DITCH THE DOOR
When your utility room looks this good, it would be a shame to shut it away. Door free utility rooms are big news in open plan living area, with free and easy access between spaces the key to efficient use. Use the same cabinetry, flooring and paint colours as the kitchen to achieve a seamless decorative flow, and ensure your utility doesn’t let the side down. Choose laundry appliances that promise quiet operation look for the ’Quiet Mark’ to stop dinner conversation or movie night being drowned out by the spin cycle.
CARVE OUT NEW SPACE
A utility area can work beautifully in the most unlikely of areas, like this corridor that links a kitchen and garage. ’In a narrow space, consider having all your cabinetry on one side, to help with the flow of the room. It will also leave room for additional storage such as benches, coat hooks or shoe racks,’ says Alex Main, director of The Main Company. Also consider the back ofa garage or under stairs cupboard. If laundry is the room’s main purpose, an upstairs location will put your clothes closer to their end destination.
EMBRACE COLOUR
’The utility room is often neglected on the decorating schedule but actually it’s one of your home’s most hard—working spaces and shouldn’t be overlooked,’ says architectural and interior designer Richard Parr. ’Decorate in a way that makes
you want to keep it looking lovely and enjoy spending time in there. Alongside really considered storage, where everything has its rightful place, use a flash of colour to lift the space, and accessories to add interest in this case, a bespoke laundry rail.’
ACCESS ALL AREAS
’Ease of use and accessible storage are key when designing a utility room,’ says Peter Humphrey, director of Humphrey Munson. This Classic oak ladder clips onto a secure rail, providing safe access to the upper cupboards. ’By raising the height of the washing machine and dryer, there’s less reaching down, making wash day less of a chore. This utility room also has the luxury of a drying cupboard, which is thermostatically controlled and allows high volumes of laundry to be dried out ofthe way.’
MAKE IT PERSONAL
Every household has different needs, so it’s important to zone your utility storage
according to size and use. In this home, the owners requested one tall cabinet to
house the ironing board, mop and bucket, and another to handle shoe racks and coat rails to take the pressure offthe hall. ’For a busy family like this one, good—size laundry bins are a must. They pull out on soft closing runners for ease of use and feature personalised lettering,’ says Emily Wallbank, senior furniture designer, The Secret Drawer.
HIDE AWAY APPLIANCES
Bespoke cabinetry will allow you to conceal your utility room’s functional side to achieve a sleek, streamlined space. Stashing away laundry appliances is an attractive proposition ifthe space leads directly off a kitchen or hall outof sight isn’t a bad thing where chores are concerned! Stack the washer and dryer in one unit, and include a slimline cabinet alongside for the ironing board and/or mops and brushes.
FURNITURE BUYER'S GUIDE
ROCK WlTHOUT THE ROLL IT
Say a fond hello to a classic favourite with a modern update. This handmade rocker features bamboo armrests and runners, and is available in a variety of coloured powder-coated metal finishes to suit all tastes and spaces.
HANG OUT WlTH NATURE A
Hide away from everyday stresses and enjoy a leisurely
afternoon nap in this suspended cocoon. Made from a high quality cotton blend, it's UV-, mould- and water-resistant, and comes with an easily removable elegant canopy
ITlMELESS LUXURY
The perfect balance of comfort, traditional style and durable longevity, this hardy teak chair features integrated wheels for easy movement. It can be adjusted to five positions so that you can tailor your lounging style to suit your mood, and swivel yourself around so you're always in the sun (or the shade). Lodge sunlounger with
waterprootc cushion.
A FANCY PANTS!
Reminiscent of Danish mid-century designs, you would think that this modern muse
is too smart for outdoor use; however, the tufted, weather-resistant cushions and stainless steeI-capped teak frame make it suitable for both interior and exterior environments.
SHlP—SHAPE
SUNS FLlNG A
Sail the seven seas from the comfort of your decking with this delightfully quirky foId-up. Its beautifully illustrated seascape is sure to bring back happy memories of coastal family holidays gone by.
STRONG STATEMENT
Whether matt, polished or brushed, metal fixtures are a popular choice. The Dalby showerfrom Drummonds is available in nine different finishes,
EMEFIEJ I MULTIPLE CHOICE
Combine the classic simplicity of a fixed shower rose with the practicality of a separate hand shower, complete with flexible riser. This allows you to direct the water exactly where you want it ideal for rinsing and hair washing. A concealed shower valve allows the majority of the pipework to be hidden behind the tiles for a neat look.
SLEEK AND DISCREET
Delivering a clean, minimal look, a compact showerhead and concealed pipework suits bijou bathrooms and en suites. Despite its petite proportions, air induction technology in the Inigo showerhead makes water drop softly for a relaxing drenching sensation. lts two—valve configuration allows you to use the overhead and hand shower at the same time.
SIDE SHOW
In a tight space, a practical solution is to fit a shower to the side of the bath, articularly if it’s not often used. ’The key to a cohesive scheme is to coordinate the fitting with the room,’ says Sonia Pash of Temza. ’Here, polished silver nickel and white porcelain taps complement the Regency—style decor.’