What Is a Utility Room and Do You Need One?
In short
A utility room is a separate space for laundry and household tasks, usually housing the washing machine, tumble dryer, a sink and storage. It keeps noise, clutter and wet coats out of the kitchen. In London homes it is often created in a side return, under the stairs or as part of an extension.
A utility room is a dedicated room for the jobs you would rather not do in the kitchen. Laundry is the main one, but a good utility also takes coats and boots, cleaning kit, recycling, the dog’s bowl and the overflow from the larder. As open plan kitchens have become the heart of London homes, the utility has become the space that keeps them calm.
What a good utility room includes
- Laundry: washing machine and tumble dryer, ideally stacked at a comfortable height to save floor space.
- A sink: for muddy boots, flower arranging and hand washing.
- Worktop: for folding and sorting.
- Tall storage: for the vacuum, ironing board, mop and cleaning products.
- Drying: a rail, a pulley airer or a heated drying cabinet.
- Ventilation: an extractor, essential where clothes are dried indoors.
Depending on space, some homes add a boot room bench, a second fridge or freezer, or a dog shower.
Where to fit one in a London home
Space is the challenge in most London houses, but there are good options:
- Side return: part of a side return extension can become a narrow utility next to the kitchen.
- Under the stairs: enough for a stacked washer and dryer with storage behind joinery doors.
- A converted outrigger room or former WC in a Victorian terrace.
- Part of a new extension, planned in from the start.
- Basement or lower ground floor, where a whole floor is being renovated.
- A laundry cupboard on the bedroom floor, which many families prefer because that is where clothes live.
What to plan for
A utility needs water, waste, power and ventilation, so it is easier to build in during a wider renovation, while services are being moved anyway at first fix. Stacked appliances need the right supports and access for servicing. Flooring should cope with water, and a sink with a proper splashback will take everyday use.
Do you need one?
If laundry is currently in the kitchen and you are planning an open plan space, a utility makes a real difference to how the kitchen looks and sounds. Many buyers also see a utility as a mark of a well planned family home. In a smaller flat, a well designed laundry cupboard often gives most of the benefit.
How we handle utility rooms on London’s Prestige projects
We plan utility space as part of the kitchen and extension layout, so services, joinery and finishes are designed together rather than added later. Your project manager coordinates the plumbing, electrics, ventilation and joinery so the utility is finished to the same standard as the kitchen it supports. See the craftsmanship on our Clairville Gardens kitchen in Hanwell, explore our kitchen renovation service, or book a site visit and we will show you where a utility could go in your home.
Common questions
How small can a utility room be?
A stacked washer and dryer with storage alongside can fit in around one square metre of floor space behind joinery doors. A sink and worktop need more, typically a narrow room or part of a side return.
Does a utility room need planning permission?
Not if it is created inside the existing house. If it is part of an extension, the extension itself may need planning permission or fall under permitted development.
Does a utility room add value?
It is a feature many buyers look for in family homes, particularly alongside an open plan kitchen. Its value depends on the property, so think of it mainly as an improvement to daily life.