Utility Room Planning

We often expect utility rooms to perform well but only allow them a limited amount of space, so organisation and thought into the layout is key.

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Cleaning, washing, storage, recycling waste. Life can sometimes be chaotic and that’s when clever solutions are required to restore some order.

The necessary household utensils and appliances need to be stored away, but where can they go without making the place look like a cluttered storeroom? The answer is as simple as it is ingenious and multifunctional: into a well-designed utility room!

The utility room ensures that household chores like washing, ironing and tidying can be moved away from the kitchen, cooking and living area. With suitable storage solutions and clever planning, it is even possible to integrate such a space into smaller homes.

Our designers can help you create a beautiful, practical and innovative space - just pop into our Hexham showroom to see clever real life layouts and chat with our expert team.

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10 questions to ask yourself when designing your utility: 

Will it be a washing room and do you want to hang out washing in the room?

If using primarily as a storeroom, what do you need to keep in there? Ironing boards, electrical items, washing tablets, recycling, dried goods...

Do you want to integrate larder elements, such as a tall unit for drinks crates, wine/bottle storage solutions or shelving for dried goods such as tins and potatoes.

Do you need tall storage for ironing boards, coats etc

Will bins and recycling be in here, or kept in your kitchen? 

How big a workspace/bench top do you need? Is folding clothes and laying them out on a spacious bench top more useful than extra storage cupboards? 

Will you use this space to iron/steam clothing (Thinking location of electrical sockets etc)

Will this room be used as a boot room too, for coats and shoe storage?

Will your washing machine and dryer go side by side, or would you prefer them in separate areas? Perhaps if you are short of floor space, on top of each other may work better too! Do you want them open, or hidden behind a cupboard door.

How hardwearing and porous do you need the surface in here to be - With cleaning equipment, dirt, food and tools all regularly making an appearance, it's essential you have finishes that are fit for purpose.

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Our useful things to think about, which you designer will need to know:

Do you have existing plumbing? For potential sinks and washing machines.

Are there any spaces which are non negotiable such as a boiler, windows or pipes and plumbing? These can be hidden and worked into the plans, but it's good to know what is already there taking up space.

Will you need electrical sockets inside cupboards, as well as on outer walls?

How much open shelving and concealed cupboards will work for you - Is it better to have more "hidden behind the cupboards" and less on show, or perhaps drawer options are better for you than a cupboards, so you can easily reach the back. Thinking about what is actually being store in your Utility before your design journey is always really helpful.

Do you need ventilation? Either an open window, or extactor fan? Leading on to what kind of tumble dryer do you have/want in here...

What kind of lighting do you need - Is there lots of natural light, allowing for smaller down lighting or LED strip lighting, or will you need more ceiling light? 

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Schuller: Interior design and planning with @dasmassivholzhaus (Instagram)

In her Instagram account @dasmassivholzhaus, Sabrina lets us take a look at her utility room and how she has made the most of the small space. In just 13 m², she has created an oasis of organisation that is both functional and pleasing on the eye. The sand grey design with stainless steel-coloured grip ledges perfectly matches the worktop and recess panels in the new Luna beige decor. Sabrina also opted for a floor-to-ceiling design, which provides additional storage space and makes cleaning considerably easier.

The row of tall units is equipped with a tall broom cupboard in the left-hand corner and a sink with lockable doors beneath it so that cleaning products and hazardous substances can be safely stowed away. Next to it stands a tall laundry unit, where dirty laundry can be sorted, and the floor-to-ceiling units provide a space for the washer and dryer. Highly practical: pull-out shelves have been installed under the appliances to provide a convenient spot for the laundry basket.

A base unit with a pull-out table creates an additional storage area and workspace to the side. What was especially important to Sabrina during planning: “I wanted to have a space here with a base unit where I can fold washing.” Connecting the two areas is a corner unit that offers more storage space than conventional units. Above the worktop, an illuminated clothes rail has been fitted for hanging washing.

The design was rounded off with sand grey recess panels with stainless steel rails where functional inserts can be hung. This means that all accessories are perfectly placed and close at hand whenever they are needed. The rails can also be fitted with LED lighting if required.

Microgreens in the illuminated panel garden – fresh shoots grow in Sabrina’s windowless room, little highlights that enhance the panel wall inserts and add a touch of greenery to the room.

This whole design has benefitted from several new features from the 2025 collection. The focus is on ergonomics, efficiency and order, always paired with the aspect of design, of course.

Reference: https://www.schueller.de/en/blog/everything-in-its-place-the-utility-room

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Further articles: https://www.schueller.de/en/blog/interview-izela-lange

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