If you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated utility room to do your laundry, you may be looking for ideas on how to make the most of your space. Often, these utility rooms are quite small and can sometimes be difficult to work with, especially if you don’t have much ventilation and the room tends to get humid with frequent use of washing and drying machines. Some people may also find that storage is an issue, with bulky and big furniture being out of the question. If either of these problems sounds like what you’ve been experiencing, our helpful guide will give you some inspiration to make the most of your space.
Modern utility room ideas
Most modern utility rooms are used for laundry, but they can be tight on space. The first thing we’d recommend that you do is maximise the space that is available to you. For example, if you’re able to, try stacking your washing machine and dryer vertically to give more floor space. If you don’t have the ceiling height for a stack, you could also integrate the machines into a countertop setup to make more use of the tops of these machines. In addition to this, we’d also recommend investing in some laundry room storage cabinets. We offer contemporary pieces that can seamlessly integrate with your existing decor, and are crafted to meet the needs of modern homeowners.
For example, the Kartell Encore Laundry Unit is perfect for storing things such as detergents, filter sheets, cleaning equipment, and more. Because it is more tall than it is wide, it can easily be placed in the smaller spaces of your utility room. Furthermore, it can help to free up clutter from your kitchen if that is where you currently keep your cleaning and laundry supplies.
To further the contemporary look, you can also invest in some wall panelling. However, you’ll need to make sure that it is water-resistant and can withstand humid environments if you don’t have much ventilation in your utility room. For a modern yet timeless look that won’t go out of fashion, we’d suggest using the Sulcado French Oak Slat Wall Panels.
French Oak Water Resistant Slat Wall Panel
These water-resistant panels bring an air of cosy warmth to your space, and can easily enhance the look of your home. Despite the utility room not being seen by many visitors, it can definitely improve the ambience, something that is particularly important if this room is also where you iron or spend time doing chores.
Utility shower room ideas
If your utility room doubles as a shower room, you’ll definitely need to invest in some waterproof flooring and panels. This will help to keep mold and moisture at bay, with the added benefit of being easy to clean - meaning that if you use this room for things such as chores, washing muddy boots or bathing pets, you’ll have a much easier job of keeping your utility room looking pristine.
For flooring, you can use an easy maintenance option such as the Brighton Aqua Click as shown above. This is a minimalistic design that can easily blend with different aesthetics and decor types and even better, it can be carried through into your kitchen if you prefer a cohesive look throughout your home. It is resistant to scratches and stains, and easy to clean making it a suitable option for either room. It is also waterproof, so rest assured you can use the shower in your utility room without the worry of water damage.
If you’re looking to create a focal point for your utility room, you can create a feature wall using a waterproof shower panel such as the Vox Motivo Modern Red Brick Panel. This can create a rugged and charming touch to your utility room.
Vox Motivo Modern 3D Red Brick
On the other hand, if you want to keep it simple and stripped back, you can use something such as the White Herringbone Bathroom Panels to cover the walls. This will look especially good if you can create a contrast with other elements of your utility room, such as if you have black appliances or a colourful shower screen.
White Herringbone Bathroom Panels
Small utility room ideas
If you’re really struggling for space in your utility room, there are plenty of other options that you can consider to help breathe a new lease of life into your space. You can still create more storage by utilising things such as radiator covers and shelving on your walls, or you can simply opt for subtle accents if you’re just looking for pops of colour or a more appealing room. However, the best way to create aesthetic appeal when you’re low on space is to create more focal points.
For those with a sink in their utility room, you can use wall panels to make a fun splashback. As seen in the image below, the Dumawall Plus Vinta tile effect panels are an excellent option for doing this. Their vintage appeal adds plenty of personable charm, which can be created effortlessly with simple installation. You can then complement this splashback with decor items such as glass or wood laundry detergent holders, ceramic plant pots, and other accessories.
Dumawall Plus Vinta Solid Bathroom Wall Tile
Other utility room ideas for small spaces include using things such as reflective surfaces and mirrors. This will give the illusion of a larger space and help to bounce light so that you have a brighter and airier space. Large floor tiles will also help to do this, and we’d recommend straying away from too many small format tiles in order to avoid creating a cramped-looking space. Of course, if bright and airy isn’t what you want, a dark and moody utility room can have a unique appeal - so long as you have ambient lamps to complement the aesthetic.
Create your dream utility room with The Panel Company
We understand that every taste is different and we can help you to create a space you’re happy with. All of our panels are made to the highest quality and ensure ease of installation alongside durability and easy maintenance. For utility rooms, we’d always recommend opting for a panel that can withstand humidity and water splashes so our bathroom and kitchen ranges would be ideal for a utility room. If you need any further assistance or information, don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be happy to help you find the right fit and order your panels.