Clever utility room ideas for a well-planned space

If you’re planning a kitchen extension and entertain frequently, consider apportioning an area for a utility. A room leading off the kitchen acts as backstage, providing somewhere for extra storage, dirty dishes or prep and cooking, improving the ambience of the kitchen itself and making it a more enjoyable setting for guests.

Get the look: Cabinetry by Studio Indigo; Imo bars stools by Pinch. Image credit: James Merrell.

Cubby hole storage is great for taming belongings but it can look untidy. This version with baskets is a smart compromise that makes it easy to access things, while bringing a rustic mood that really looks the part in a country home.

Clever use of storage and well-organised essentials ensure a calm, multifunctional space where everything is within easy reach. Combine natural materials such as wood and linen with a dark paint colour for sophisticated look.

A utility room can offer home comforts for pets without giving them the run of the house at night. Baskets, food and water bowls, and litter trays should have their own zones.

Get the look: Cabinetry by Terrence Paul Cabinet Makers; flooring by Fired Earth.

Clever use of storage and well-organised essentials ensure a calm, multifunctional space where everything is within easy reach. Storing watering cans and vases together will make it easier to find what you need.

In busy family homes there can be a lot of additional paraphernalia besides coasts and shoes, including bikes, sports equipment and baby buggies. Create a drop-off point in the hallway with plenty of hangers and shelving.

Where no separate room is available, a corner of a kitchen can be used as a pantry. These doors are practical but also add character.

Get the look: Bespoke furniture by Simon’s Kitchens.

Make a utility room a joy to use by adding a flamboyant touch with bold wallpaper and open shelving to show off favourite vases, glassware and other decorative tableware.

Get the look: The wallpaper here is Tema E Variation by Fornasetti at Cole & Son.

In a large kitchen, the laundry area can be separated from the rest of the space into a neat unit so that it can be easily closed away out of sight. This little laundry store has no airs or graces but has everything needed, from appliances to linen storage, in a well-organised package.

A clip rack on the inside of a door keeps mops of the floor and dusters in place.

A superb blend of substance and style, this garden workroom / utility room combines an old galvanised washtub and robust zinc-topped storage with elegant textiles that soften the utilitarian feel.

Organise household sundries in traditional pigeonhole shelving.

Using natural materials, such as stone for floors, worktops and sinks gives a more organic feel to this practical utility room. This generous sink will satisfy a range of tasks, from filling tall vases and soaking pans to bathing the dog.

Kitchen by Plain English, plainenglish.com.

Furniture that serves a dual purpose makes the most of a space, while opting for a bespoke design ensures tailored functionality and proportions.

Custom-made storage bench from Podesta, podesta.uk.com.

Built-in shelving keeps the collection of outdoor shoes in good order as well as providing plenty of additional storage.

Bespoke joinery, The English Joinery Company, theenglishjoinerycompany.com.

Create a neat arrangement of household essentials and preserving jars to save space on your kitchen counters.