There’s no reason why doing the laundry at home shouldn’t be enjoyable and accommodated with pleasant surroundings. This article looks at how to style this practical room with beautiful utility room flooring and wall finishes.
The utility room is the area of the house where we keep our washing machines and dryers. It usually has a sink as well. These functional spaces are as worthy of thoughtful design as anywhere else in the home. Indeed, our attitude to practical spaces in the home has radically altered over the last few decades. Nowadays, the single most expensive item we spend lavishly on is the kitchen. Closely followed by the bathroom. Two traditionally secondary spaces at the centre of our homes that are now celebrated. Having a pleasant utility room is the next big thing in design.
Credits: @alola_at_home
The utility room as a mud room and dog grooming area
The mud room, or back hall, is often combined with the utility room in UK homes. It’s a question of saving space but also provides valuable access to rear gardens and makes changing shoes easier. For pet owners, especially dogs, the utility room doubles as a grooming area and the choice of utility room flooring acquires even greater importance.
We live in an imperfect world, where leaks happen and mechanical equipment breaks down. So we best start with the floor and work upwards. That’s because, above all else, the utility room is a space where humidity levels and water spillage must be controlled. Get the utility room flooring right and no matter what happens down the line it’s no big deal.
When choosing utility room flooring, there are some functional and design qualities to take into account. The main considerations are as follows:
In practice, there are two materials ideally suited to utility room flooring, that satisfy the above criteria. They are porcelain floor tiles and vinyl flooring. Both are waterproof, durable, low-maintenance, and can have anti-slip properties if needed. As well as being attractive visually. Either vinyl or porcelain is available in plank or tiles format which also provides a great variety of dimensions and patterns for individual decorative preferences.
Credits: 1. @amaraproperty / 2. @yorkshire.build / 3. @nantbychan
Working up from the flooring, the essentials to a practical and aesthetically pleasing utility room include furnishings and finishes. We also recommend adding a few accessories to create visual interest. The following guide provides some useful tips:
As previously stated, tiles are not only suitable for floors but also make an excellent choice for utility room wall coverings. Not only for aesthetic reasons but also for practical ones. In this regard, ceramic tiles protect plaster walls from humidity and help to create a more integrated whole when combined with utility room floor tiles. The most important wall area to tile is around the sink, just like the kitchen backsplash. Because the overall area is typically small, you can afford to choose a more decorative tile here. Why not introduce a little designer flourish?
▶ Not sure how to make the walls of your utility room stand out? See our posts on Patterened tiles, Geometric Tiles, Moroccan tiles, Victorian tiles, Hexagon tiles, Spanish tiles, and Wave tiles for ideas.
The following real-world examples show how utility room flooring can inspire an entire décor. There will be no shortage of volunteers for doing the laundry in spaces like these.
Credits: @zokaeestudio
Products: Bottega Acero 59.6×59.6 (Available online & in-store) / Rhombus Navy 15X25,9X0,8 (Available in-store)
A simple grey porcelain floor tile is combined to great effect with a geometric pattern wall tile in midnight blue. The style is contemporary chic with warming touches like the floor rug. The exterior window brings the space to life, converting the utility room into a pleasant workplace. Additional touches like the timber carcass that accommodates the washer and dryer, paired with a mirror and wall rail for hanging plants add visual interest.
Credits: @in.house.design
Products: Carrara Blanco Brillo 59.6×59.6 (Available online & in-store) / Imperia Mix Silver White 29,8X29,8 (Available in-store)
This high-end utility room is the ultimate in practical luxury. The porcelain marble effect floor tile sets the stage for fitted cabinets, also in light tones. The large format tiles with slim joints illuminate the space and compensate for the lack of natural light. The gorgeous wall mosaic tiles in ivory and gold complement the floor perfectly. Accessories like the contrasting metal ironmongery and faucets underline the opulence of this designer utility room.
This rustic-style utility room looks effortless on a modest budget. Wood-effect porcelain flooring planks evoke the warmth and organic qualities of timber. In contrast, the walls are left bare, and a Formica worktop provides a practical work surface. To keep the utilities organised, a wicker basket and floating shelving accessories are placed on either side of the sink. With a few added plants the space becomes a nice area to spend time.
Textured wall tiles in warm timber tones transform a practical pet grooming area with a fitted shower hose. The wall tiles help integrate the laundry equipment, worktop areas and storage creating a unified whole. A mosaic tile is used for the shower tray, contrasted with the larger format grey porcelain floor tile. This humble utility room becomes a glamorous pet spa.
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