What do you have in your utility?

dunroving

todayisagreatday wrote: »

We are completely remodelling our bungalow and are reviewing some initial plans from the architect. So far our plans have a nice main front entrance, through the hall etc and a 'muddy' entrance as I call it which would be a door into the utility and from there you can access the downstairs bathroom which would be a Jack and Jill type with an entrance from the utility or the main hallway and a door into the kitchen/open plan dining.

I'd planned the utility to have space for washer/dryer, a sink for more messy type things, some storage, e.g. vacuum cleaner etc, laundry. For anyone else with a utility, do you have a sink in there? Do you find a utility useful and is there anything else to include?

How large is the utility area? I'd think this will affect what is put in there. If it's small, it might only be a laundry area, for example (washing, drying, with a sink perhaps).

A larger utility area could include space and equipment for several functions (utility = useful, functional, adaptable, etc.). It could include storage (especially for awkward items such as ironing board, vacuum cleaner, power washer), a work bench and tool area, pet feeding area, even workout space. All of these things are functional and would go in any (large) utility area I build onto my house. I refuse to call it a garage because I don't plan to store my car in it.

getmore4less

Water Jets and stuff moving make dishwashers noisy as can blocked jets.

In ours foil containers are the worst unless held down by stuff on top of them.

EssexExile

missile wrote:

One idea we had was to raise the washer and drier off the floor, makes it far easier and more convenient to use the appliances.

See post #7

getmore4less wrote: »

Water Jets and stuff moving make dishwashers noisy as can blocked jets.

In ours foil containers are the worst unless held down by stuff on top of them.

Higher spec dishwashers have better sound insulation, our Bosch is almost silent. We once rented a house in Florida that had a dishwasher called a "GE Superquiet" or something similar, I've never heard a domestic appliance make so much noise!

getmore4less

missile wrote: »

We have a sink, washing machine, tumble drier and freezer. One idea we had was to raise the washer and drier off the floor, makes it far easier and more convenient to use the appliances.

Done properly no problems for maintenance.

EssexExile

getmore4less wrote: »

Done properly no problems for maintenance.

Yes, American ones often come with plinths attached to the machine so the whole thing can be moved. I've been to service washing machines on immovable plinths & I'm not lifting 80Kg of washing machine off a plinth.