Welcome to the utility room. It’s the room that no one wants to go in; the room of doom, the room where dull chores get done and random household items get chucked... and, quite frankly, we’re always desperate to get out of there as soon as possible.
Well, let's change all that, shall we? Yes, that overlooked utility room doesn’t have to be just function over form, it can be a place of joy and fun too. Don't believe us? Allow us to change your mind. Here are our 5 tips for transforming your utility room into something special.
Be storage savvy.
Let's face it, utility rooms tend to accumulate clutter faster than you can say "Marie Kondo" (those who know, know) so start your revamp journey by maximising storage solutions like installing shelves and adding baskets to divide key items, organising and cleaning out cabinets and adding wall-mounted organisers to keep small supplies neatly tucked away.
Don't forget about vertical space too, use hooks or pegboards to hang mops, brooms, and other cleaning tools to get them off the floor and give them a purposeful home. And the dream laundry item (in our eyes at least), a pull down drying rack mounted to the ceiling for a fancy space saving way to dry that never ending pile of wet clothes. Please say this doesn't sound super exciting just to us...
Throw a colour party.
Who said utility rooms had to be boring? Paint those walls a bold colour for a burst of personality. After all, you’re not in there that long so consider an energising bold shade to keep you motivated during those mundane tasks. Try our Joyful Orange paint colour as a zingy pop or something refreshing like our Electric Mint Green shade to awaken the senses and keep you perky.
Perhaps one of the most diverse paint colours, also known as the chameleon in the YesColours palette that adapts to every and any space... yes, we're talking about our Joyful Orange paint colour. Pictured here in the equally joyful utility room of Fran @coldwater_bungalow.
Bring in some fancy features.
On a budget? Not a problem, consider swapping out small items like old handles for new fun ones (or even painting them), DIY-ing artwork using old paint sample pots or wallpaper scraps and/or bring in some life with a few plant friends to help calm and focus the mind. Small changes can still make a big impact in these hardworking spaces, so don’t underestimate a little rejig.
Create multi purpose magic.
Why settle for a one-trick pony? Mix it up by adding a fold away station for crafting for both you and the kids, or a built-in ironing board to make laundry day a breeze. Don't forget about your furry pals either. If you have a little extra space, create a cosy corner for their bed and toys in hopes of keeping their clutter out of the rest of the house... it might sound a bit too hopeful but, you never know — it might just do the trick.
Remember: simply does it.
Whatever the style or purpose of your utility space, keep its overall design streamlined. Store things in cupboards, only keep what you need and avoid using lots of colour and pattern as this can make the space feel overly chaotic. That’s not to say you can’t add your personality through patterned fabrics, wallpaper etc, just consider what best keeps you happy and go for that. After all, it’s your home but we guarantee some order and clarity will serve you well in this hardworking space.
Put the 'u' in your 'utility room' by colour drenching it in your favourite colour. Who knows, that might just be our warm and soothing Calming Peach paint shade?
And there you have it — our selection of 5 tips to transform your utility room into a space that's both stylish and functional. From maximising storage to infusing personality with colour, these ideas will help you create a utility haven you'll love to spend time in, (or at least not hate while doing those chores, just maybe).
And if you need any help with choosing the colours for your space, simply book a colour consultation with us and we'll sort your colour puzzle in no time. It's easy, it's fun... and there's a free option available too.
Share your YesColours home transformation by tagging us on Instagram.