First Floor Utility Room: Small But Perfectly Formed
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Everything you wanted to know, and probably more, about our tiny utility room. When I say it’s tiny, it really is tiny, at 1.8m x 1.7m, but it’s been a complete game changer. I dare say more so than now having a massive bathroom (which of course I also bloody love), but on a day to day practical level, its the best house decision I’ve ever made.
In relocating the washing machine into here we no longer lose a full cupboard to it in the kitchen, so we were able to retro-fit a drawer to house our rubbish and recycling bins, which in turn made the under sink cleaning product storage way less cluttered and chaotic. The washing machine was integrated and the cupboard door never sat properly, so that’s all sorted now, and the kitchen just works so much better.
The dryer used to be in the cellar. I’m not talking about a glamorous cellar that’s been dug out and with proper cupboards and the works, I’m talking about a narrow coal chute cellar with extremely dodgy, steep steps down, not enough head-height to stand up straight, and a pretty scary view to what’s under the living and dining rooms. Believe me when I say it was deeply unpleasant going down there to use the dryer. So much so that I basically refused to do the washing - it was well and truly Ed’s job.
After 13 years of that, I can say unreservedly that it’s an absolute JOY to do the washing now. Not a chore in the slightest. Okay, it might be when the novelty wears off, but right now it’s bliss. Having the washing machine and dryer in the same room, right near each other is the BEST luxury, and I am so, so happy we made this move.
Whoever decided that utility rooms should be on the ground floor or basement was all kinds of wrong. If there’s any way at all that you can shoehorn a little utility room in on the upper floor/s of your house I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s where the dirty clothes and bedding come from after all, and it makes ZERO sense to drag everything downstairs to clean and dry it only to then have to take it back up again. I’ll say it again: GAME CHANGER.
Anyway, enough waffling. I obviously wanted the room to look lovely too. After all I’m shallow - never one for practicalities first. Besides, it also doubles as a guest loo and you see inside as you come up the stairs, so the actual design of the room was every bit as important to me as its function.
I’ve tried to include a link to everything below, but if there’s something major I’ve omitted it will either be because I don’t remember where it’s from or I really don’t recommend it. Feel free to ask though, because I also might have just forgotten to include it!
Right, let’s go…
Oak Shelves: Oak Store Direct (mine are square edge with oak brackets in Dark Oak finish)
Radiator: Reina Lima Stainless Steel Radiator (1540 x 350)
Door: Oak Victorian Four Panel Shaker Door Loads of different sizes available, check other sites like Vibrant Doors and Leader doors too as prices vary slightly as do the sizes / stock they carry. Jake from London Bathroom Installers recommenced these doors over the ones I almost bought and thank god he did because they’re so much nicer. A total pain to prime and paint from scratch I have to say (as would any new door!), but totally worth is because they look so nice.
Door Hardware: Corston Architectural Poplar Mortice Door Knob The matching hinges, lock and cupboard knobs are also from Corston.
Appliance Curtain Rods and Brackets: Made by the Forge I bought their cafe rods and recess brackets which are all made to order so you can get exactly the length you need.
Plant Pots: both old from Anthropologie and La Redoute *, both of whom always have a brilliant selection of pots.
Basket: Bohemia Design Reed Storage Basket (For storing loo roll!)
A few other questions that have come up…
Did we have to tank the floor incase of leaks? Well, no. This is really no different than a shower, bath or toilet leaking / over-flowing, besides, the room is so small that water would probably go out into the hall and leak through that way. That said the tiles are obviously grouted and the perimeter is siliconed.
Did we have to reinforce or sound proof? Again no. Washing machines weigh less than the average man and a dryer, much less. Noise wise, it’s less noisy than having the washing machine in the kitchen and we can just close the door
Can I see a close up of the blind? The blind isn’t up yet and I’m not sure I’ll put it up as it’s quite a dark room and I don’t want to lose more light. But I will see and post a story of it if I do.
Where is Cleo’s Litter Tray? Cleo’s litter tray didn’t fit in, much as I’d loved to have it in here, but that said, she’s quite noisy scratching away in it in the night, so it lives downstairs outside the cellar door. Not ideal and one day I will have it hidden away, but that’s what’s necessary at the moment.
Do you also have a downstairs toilet? No we don’t have a downstairs toilet, this is where guests would come - it’s just at the top of the first section of the stairs. One day we might put a downstairs loo in when we do the side return extension.
Did you make the curtains or buy them, and how are they hung? I made them and will be posting a tutorial very soon. I promise I haven’t forgotten! Will include pics of how they’re hung then too.
Do you have anywhere in there to hang clothes to dry? I had wanted to include a pulley maid of some description (and may still do, but space is so tight). I did however chose a towel radiator so that we’d have somewhere to hang small delicates.
That’s it! Let me know if I’ve missed anything or if you have any other burning questions that I need to answer.