By Charlotte Page For You Magazine

Published: 09:07 EDT, 28 August 2022 | Updated: 09:07 EDT, 28 August 2022

Long gone are the days when utility rooms were unloved spaces where bulky appliances, ironing boards and piles of dirty laundry were either hidden away or dumped. Luxe cabinetry, bespoke hardware and eye-catching tiles are fast making the utility room the hottest new space in the house. 

Searches for utility luxe are up 60 per cent on Pinterest, with celebrities such as Pearl Lowe and Stacey Solomon showcasing their recently revamped laundry spaces with pride on Instagram. TikTok is also sparking the trend, with laundry makeovers garnering over 162 million views and counting. 

The must-have look of the moment? Tongue-and-groove panelling. ‘It’s eye-catching and cost-effective,’ says interior designer Emma Gurner. Bonus points if you paint it in a mustard yellow (we love India Yellow, £52 for 2.5 litres, farrow-ball.com). Add a concrete sink (try thepouredproject.com) and brass hardware (check out the selection at plankhardware.com) for a sleek finish. 

Remember to conceal bulky essentials such as vacuums, ironing boards and mops behind closed doors. Tall cabinets or lockers with no bottom panel are ideal for this – we love the selection at laredoute.co.uk. Opting for deeper drawers where possible will also go a long way in housing necessities such as cleaning sprays. 

You can afford to be braver with your colours such as the teal and deep red seen here. And why not try a drying rack 

Reclaimed or salvaged wooden floorboards are back in vogue as the go-to for affordable cladding and DIY cupboard fronts. They also help dampen the sound of washing machines and tumble dryers. Try lawsonsyard.co.uk for a wide selection. 

Sleek storage solutions such as rattan baskets and built-in benches are savvy space savers that will also add a decorative touch, while statement hooks, racks and rails are easy ways to adorn the space and hang your washing in style. 

Unlike your living room or bedroom, a utility room isn’t one you are going to spend a lot of time in, so you can afford to be braver with your colours such as the teal and deep red. And who said drying racks had to be boring? Wall-mounted ones not only have statement looks but can be used for drying washing or hanging towels, but it folds away neatly too. Check out the selection at wayfair.com. For a similar blue paint shade try Teal Dreams, £32 for 2.5 litres, valsparpaint.co.uk.

A wallpaper feature wall will balance out the sharp lines of your cupboards and countertop and will give your utility space the considered feel the rest of your house enjoys 

For an unexpected touch, try a wallpapered feature wall. Not only will it balance out the sharp lines of your cupboards and countertop, it will also give your utility space the considered feel the rest of your house enjoys. Stacking washing machines and tumble dryers will maximise space and brass hardware will reflect light around for an airier feel as well as revamp cabinetry. These cupboards are from John Lewis of Hungerford. For similar wallpaper try Cottagecore in Vintage Green, from £85 for 4m x 2.5m, woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk. 

Here an open-plan dining room seamlessly houses a laundry area, too, thanks to tall cabinets that hide essentials and a shared colour palette

If space is at a premium, rather than a room, why not have a utility area? Here an open-plan dining room seamlessly houses a laundry area, too, thanks to tall cabinets that hide essentials and a shared colour palette. For similar cupboards try made byhusk.com and elevate them by painting in a vibrant colour. For a shade that bounces light around try Calming Peach, £21 for 1 litre, yescolours.com.  Capietra.com sells pink-toned floor tiles. 

Rattan baskets are perfect for storing practical items such as cloths and cleaning sprays. Stacking them will free up space

Rattan baskets are perfect for storing practical items such as cloths and cleaning sprays – for similar try hm.com. Stacking them will free up space as will a hanging clothes airer – check out pulleymaid.com’s selection. In a narrow room, colour is everything – here a dark grey shade helps the cupboards recede, while the lighter walls make the space feel wider. 

Painting a compact space in a darker shade will create a cocooning atmosphere while having the benefit of not showing up dirt or splashes

Utility rooms tend to be small – and the ‘interiors rules’ usually dictate we paint them in light-reflecting shades. Painting a compact space in a darker shade, however, will create a cocooning atmosphere while having the benefit of not showing up dirt or splashes. Wall painted in Dark Brunswick Green Intelligent Matt Emulsion, £56.50 for 2.5 litres. Cupboards painted in Portland Stone Light Intelligent Satinwood, £79.50 for 2.5 litres, both littlegreene.com. For similar floor tiles try claybrookstudio.co.uk. Originalbtc.com sells a good selection of pendant lights. 

Who says it has to be a chore? 

Peg bucket, £18, gardentrading.co.uk

Laundry detergent, £9, methodproducts.co.uk

Wall-mounted drying rack, £148.97, wayfair.co.uk

Storage basket, £35, Hay, skandium.com

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