Laundry/utility room layout - maximum cupboard space or leave more open?

ChasingtheWelshdream

Evening folks,

Edited as it was a long and rambling post. :-D

In a nutshell, this will be our a laundry/utility which serves as a corridor to the downstairs loo. It has an undercounter fridge & freezer, which need to stay where they are, but the rest will predominantly be a laundry room.

Would you have units/sink/storage along both sides, similar to the current layout? Or go for a more 'galley' style along one wall only, so it's less of a corridor? There will be a large ceiling clothes airer to one side.
 
It's approx 180 x 320 cm, current state below. (it really is a state - the ceiling has just been taken down, please excuse the mess). The sliding door in the top picture is the loo. The door on the bottom picture is the kitchen, and where the airer will likely go.

Doozergirl

Is there space in the kitchen to move the door over a bit!  The door and architrave could also be made a bit smaller, if necessary.  If it were mine, priority would be to line the kitchen and utility doors up better, so that I could have one complete wall filled with as many full height units as possible and an unobstructed route from door to door. 

The loo door definitely does not need to be sliding; it's taking up more room than it would with the door opening into the utility.  

The ceiling clothes airer could then go neatly on the window side, with the radiator moved to be directly underneath it 👌. Perfect heat and ventilation for clothes drying.  

SaidDiogenes

I would stick to one side if it would fit everything you need, just so I didn't feel so closed in on all sides.

Also, if you're thinking about storage, plan out what you actually need to store to avoid closing it in more than you really need to.

Jeepers_Creepers

I guess you are keeping a sink of some sort? If that's to remain on the window side (it doesn't have to) then that, I think, pretty much determines that you'll need units on both sides - I can't see any way you'll fit ALL that stuff along only the short window side.

And if you move the sink to the other side, that's going to seriously limit what you can do there too.

It's a toughie; it's amazing how suddenly small an initially generously-sized UR becomes as soon as you start to plan it out! It's them doors - 3 of them. I'm guessing you really don't want to start shifting them as Doozer suggests? Yes/no? But def make the slider a normal hinger type. 

You currently have very little storage in there - just what's under the sink units. I think I'd look to maximise storage more than anything, and not worry too much about worktop space - you need some, but any more will just get 'filled'...

I also wouldn't worry too much about how it looks or feels - it is a utility room, it is a passageway, to get to the back outdoor(?) and to the loo. So, I think I'd look at maximising storage vertically - stack the TD on top of the WM. Stack the F on top of the F. (You can stack them 'freestanding', or with worktop between them). Then the freed up floor space becomes tall 'larder' storage units, ideally custom-made to go right to the ceiling ('cos that's a very tall ceiling.)

Plan for everything you'll want kept in there - for taller things like hoover, ironing board, broom. Boot and shoe storage (in a ventilated unit...). The upper decks will be for stuff only required every blue moon.

If custom-made, they can also be deeper - 700mm deep near the loo door, for example - a lot more storage. The stacked appliances will be towards the kitchen door end, so not as deep and intrusive.

If that's all too much depth with the sink on the other side, then you can fit a 400mm-deep sinktop and unit below instead. I'd make the sinktop a single-drainer as you'll need some worktop space there. And room for a bin.

I really don't know if the above is sensible, but it's another angle for you to consider.

koalakoala

I've just redone a utility room which had units down both sides. I hated it, felt like I was in a corridor. I've just done units along one wall now, so much better

ChasingtheWelshdream

Doozergirl said:

Is there space in the kitchen to move the door over a bit!  The door and architrave could also be made a bit smaller, if necessary.  If it were mine, priority would be to line the kitchen and utility doors up better, so that I could have one complete wall filled with as many full height units as possible and an unobstructed route from door to door. 

The loo door definitely does not need to be sliding; it's taking up more room than it would with the door opening into the utility.  

The ceiling clothes airer could then go neatly on the window side, with the radiator moved to be directly underneath it 👌. Perfect heat and ventilation for clothes drying.    

Mmm, interesting. I had never even considered changing the sliding door, but it is an absolute pain in the backside. I was going to build some kind of false wall for it to slide into, but yes, it really does make sense to hinge it.

The other kitchen door would be problematic. Electrics/mains water on the window side, and the other side (hidden) is being knocked down. The calculations have been done with the existing 'pillar' in place for the lintels to go. I completely get what you mean about a solid bank of units though so I will have a look, although I fear it could be a non starter to move the door. But the idea of floor/ceiling units is quite appealing......

SaidDiogenes said:

I would stick to one side if it would fit everything you need, just so I didn't feel so closed in on all sides.

Also, if you're thinking about storage, plan out what you actually need to store to avoid closing it in more than you really need to.


Yes, this is how I feel at the moment. It's very claustrophobic and half of me thinks 'its a corridor, it doesn't matter', the other half would like it to feel more of a 'room'. I want to be able to do the ironing in there too, and have hooks to hang directly up. There's just about space by the back/side door, but it's not pleasant with everything else around.

koalakoala said:

I've just redone a utility room which had units down both sides. I hated it, felt like I was in a corridor. I've just done units along one wall now, so much better

Interesting, interesting, thank you. :-)

Jeepers_Creepers said:

I guess you are keeping a sink of some sort? If that's to remain on the window side (it doesn't have to) then that, I think, pretty much determines that you'll need units on both sides - I can't see any way you'll fit ALL that stuff along only the short window side.

And if you move the sink to the other side, that's going to seriously limit what you can do there too.

Yes, I need a sink - three messy sons, hubby and a dog.... It's far easier to keep it in the same place (DH doesn't believe in 'making jobs'), but there is plumbing/drainage on the other side anyway with the washing machine and there used to be a dishwasher too. I can't remember if there is an hot feed or not, but the WC sink is over that side, so shouldn't be too arduous to bring over.

It's a toughie; it's amazing how suddenly small an initially generously-sized UR becomes as soon as you start to plan it out! It's them doors - 3 of them. I'm guessing you really don't want to start shifting them as Doozer suggests? Yes/no? But def make the slider a normal hinger type. 

I'll look at hinging the door. The other side door is an extra back door that is rarely used, but it's a pain.

You currently have very little storage in there - just what's under the sink units. I think I'd look to maximise storage more than anything, and not worry too much about worktop space - you need some, but any more will just get 'filled'...

It has, up until now, been the mother of all dumping grounds. If it wasn't for constant use of the sink I'd have ripped that all out 4 years ago when we moved in. It's indicative of the state of the rest of the house when we purchased, and the first thing I did was rip the kitchen out as it was too far gone to contemplate actually using. It was more pleasant to have bare brick walls for 6 months than what had been there.....shudder.

I also wouldn't worry too much about how it looks or feels - it is a utility room, it is a passageway, to get to the back outdoor(?) and to the loo. So, I think I'd look at maximising storage vertically - stack the TD on top of the WM. Stack the F on top of the F. (You can stack them 'freestanding', or with worktop between them). Then the freed up floor space becomes tall 'larder' storage units, ideally custom-made to go right to the ceiling ('cos that's a very tall ceiling.)

I'm very interested in the idea of stacking. I'd thought of it before but again thought it would be far too closed in. But, if there were indeed only units on one side.....interesting, interesting...

Plan for everything you'll want kept in there - for taller things like hoover, ironing board, broom. Boot and shoe storage (in a ventilated unit...). The upper decks will be for stuff only required every blue moon.

If custom-made, they can also be deeper - 700mm deep near the loo door, for example - a lot more storage. The stacked appliances will be towards the kitchen door end, so not as deep and intrusive.

We'll be making everything ourselves so can do whatever we want. :-D

If that's all too much depth with the sink on the other side, then you can fit a 400mm-deep sinktop and unit below instead. I'd make the sinktop a single-drainer as you'll need some worktop space there. And room for a bin.

Yep, the sink is only 450. I'd love a Belfast sink which is just not possible on that side with the current layout. But they are sooo, practical.

I really don't know if the above is sensible, but it's another angle for you to consider.

I'm open to all suggestions as although I have spent far too many hours than is healthy on Pintrest, it does feel quite blinkered without other's input.

Thanks all!

Doozergirl

Fair enough if the doorway can't move altogether, but you could put in a smaller door and lose the architrave which might allow you to have a decent half depth unit to start the run with. 

If you have an imaginative carpenter, they will be able to work something out for you so you can have the one complete run of well built cabinetry without abrupt stops that you have now.  

getmore4less

ChasingtheWelshdream said:

Evening folks,

Edited as it was a long and rambling post. :-D

In a nutshell, this will be our a laundry/utility which serves as a corridor to the downstairs loo. It has an undercounter fridge & freezer, which need to stay where they are, but the rest will predominantly be a laundry room.

Would you have units/sink/storage along both sides, similar to the current layout? Or go for a more 'galley' style along one wall only, so it's less of a corridor? There will be a large ceiling clothes airer to one side.
 
It's approx 180 x 320 cm, current state below. (it really is a state - the ceiling has just been taken down, please excuse the mess). The sliding door in the top picture is the loo. The door on the bottom picture is the kitchen, and where the airer will likely go.

If you can't move the kitchen door I would look at narrow depth full height units(or open shelves for a cheaper option) to act as larder storage for things like tins,  loo rolls etc. full depth stuff stuff get hidden.

proper door to the loo and that frees up the corner for full height 
maybe the washer dryer stacked or two widths worth with space above 
that would open up that side of the room going narrow for some of it

if space between kitchen wall and window, FF next to the kitchen door for easy access .
that would need the sink changing from the double drainer 

Another option with narrow shelves along the plain wall and proper door to the loo  is to have the washer/dryer stacked but facing the kitchen door

theoretica

My parents' dryer is on top of their washing machine - works very well.  If you had these on the outside wall would it make it easier to plumb in a vent for the dryer rather than needing a condensing dryer? 

If you go for narrower doors make sure you still have a route to get appliances in and out without taking doors off the hinges - the way the outside back door opens looks like it might get in the way?  Also where would you stand if opening the loo door if it isn't a sliding one?  You might also want to look at narrow double/bifold options. I have the feeling a sliding door would only have been put in if a normal hinged one had some disadvantage there.

Jeepers_Creepers

ChasingtheWelshdream said:

I'm open to all suggestions as although I have spent far too many hours than is healthy on Pintrest, it does feel quite blinkered without other's input.

Thanks all!

A very comprehensive reply. Sooo, let's see - all you want is everything. And don't we all

I don't think you can get away from the simple fact that you are asking a LOT from this narrow room; it has the WM & TD in there (most folk have to stuff that into their kitchens), a F and a F (just about everyone else on the planet HAVE these in their kitchens!), and also you want to iron in there... Sheeesh. Then there's storage, a butler sink, a feeling of space, a...

Thankfully, the back door isn't in regular use.

Ok, my gut says that to have this room 'looking' real good is just a luxury. So, it'll likely 'feel' a bit narrow? Pffft. It'll be a tad 'claustrophobic'? Pah! It could be a bit 'closed in'? Piffle!

Well, yes it will - but that will be more than compensated for by the sheer pleasure of having all the stuff you can't bear the sight of being stuffed behind bespoke doors and quality units. It'll be a masterclass of efficient design! Folk will 'oooh' and 'aaaah' at the innovative design concepts, that maximising of wall space, the ruthless use of the whole ceiling height.

This is a utility room, for utilitarian purposes. Every compromise you make towards 'space' will likely be a significant loss of actual storage space. Think more 'ultimate storage facility design' and less 'my ironing room'.

(On that last point, fold or hinge-away ironing boards are great. I made one out of chipboard for my first flat, and was so taken that I still do all the ironing to this day :-(  Ironing boards that you need to pull out of a cupboard and set up are just hellish. Choose a nice spot - perhaps with t'view out t'window - and fix it there. Upski and ready in 2 seconds. Then have your DAB radio set to either R4 or R6. Preferably both. Jobbie jobbed.)

getmore4less

Do you want to listen to music or watch TV while doing the ironing?