These small utility room ideas are here for those of us who have dreamed of a space to call a 'utility', whatever form it might come in.
If you're figuring out how to design a utility room, even if it's just somewhere to hide the ugly washing machine and keep a clothes dryer, you've come to the right place.
Experts at Argos say, 'There're lots of ways you can use a utility space; laundry room, a place to hide away cleaning equipment, somewhere for the bins to go, kitchen storage spill-over... think about what will make the biggest difference to you in your home.'
There are in fact tons of ways to banish your laundry and all its paraphernalia to even the tightest of cupboards. Don't believe us? Just keep reading...
- Read our planning and designing a utility room feature too, for practical advice
1. Transform even the tiniest of spaces into a small utility room
The alcove/niche/cupboard you can fit a utility room into can be super narrow if you only want to house a washing machine.
A great small utility room idea is to pack all your storage on the wall above you washing machine so you don't take up any of the limited floor space. Add a curtain to hide all that clutter.
2. Put a small utility room under the stairs
The space below the stairs in the hallway is usually a decent enough size to house at least a washing machine and perhaps even a condensing dryer, too.
Maximise the space with a small utility room sink, a ventilated hanging area for drying or airing clothes and plenty of stack space for folded clothes.
Doors can be left open while you're out or you can invest in a small dehumidifier to keep the area dry. Shop our pick of the best dehumidifiers in our buying guide.
If you would rather keep your space for storage, go and check out our under stair storage ideas for loads more inspiration.
3. Create a utility cupboard in the kitchen
Not just a great way to get the washing machine out of sight, a floor-to-ceiling cupboard in a corner of your kitchen, is a practical small utility room idea too, allowing you to stash everything from appliances to hanging space to the ironing board in one compact space.
Neptune says, 'Washing machine below and tumble dryer on its shoulders, this cabinet keeps appliances behind cupboard doors.'
Exactly where we want them, we say.
- Or why not opt for a washing machine and a dryer all in one? Take a look at the best integrated washing machines for a sleek, seamless look
4. Or create a larger utility space behind double doors
If you have got the room you could create a whole (but still tiny) utility space behind some double cupboards in your kitchen, worktop and all.
We love this idea of hiding an entire laundry room, not just for your appliances, but an area to fold and store your washing too.
Once you are done you just close the doors and no one need know it's there, just fits seamlessly into your kitchen.
5. Add a small utility room in a hallway cupboard
Got some space to spare in your hallway upstairs? It's the perfect place for a small utility room because all the laundry stays upstairs, all the time (except when you're wearing it), plus you can have it built with some stud partitions at a very affordable price.
Ensure you choose a super-quiet washing machine if you're putting a machine upstairs, have children and tend to wash at night. Otherwise, wash while you're out.
Looking to invest in a new quiet washing machine? We have picked the best out in our round up of the best quiet washing machines.
6. Move a small utility room to the bathroom
Why not make like the Europeans and put your utility area in a larger bathroom or shower room?
It makes perfect sense: great ventilation, it's often where the laundry basket's kept; plumbing and drainage in place. What's not to like?
7. Hide a small utility room in your bedroom wardrobe
You get dressed and undressed in your bedroom, so why not?
Got a dressing room? Even better. Just ensure ventilation is really good so that drying clothes doesn't cause a damp atmosphere that the rest of your wardrobe won't thank you for.
- If you don't have a dressing room or your current one needs a spruce up head over to our dressing room ideas for more inspiration.
Put the space under your loft stairs to use and turn it into a mini utility room
8. Make space on an upstairs landing for a small utility room
Designing a new loft conversion? Why not copy this small utility room idea and design a space on the landing under the new stairs to the loft at the same time?
The associated costs will be minimal and even the smallest of spaces, like this one, can make for a good utility. Our preference would be for some doors to hide it away, though...
- For all our loft conversion ideas head to our inspiring gallery.
9. Hide a small utility behind sliding doors
Got a niche for a small utility room but no space for doors to open out or fold back against the wall.
Take inspiration from this small utility room idea and instead of resigning yourself to an on-show utility, put sliding doors right across the front, just like Instagrammer The House in the Hollow.
10. Think about ergonomics when designing a small utility room
Wherever you're putting your utility space, whether into a run of kitchen units or in a run of fitted wardrobes, placing the washing machine off the floor in a sturdily built frame will mean you don't have to bend every time you load and unload it.
Pull-out shelf for the basket beneath? Don't mind if we do.
DIY your own laundry area by upcycling your existing furniture
11. Try a DIY small utility room idea
If you are just after a space in your home to store your laundry, do the ironing and fold your clothes, maybe you don't need built in cupboards or secret sliding doors.
Create a work station from furniture you already have, stash some laundry baskets underneath, add some pretty wall-shelves for your detergent and what not, and there you go: a makeshift mini 'utility room'.
12. Make space for a small utility room in your pantry
Lucky enough to have a pantry in your kitchen? Why not see if you can squeeze a small utility room in there? One side for dry food and one side for your washing machine and dryer?
If you need help making room check out our handy pantry storage ideas to get you started.
13. Make a small utility room with shelving
Maybe your floor space is at a premium and you just don't think you have the space to build cabinetry or you're not lucky enough to have a pantry to house a DIY utility station.
Why not use wall space to store all your laundry clutter and accessories, ideally close to your washing machine.
String Furniture's Co-Owner Peter Erlandsson says, 'A simple wall mounted storage unit can solve all your problems. Placed above the sink or by the washing machine, the string shelving collection maximises your space throughout the home.'
14. Get a utility cart
Another space-saving utility room idea if you live in a close quarters is to buy a slim trolley cart for all your laundry accessories and neatly tuck it away by your washing machine when not in use. This IKEA trolley is as compact as they come.
Experts at IKEA says, 'Make smart storage out of a small space with the help of JONAXEL frame and mesh baskets. It’s narrow and can fit in many places, and the castors make it easy to pull out when you need a clear overview.'
15. Use baskets and boxes to hide utility room clutter
Clutter builds up and in a small space, it can get you down and make the utility downright unusable. A failsafe option to make order out of the mayhem is by adding neat baskets and boxes to house all the accessories.
Experts at Garden Trading say, 'Even though it’s the hardest working room of the house, your utility space need not look like this is the case.'
'Create rules for where things live with smaller storage boxes which can be stacked one on top of each other to make the most of shelf space.'
Find more small space storage ideas to make tiny room feel bigger.