utility room ideas prove it's a room that can still be stylish, even if the purpose of the space is more practical
Utility room ideas don't need to be bland and can still shout style(Image credit: Davonport)
Whether you're creating a utility room that focuses on laundry, or designing a space to provide storage for everything bar the kitchen sink, there's no reason to include boring in your wish list.
From flooring and finishes through to layout and lighting, the right utility room ideas can result in a space that's both beautiful and full to the brim with functionality.
Whether you're embarking on a makeover or selecting cabinets and tiles for a brand new space, we've got 25 utility room ideas to ensure your daily chores take place in a space that fills you with joy.
1. Drench your space with stylish solutions
Built in racks within the wall shelving allow for plate stacking as well as air circulation(Image credit: Ca'Pietra)
The best home design has a clever way of combining smart, practical ideas with standout style, giving you not just one, but two ways of appreciating just how good a space actually is.
In this stunning utility room, brimming with features such as an oven and built in appliances that add the functionality of a back kitchen to its credentials, stunning wallpaper and crisp white tiles provide the perfect backdrop to white cabinets and floating shelving.
Look closer, and you can see the racks inset into the shelving – a simple yet extremely helpful addition to your utility room storage ideas.
2. Add a secret wine store to your utility room
Put your basement to good use with a wine store below ground(Image credit: Spiral Cellars)
"From dual-purpose laundry rooms to dog-washing stations or boot rooms, utility spaces are becoming increasingly versatile," confirms Cassie Jones, brand manager at Masterclass Kitchens.
But while catering for shoes or dirty clothes is not uncommon, why not add a secret dimension to your utility room with an underground wine cellar? Accessed via a trap door in the floor, it's the hidden dimension to your utility room ideas you never knew you needed – until now.
Cassie Jones
Cassie Jones is the brand manager at British kitchen manufacturer Masterclass Kitchens. Crafting beautiful, functional spaces with nearly 50 years of expertise, their range includes timeless handled designs, modern handleless kitchens, and the Signature Collection, bespoke-style storage at an attainable price.
3. Embrace a darker colour palette
Keep stains at bay with a darker colour scheme in your utility room(Image credit: Masterclass Kitchens)
It's not uncommon for utility rooms to see their fair share of dirt which can make choosing the right colour a little more tricky than picking your kitchen wall colours. in this instance, you may choose to focus on a darker colour scheme to try and disguise some of the wear and tear.
Or perhaps, as a room that's visited less by guests and primarily by homeowners, you may choose instead to indulge in a darker colour choice simply because you want to.
Either way, we love this utility room from Masterclass Kitchens with it's dark, sleek modern cabinets, slim vertical wall panelling and a handy hanging rail above the sink for practical laundry purposes.
A minty-fresh finish makes this utility room a delight to spend time in(Image credit: Jo Miller/Ca'Pietra/Chris Snoak)
If on the other hand you prefer a lighter colour palette, this too can work in utility room ideas, as long as it's part of a considered approach says Richard Davonport, managing director of Davonport.
"Colour and finish choices should be intentional. Utility rooms are working spaces, but they don’t need to feel utilitarian. We’re seeing a shift toward characterful hues such as muddy greens, smoky blues, or warm neutrals, paired with tactile hardware and heritage-style detailing," says Richard. "The result is a space that feels like a natural extension of the kitchen, just with a quieter, more purposeful rhythm.”
Richard Davonport
Richard Davonport is a luxury cabinetmaker and designer, and the founder and Managing Director of kitchen specialists, Davonport. The company designs and makes bespoke kitchens from its workshop in the heart of East Anglia.
5. Add seating for a bootility room design
Seating in your utility room can double up as storage space(Image credit: Ca'Pietra)
Functioning like a cloak room for storing shoes and coats, a boot room reaps extra benefits when it comes to storage solutions. The good news is, you don't have to have two separate rooms – even if boot room ideas are your ultimate goal.
Even adding a simple seating area with shelving above and space below can turn your utility room into a bootility room to make it work even harder.
Add a sink for clearing up muddy shoes, the washing machine for those post-football match kits to go straight into, and durable materials which will stand up to a wet dog shaking after a winter walk, and it's a one-stop shop for all of your needs.
Chester Dove Grey Large Open Shoe Bench
This ready made shoe bench could be the perfect solution if you have a spare corner in your utility room to sit and remove and store shoes
6. Consider hidden door openings
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Contemporary wood panelling gives this kitchen a sleek finish(Image credit: Masterclass Kitchens)
But push one section and it hides a surprise(Image credit: Masterclass Kitchens)
While open plan living remains a popular trend amongst homeowners, it's not without it's issues – one of them being noise. And as such, it's driving changes in the way we are looking to integrate utility rooms, says Cassie Jones.
"We’ve seen huge demand for layout ideas that separate noisy appliances from the main living area – like galley-style utilities or hidden utility cupboards in kitchens," she explains.
And it's this kind of demand that led to the creation of this hidden door idea, where modern wall panelling ideas disguise a utility room behind containing oodles of storage and useful features.
7. Pick your flooring wisely
Wood effect tiles provide the required look, but offer a hard-wearing finish(Image credit: Ca'Pietra)
Often used as an access point from outside into inside the home, your utility room flooring ideas need to be practical and hard-wearing. "Flooring should be non-slip, water-resistant, and built to last," confirms Richard Davonport. "Think porcelain or sealed stone," he suggests for a floor that will be able to deal with the dirt you may throw at it.
Or, if the rest of your home is more traditional in design, with wooden flooring or parquet tiles, there's no reason why you can't include this in your utility room too.
"Wood does work in a utility room" says Grazzie, "but if you want the wooden look but with the reassurance of it withstanding water, wear and tear, then a porcelain wood-effect tile might be just the ticket. Chatham, our porcelain oak tile works a charm in this period home’s utility room. Mixed in with Shaker-style cabinetry and wooden wall panelling, it’s a happy blend of all the tones and finishes of a classically elegant interior that’ll last a lifetime."
8. Pamper your pooch with a built-in bath
Add a low-level bath for washing dogs or muddy shoes(Image credit: Armac Martin)
If your precious pooch is guilty of trekking muddy paws through your home, why not consider adding a large built-in sink area, or dog shower in your utility room.
As well as providing the perfect space for cleaning your canine, it could also be used for washing down muddy boots and shoes, and dare we say it, small children who've had lots of fun splashing in muddy puddles.
Our top tip if you're creating a space like this? Maybe consider darker tiles with matching dark grout to save you extra time scrubbing it clean.
9. Integrate your dirty laundry baskets
There's no excuse for laundry on the floor with these built-in drawers(Image credit: Amac Martin)
Make laundry less of a chore by taking a tip from fitted kitchen design where everything tends to have it's own designated spot.
Instead of swallowing up valuable floor space with freestanding laundry baskets, integrate them into your utility room design by using large pull out drawers, handily located next to the sink and clearly marked with 'lights' and 'darks'.
Helping to keep the overall look streamlined and functional, the clear labelling means there'll be no excuse for finding dirty socks scattered on the floor.
10. Build a utility room bespoke storage wall
Using a combination of cupboard sizes and depths is key in utility room design(Image credit: Keller)
If space is no object, indulge in a bespoke utility room wall with a variety of cupboard sizes to suit all your storage needs. Choose taller cupboards to house ironing boards and vacuum cleaners, add in handy pull-out shelves underneath laundry appliances and make sure there's smaller spaces for cleaning materials.
This swoon-worthy space from Keller Kitchens offers deeper base units for appliances and laundry baskets as standard. Fully customisable, it's a great solution if your self-build project includes space and budget for modern utility room ideas that turn practical spaces into something more stylish.
11. Embrace a more natural utility room look
Create a more rustic utility room with wicker and fabric(Image credit: Garden Trading)
Lovers of a more natural interior look needn't feel excluded when it comes to utility room ideas. You can still create a beautiful aesthetic and have a practical space that lets you complete your chores.
Achieving this look comes mainly through the careful selection of materials and finishes. Wicker, painted exposed brickwork and cotton rag rugs will all create a more natural feel.
Using smaller freestanding storage units and adding a curtain to hide the under-sink area still means the space services your practical needs, without it feeling too linear or fitted in design.
Home Accessories Large Antique Wash Rectangular Hessian Lined Basket
Use hessian baskets such as these in your utility room ideas if you're keen on creating a more natural approach to your storage solutions
12. Create a layered lighting scheme
Use layered lighting to provide practical lighting in this functional space(Image credit: Higham Furniture)
Utility rooms in existing homes are often afterthought spaces, so can end up with no natural light other than an external rear door. With that in mind, it's essential for your utility room lighting ideas to involve the creation of a scheme which works harder for every occasion.
As a functional space, bright downlighters will help illuminate the utility room for tasks, but softer, ambient light – such as the light provided from the under cabinet LED strips in this Higham Furniture utility room – will make the room more enjoyable to be in and result in a well-formed, layered lighting scheme.
13. Stack appliances in a small utility room
Stacking appliances can free up floor space(Image credit: Neptune)
Stacking a washing machine and tumbler dryer is a great idea to make use of tall units and free up low level storage in small utility room ideas.
Whether you have built-in cabinetry which allows you to stack up your washer and dryer or use a stacking kit, the washing machine should always be on the bottom as they are heavier and contain a concrete block to prevent movement when running a spin cycle.
Utilising ceiling space for drying racks is a good solution in utility rooms(Image credit: deVOL)
Search for any utility room ideas on Pinterest, and we bet you'll find a suspended drying rack. And there's a good reason why. As long as there's sufficient ceiling height, these devices are ideal for adding extra drying space which can be winched out of the way both when in use and when not in use.
As heat rises in your home, you may also find the washing dries quicker at this elevated level. For even quicker drying times, position your rack in front of a window.
Or, if you have low or sloped ceilings, try a wall-mounted drying rack instead.
A well-designed utility room can include sleeping space for pets(Image credit: Armac Martin)
If your utility room is home to laundry, shoes, random paraphernalia, and pets, then give them a safe space to sleep by replacing a base unit with a built in dog bed.
As well as freeing up valuable floor space, it'll give them a sense of security and you peace of mind knowing they are tucked up safe and warm when you can't be at home.
16. Install a clothes rail between your cabinets
Pop up a rail for a handy spot to store ironed clothes(Image credit: Lifestyle Floors)
Want to do your ironing in your utility room? Even when short on space, you can install a clothes rail between two units to transfer your freshly ironed clothes straight onto hangers. As well as keeping your clothes as crease-free as possible, it saves you clearing worktop areas in a bid to find somewhere to put them down.
And when the ironing's done, "use special durable hooks to hang up your ironing board or one that has hooks for the board and a shelf for the iron," says Simon Grenville, managing director of Not a Boring Box (previously A Place for Everything). It'll mean these often cumbersome items don't take up too much valuable storage space.
Simon Glanville
Simon Glanville is founder and Managing Director of storage and organisational retailer, Not a Boring Box. Simon has lived and breathed storage for over 20 years, making him an expert on how to organise your home well.
17. Use copper piping for a utilitarian feel
Leaving copper pipes exposed can add character to your utility room(Image credit: Garden Trading)
Although utility rooms don't have to be utilitarian in style, sometimes using a back-to-basics approach can achieve effective results. Copper piping is one such example where the beautiful tones of the metal add warmth and colour to an otherwise plain space.
Complimented by a butler sink, putty toned cabinets, a simple cream worktop and a wooden plank shelf, it helps turn this utility room from simple into stylish.
18. Build a versatile utility nook
Carve out a utility nook using pocket doors (Image credit: Herringbone Kitchens)
If you don't want to fully divide your utility room and kitchen, or don't have enough space to build two separate rooms, a utility nook with pocket doors may offer the best of both worlds.
Rather than building a full dividing wall, instead build a utility nook running the length of one wall. Add pocket doors – which slide inside the walls when opened – to the front of the utility area and you can open and close as needed.
As well as providing you with a practical solution to your laundry needs, it allows you to hide mess away while enjoying the kitchen space, as sometimes we just want to be able to close the door on the chores.
19. Add a ladder rail for an extra layer of storage
Adding a ladder rail means the option of extra high-level storage(Image credit: Humphrey Munson)
While good looks are still important, utility rooms are much more functional spaces, so packing in as many utility room storage ideas as possible is the key to a room that works well for your home.
In this Humphrey Munson utility room design, bespoke floor to ceiling cabinetry maximises the amount of storage. Include a step stool, or in this case library ladder, in your design to ensure that you can reach those very top cabinets.
20. Create a pretty utility corner
Use wallpaper and fabric to create a vintage style utility space(Image credit: The Roost)
No room for a separate utility room? Create a pretty utility corner to store your essentials and use fabric and wallpaper to soften the space.
Using a simple rail with curtain hooks below the worktop creates the perfect hiding spot for laundry and cleaning materials, while a low level shelf beneath the window can be used for items you need closer to hand. Dress with plants and wicker baskets and it's super easy on the eye.
21. Use glass screens and doors as dividers
Adding a dividing screen will retain light but help block out utility room sounds(Image credit: Neptune)
Separating your kitchen from your utility room is a good idea, especially in open plan homes. Laundry appliances and dishwashers, often located in utility rooms, can be noisy, and you'll want to be able to prevent smells from cooking permeating into any clothes drying nearby.
However, keeping both spaces connected and open is a great way for your home to feel bigger. Glass partition doors as part of your internal window ideas work very effectively in this instance, allowing light to still flood the space, but providing an effective barrier to sounds and smells.
22. Go classic with utility room panelling
Panelling can be a classic and practical utility room idea(Image credit: Neptune)
Panelling is a smart and practical idea for a functional utility room. Not only does it look good, a painted timber finish will be more durable when dealing with water splashes and mud than a matt emulsion wall.
From traditional butt and bead panelling, as seen in this beautiful Neptune utility room, to more contemporary vertical slats, it's ideal for using around sinks and near the back door if you choose not to install tiles.
Adding open shelving to utility rooms is handy in small spaces(Image credit: Nkuku)
Open shelving is a double-edge sword – it helps keep things close at hand and is perfect for a small space where opening doors can be tricky. However keeping it perfectly styled and looking it's best can be a tall order. The key to making it work? Pick a theme such as natural wood and it's easy to find storage pots and kitchen accessories to match.
Of course as the utility room won't see much footfall from guests entering the house, you can also follow a more functional approach should you be less concerned about how the room looks.
24. Install a laundry chute
Make dirty laundry more fun with a laundry chute(Image credit: Pete Helme)
When self building or renovating, why not take the opportunity to factor in a laundry chute in your plans for a utility room? This design created by Hush Kitchens incorporates a chute hidden within cabinetry, ensuring dirty washing is delivered directly to where it needs to be. It's a fun way of getting the family to deliver the dirty laundry and saves time carrying baskets up and down the stairs.
25. Don't forget storage inside cupboards
Use storage solutions inside your utility room cupboards (Image credit: A Place for Everything)
It's also important not to forget that the inside of your utility room cupboards needs to work as hard, if not harder than the outside. While the exterior aims to please the eye, the inside needs to fulfil the practical needs of a busy home.
"Utility rooms can quickly become dumping grounds – anything from sports kits to ironing boards," says Simon Granville, "so make that space really work for you and maximise what space you do have.
"There are lots of great basket and caddy options which let you store those products you need to access regularly, like washing liquid. Go for metal or sturdy plastic instead of softer natural materials as they might retain moisture, particularly if it’s a room you use to dry laundry.
"Stackable storage like baskets with lids is also a great option and perfect for storing items like pegs."
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Sarah is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Assistant Editor and joined the team in 2024. An established homes and interiors writer, Sarah has renovated and extended a number of properties, including a listing building and renovation project that featured on Grand Designs. Although she said she would never buy a listed property again, she has recently purchased a Grade II listed apartment. As it had already been professionally renovated, she has instead set her sights on tackling some changes to improve the building’s energy efficiency, as well as adding some personal touches to the interior.
