Store smarter and notice your space opening up (Picture: Getty/Credited below)
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It’s far from the most exciting areas of the home, but new research claims the humble utility room is more of a must-have than ever before.
B&Q’s A Slice of Home Life 2023 report revealed that 39% of Brits believe a utility room is the most important room in a house – despite the fact just 22% of us have one of our own.
The DIY retailer found that householders are seeking to hide their washing machines, shoes and drying racks, with the vast majority of the 2,000 people surveyed said they look for stylish yet functional storage solutions for typical utility room items.
Despite our big dreams, though, our renovation plans are limited by the space we have in our homes, their layouts, and whether we rent. Given we’re also smack-bang in the middle of a cost of living crisis, budget constraints are bound to be a factor too.
Whether you’re breathing life into an existing utility room that’s seen better days or making the most of a pokey corner or cupboard space, there are ways to do so without breaking the bank (or your tenancy agreement).
The first thing is to ensure there’s a designated space for everything you use, from cleaning products to pet food. That means investing in storage containers, baskets, and boxes – and committing to putting things back in their place every time.
It’s all about baskets and containers to keep counters free of clutter (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Labels can help make your newfound love for organisation a household habit, meaning nobody has any excuse for throwing things in a pile because they ‘don’t know where it goes.’
Creating a home for all your supplies takes the extra effort out of everyday tasks since everything is easily to hand, and ensures you know when it’s time for a restock.
What are the necessities in your utility room? Are you a busy parent who goes through baking soda and vinegar like no tomorrow? Are you an outdoorsy type who needs somewhere to de-mud after big adventures? Start with the essentials and prioritise them.
Think minimalist, which Furniturebox Product Director Laura Rich describes as ‘a sense of purpose without clutter.’
She adds: ‘A minimalist approach requires you to strip down your space to its most basic functions, which makes smart storage options your best friend.
‘I like to use wicker or fabric baskets as they hide clutter and fit neatly into cabinets. You can also leverage the height of your room and organise display items on shelves, keeping floor space open and free.’
Ensure there’s a home for everything (Picture: Getty Images)
However, the aim isn’t for your room to seem empty – you want to utilise every bit of space available, just in a smarter way. For example, a slimline trolley can fit into a gap between a washing machine, freeing up countertops, while a tiered shelving unit above your washing machine adds height to store your bits and bobs.
Just make sure you actually measure the place up before decluttering, as ill-fitting storage creates more problems than it solves.
‘I often find clients buy drawer inserts, baskets or containers that don’t fit their wardrobes or drawers properly,’ says celebrity wardrobe organiser Lucy Mansey. ‘This is counter productive as valuable space is lost.’
A tension rod and hooks can be used for your dishcloths, and holders for mops and brooms stop them from falling all over the place and getting in your way.
It may also be useful to invest in a laundry basket that has separate sections for darks, whites, and colours, or a compact ironing board that can be stored out of sight.
Don’t know where to start? Give these utility room organisation finds a try.
Habitat Industrial Laundry Sorter
Save time by pre-sorting your laundry as you throw it into the hamper.
Matt Black Wooden Laundry Caddy
A caddy like this allows you to bulk buy without having a load of ugly packaging lying around. We love the handy scoop, too.
Mop and Broom Holder 2 Pack
You’d be surprised at how much more put-together a room looks when utensils like mops are properly stored.
Laundry Storage Jar 500ml
From stain removers to scent boosters, transferring from the original packaging to something clear and labelled declutters your utility space.
Black 3-Tier Storage Trolley
Even the slimmest or smallest space has a storage solution designed to slot right in.
Joseph Joseph Pocket Folding Tabletop Ironing Board and Cover
This is a smart piece of kit in homes where space is at a premium.
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