How to Design a Utility Room That Works Hard

The hardest-working room in your home might be your utility room. It handles a lot of tasks, but it can’t do its job if it’s not set up well. Plus, your laundry/utility room will see a lot of time from you, so why not make it a pleasant place to be?

Solve your utility room design frustrations. Follow these tips to create an all-purpose area that does exactly what you need it to do. Even better: You’ll feel good every time you walk through the door, even when the laundry’s waiting.

Utility Room Design: Simple Steps to Make It Better

If you put some elbow grease and design in the utility room, you may find you enjoy life’s little tasks and chores more. When your surroundings are pleasant, jobs are more pleasant, too.

1. Balance Practicality with Design

Your utility room needs to have practicality as its number one priority. However, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t also be aesthetically pleasing.

Choose materials that are durable, easy to clean, yet attractive. Cabinets should have a hardwearing finish, but think about painting them a pretty color that brightens the room. This is a good idea if your room is in the basement, which is common.

For flooring, install ceramic tile or something similarly sturdy. Avoid carpet, as it traps dirt and dust easily and will require more maintenance to keep clean.

2. Get Clever with Storage

You’ll not only do laundry in your utility room, you’ll also store your tools and cleaners there. You might even use the room to do dirty jobs and clean-up, like repotting indoor plants and cleaning paint brushes.

You need a place to store all your supplies along with space for folding, ironing, drying, and stain-treating clothing.

Think about installing a hanging clothes rack from the ceiling for items you need to air-dry. Get an ironing board that folds down from the wall so you can make it disappear when needed. Make sure you have enough cabinet space for your supplies and tools, too. Consider adding extra shelving if you need more storage.

3. Try Something Unique

You’re not going to be sitting and relaxing in your laundry room. In fact, it’s probably sequestered from the rest of your home. So, why not go unique with your design?

Paint your cabinets a fun color. Go all out with a themed room, or wallpaper everything. Paint stripes on the walls, or install that tile you loved that was too loud for your bathroom.

Jazz Up Your Utility Room Design

Don’t neglect your utility room when decorating your home. This is an area you’re constantly using to do chores in your abode. Sprucing up this space can do a lot for your mood, especially when you’re buried under a mountain of dirty laundry.