How to design a utility room

Sometimes known as a laundry room or boot room, a utility room is the hub for many everyday tasks and, if planned correctly, it can be practical while looking great.

They can not only provide space for noisy appliances but also keep coats, shoes and laundry piles out of sight, leaving your kitchen free for cooking, socialising or supervising the kids while they do their homework. It can also increase interest for potential buyers when you come to sell.

Our guide to designing a utility room covers everything from the amount of space you need to where to place appliances.

For the best washing machines, tumble dryers, detergents, steam irons and more, visit our laundry hub 

What are utility rooms used for?

The utility room will usually be the go-to area for all things laundry. From washing and drying to steaming and ironing, the layout should focus on making these jobs as easy and enjoyable as possible.

However, there are extra things that it can be used for, including:

• larder
• dog room
• bike storage
• coat and boot room
• downstairs toilet
• appliance room – somewhere to house the fridge, freezer and dishwasher
• food prep area – a home for your microwave, air fryer and food processor.

The value of having a utility room extends beyond mere practicality, as it can also increase interest for potential buyers when you come to sell. Having an extra space to do your weekly washing and to store appliances and cleaning products is a welcome addition to a family home.

Staying put? By moving the washing machine and tumble dryer into a utility room, you gain space in your kitchen for more storage or seating, while also eliminating a lot of the noisy appliances that might disrupt your family's cooking and eating time.

Utility room design ideas

Can I stack a tumble dryer on top of my washing machine?

If both your appliances are made by the same manufacturer, you should be able to buy a stacking kit to fix your dryer on top of your washing machine. These kits can be bought from manufacturers or department stores and are an alternative to a washer-dryer.

You can also buy universal stacking kits if you have a washer and dryer from two different brands. These kits are designed to fix any dryer on top of any front-loading washing machine, although a brand-specific kit may fix them more firmly.

It's not advisable to simply place a tumble dryer on top of your washing machine. Any jolts or the vibration of a high spin could dislodge the tumble dryer and cause damage.

Save space by combining your dryer and washer. We've highlighted the best washer-dryers from our independent reviews.

Can I put a fridge in my utility room?

Yes – provided you have the space, adequate ventilation and somewhere to plug it in – putting a fridge or fridge freezer in your utility room is a good way to store overflow food, drinks and frozen goods.

To ensure it works properly, place it away from heat sources such as radiators. 

Find the best fridge for your space with our guides: best integrated fridges and best under-counter fridges.

Can I put a boiler in a utility room?

Yes – in most cases, a boiler can be installed in a utility room. Boilers aren’t the most attractive feature of a home, so the utility room is an ideal spot to keep it out of sight while still ensuring easy access for servicing.

Make sure you have sufficient space for maintenance and flue access, as well as external wall access for the flue.

For more tips and advice, see our guide to buying the best boiler.

Why do some people have sinks in their utility room?

Sinks provide a convenient space for handling dirty tasks like cleaning boots, garden tools and paintbrushes without needing to head to the kitchen or use the garden hose.

They can also help with laundry-related tasks like soaking stains or handwashing delicates, and are a practical place for grooming pets. 

We've rated a selection of brands to find the best bathroom sinks.

How big should a utility room be?

The minimum size for a utility cupboard would be around 15 square feet (1.4 square metres). This would allow for a washing machine and a tumble dryer with shelving above – or one average-sized fridge – depending on the dimensions of your appliances. 

A space of around 30 square feet (2.8 square metres) would allow for a washing machine, a small amount of storage and a walkway. The optimal space would be around 50 square feet (4.6 square meters or more. This way you can include a sink and plenty of extra storage.

The size really depends on your needs, how much laundry you do each week, or how much extra storage you require. Some people can make do with a large cupboard to store the washing machine and laundry accessories, while others need a large room with a variety of appliances, accessories and baskets.

Regardless of the size, make sure you measure the room and check it against the dimensions of your appliances. You don’t want to be left short of floor space because of your extra-large washing machine.

For more on space planning, visit our guide to kitchen design ideas.

Small utility room ideas

Don't assume you can't have a utility room just because you have a smaller home. Make the most of your space using one of these solutions:

• Sharing the bathroom If your downstairs bathroom is big enough, you could double it up as a mini laundry room. Hang storage on the walls and buy smaller appliances or a washer-dryer to maximise the room's efficiency.
• Under the stairs Leftover space under your staircase? Fitting a worktop lengthways and placing your washing machine and baskets underneath will leave you with a compact utility room. To keep it from ruining your hallway or lounge space, you could also fit a sliding door or panels in the front.
• Share the kitchen If your kitchen has space to spare, think about partitioning off a section. This could be done using a stud wall or, if you’re not up for a DIY job, a room separator.
• Take over a cupboard If there's a suitable cupboard in your home that's collecting dust, clear it out and move in the washing machine. Building stacked floating shelves above it will give you space for laundry, baskets and cleaning products.

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How much does it cost to create a utility room?

Extending and building a utility room from scratch will, of course, need a larger budget than converting a downstairs bathroom or the cupboard under the stairs. But there are plenty of ways you can cut costs whatever route you decide to take.

Using basic flat-pack shelving and storage units instead of having a fully fitted utility area will save a lot of money.

For example, you can buy basic storage units for less than £100 in Ikea – albeit for a small laundry space. And there are larger multi-section storage units for around £350. Homebase also offers cube storage shelves for less than £100.

Fitted units and worktops will typically cost more and take longer to fit. But the exact price will all depend on the size of the room and the materials you choose.  

Other utility room money-saving ideas include:

• hooks instead of a coat rack
• a café curtain instead of cupboard doors
• pull-out table stowed away in a drawer instead of long worktops
• a large pegboard across the wall to hang pots, utensils and the broom instead of built-in units
• an over-the-door rack on the inside of the laundry room door instead of extra storage units.

Our tests have found that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a Best Buy. Bag a bargain with our round-up of the best cheap washing machines.

Where should you position your utility room?

If you're extending your home, you should ideally choose a space near the kitchen, with an external wall and direct access to the garden. 

Doing your laundry next to – or at least close to – the kitchen makes sense for numerous reasons:

• Appliances should be easy to connect – you can use the same plumbing.
• You can gain space in your kitchen by moving the fridge and other large appliances into the utility room.
• If you’re doubling it up as a larder, you will want easy access while cooking or food prepping.

Another logical option is near a toilet or bathroom. Again, this will mean you can share plumbing connections, and it should already be well ventilated.

Entering the laundry room through a back door is also very useful. That way, you can remove coats and boots, store your bike and let the dog shake off its wet fur. 

Being directly connected to the garden also allows for easy access to the washing line. You don’t want to spend your days lugging wet clothes through the house.  

If the utility room will be solely used for laundry, try keeping the room separate from relaxing areas such as the lounge and the bedroom, to avoid being interrupted by noisy appliances.

We include a noise star rating for all the washing machines we review. The more stars, the quieter the machine will be. Check our washing machine reviews before buying.

Creating a utility room with existing space

If you don’t have the capacity to extend, there are usually other ways you can maximise existing space in your home.

Converting a garage is really common. It takes less time and money than an extension and is normally already in the perfect location – next to the kitchen with an external wall and door to the garden.

A cellar or a basement could also work well, but ventilation might be an issue. Be sure to check building regulations for any structural or electrical changes you plan to make to your home.

Always make sure of your appliance's warranty terms and conditions – housing your appliance in a garage or basement might invalidate it.  

Planning to extend or convert your home? See our advice for inspiration: house extension and conversion ideas

How to plan your utility room

Good planning is essential if you want to create a successful and hardworking utility room. Once you’ve made a decision on the size and location, you need to focus on the details:

Ventilation

Good air circulation is essential in a utility room to prevent damp and mould, so include windows, doors or an extractor fan. If your utility room contains a tumble dryer, ventilation is even more important to reduce the risk of damp:

• Vented tumble dryers need an external wall or window for the hose to release hot air.
• Condenser tumble dryers can be placed anywhere, making them flexible if external access isn’t possible.
• Heat pump tumble dryers don’t need a vent or hose to remove damp air and, while more expensive upfront, use around half the energy of vented or condenser models.

Our reviews help you find the best tumble dryer for your needs.

Flooring

Looks matter, but in a utility room durability comes first. With constant moisture and the risk of leaks, some materials simply won’t cut it.

• Avoid carpets They trap dirt, stain easily and won't survive a leak.
• Skip laminate Easy to clean, but can warp if there's a leak.
• Try rubber flooring Water resistant, easy to clean and great at absorbing washing machine vibrations.
• Go for ceramic tiles Stylish and durable, ceramic is also resistant to both water and chemicals. Just make sure the floor is level to prevent excess noise or damage.
• Consider underfloor heating Perfect for extensions. It keeps condensation at bay, helps clothes dry faster, and frees up wall space by removing the need for a radiator.

If you're thinking of redoing your flooring, read our carpets and flooring advice guides as well as our guides to underfloor heating systems.

Power sockets

Make sure your utility room has enough power sockets. Two will do for the washer and the dryer, but you don’t want to have to remove these to plug in the iron.

Four sockets is the minimum for a smaller utility room, but if you want to house the fridge, freezer and any other machines in there – such as an air fryer or microwave – you’ll need to add more.

You may also want a space to charge phones or tablets in your utility room, so consider a plug socket with a USB outlet for convenience.

Water inlets

If you’re extending your home, be sure to think about the extra water usage. The utility room will need to support a washing machine and tumble dryer, sometimes simultaneously, plus a sink.

The plans should also consider positioning, ensuring the sink is near enough to the machines for the plumbing to work in unison.

If you’re renovating, there might be limitations on the number of appliances that your existing plumbing can cater for, so it’s wise to speak to a professional before making big changes.

You can use our free Which? Trusted Traders search tool to find recommended plumbers and electricians who've been through our stringent vetting process.

Sink

If you have the space, a sink is a useful addition. You can use it to clean and soak clothes, and to wash mucky hands or boots. Keep it close to the washing machine and ensure you have worktop space either side.

Opt for a deep sink if you can, as this will reduce splashing when you're handwashing clothes.

Worktops

This room will take a lot of knocks, so choose low-maintenance, durable and water-resistant work surfaces such as: 

• Granite It looks great, is water resistant and durable. But it can be pricey. 
• Hardwood Iroko and teak hardwoods are water resistant, easy to fit and suit lots of different styles. 
• Corian It can be formed to fit any area, is perfect for wet rooms and comes in many different colours.

Positioning the worktops either side of the sink and above the washing machine will also make tasks easier.

See the pros and cons of a range of different materials in our guide: how to choose the best kitchen worktops and cabinets.

Storage

Smart storage is essential – you don’t want muddy boots, dirty laundry and cleaning products cluttering the space where you’re pulling out fresh clothes.

• For larger rooms Mix cupboard sizes: low ones for products and tall ones for items like the ironing board. Add laundry baskets (two or three) to separate colours and whites with ease.
• For smaller rooms Make the most of vertical space. Use shelves, hooks and hanging baskets for everyday items, while jars or tins are perfect for pegs and other small essentials.
• For multifunctional rooms Include coat racks, shoe storage or even a drawer for pots and pans to keep everything organised.

We've rounded up the best storage tips and tricks in our storage and organisation advice guides.

Locks

Keep children and pets safe from harmful products by adding locks to the cupboards and/or placing harmful chemicals on high shelving.

Drying facilities

Living in the UK means it's not always possible to dry your clothes outdoors, so it’s essential you have a way to dry your clothes inside.

A tumble dryer or washer-dryer works for most items, but investing in a clothes horse and a retractable wall-to-wall clothes line will make sure you’ve got all bases covered. A heated clothes airer will also help your washing dry quicker during the colder months. 

Overhead airers are also perfect in rooms with high ceilings – you can dry clothes out of the way without using up floor space.

If you're drying your clothes indoors, make sure you have adequate ventilation to avoid mould. You can find out more with our guide: how to get rid of mould.

Not all tumble dryers are great at drying clothes. Quite a few of them dry loads unevenly or have dodgy sensors that mean clothes are left wet or dried to a crisp.

We've tested heated clothes airers, tumble dryers and dehumidifiers to find the best and cheapest way to dry clothes indoors.