Utility room storage ideas to make the most out of your practical place

Utility rooms are one of the unsung and hardworking heroes in your home. If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the utility room is often the pulse – the room that provides essential support on a daily basis to keep life flowing smoothly.

As a result, when it comes your utility room storage ideas every millimetre of space counts  – even if you're opting for an on-the-shelf system or using your DIY skills to recycle old kitchen units. Good storage should make everything easy to find, access and use.

From the layout, to the larger cupboards, to the small details that will make the space shine, we've rounded up some suggestions to help keep your room in best working order.

Utility room storage ideas: What do you need?

“Deciding how much storage you need starts with taking an inventory of all the items you plan to store in the utility room," says Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous kitchen company.

"Consider future needs as well, as your household may grow or change over time. Measure your space carefully to ensure you are utilising it efficiently. Prioritise accessibility by making frequently used items easily reachable, and opt for adjustable storage solutions that can adapt to your changing needs.”

Tom Howley

Tom has spent over 20 years designing bespoke kitchen and utility rooms designed to work in harmony with a client's lifestyle, making him an expert on knowing just how to create a functional but beautiful space that meets your needs.

1. Make sure you vary your shelf heights and cupboard size

“A variety of cupboard sizes are crucial in utility room storage ideas," says Tom Howley. "Adjustable shelves are also beneficial as they allow for flexibility in storing items of various heights and sizes."

If you're unable to find the space to create a separate boot room idea, and need to combine cleaning kit with footwear, then tall cupboards can also be practical for outdoor shoes and boots where extra height is often required.

2. Use corner units for extra storage opportunities

"When planning storage for your utility room ideas, consider including as much clever storage as possible," explains Richard Atkins, director at Design Space London. 

Corner units, often seen in fitted wardrobes can be replicated in utility room designs and become a dedicated laundry zone with rails, shelves and ample space to store an iron.

Alternatively, "Le Mans units [corner cupboards with extending/rotating shelves] easily store away mixers, blenders, and other awkward shaped gadgets, alongside irons and washing provisions," suggests Richard.

3. Stack your appliances in a narrow utility room

With floorspace at a premium when it comes to narrow utility room ideas, finding clever ways to fit in everything you need involves thinking upwards.

"Maximise your available space with an tall cupboard, says Molly Chandler, designer at Willis & Stone.  "This allows you to stack your washing machine and tumble dryer on top of one another and is also a great option for a utility space as it will give you vertical storage for ironing boards, brooms, and hoovers for example. 

"Not only does this utilise the full height of the room, but it also allows for easy access, a tidy floorspace and a smooth workflow."

4. Use pull-out storage for heavier items

"Pull out shelves are also a good option as utility room shelving ideas," says Nadine Chadwick, marketing manager at Nolte Kitchens UK, "particularly when used under appliances that aren’t always in use. 

"Although they don’t reduce the number of cupboards, they allow you maximise your cupboard space as much as possible. They also save space and your back," she adds.

Ideas like this are perfect if you use your utility room as an overflow for your kitchen, providing somewhere to store heavier items such as drinks bottles and bulkier purchases of dried goods.

5. Use racking and clear storage boxes in smaller spaces

"If you’re building a utility room from scratch, then you can plan in cupboards that fit your storage," says Simon Glanville, managing director at A Place for Everything.

But, if instead you're renovating or looking for small utility room ideas and want to keep the room cupboard free, "racking and hooks really come into their own in a utility room, suggests Simon, with an additional recommendation. "Open shelves are fine if you have storage boxes with lids that will keep the dust off items."

"Stackable storage is also really useful as it’s a great space saver," adds Craig Sammells, country manager UK & Ireland for the Orthex Group. "But it needs to be accessible," he says. "Opt for transparent storage or products that you can write on with a whiteboard marker. Plastic baskets are useful too as they’re ‘breathable’ so good for hats, gloves and scarves if you’re using your utility area for those items too."

You can buy a range of clear storage boxes, such as this 15L Orthex Smart Store box from John Lewis

Simon Glanville

Simon Glanville has lived and breathed storage for over 20 years, growing the storage and organisational retailer 'A Place for Everything' from an initial bricks and mortar store in Chester. When it comes to practical and stylish storage solutions, there's very little Simon can't help with.

Craig Sammells

Craig Sammells is country manager for the UK and Ireland at one of Scandinavia’s biggest storage manufacturers, Orthex Group. Craig has worked with retailers to create a collection of products that is perfect for UK consumers’ love of decluttering. As it's made from either fully recycled or recyclable plastic, it’s perfect for eco-conscious consumers too.

6. Freestanding utility room storage can still fulfil your needs

If you don't have enough space to dedicate an entire room for a full utility, there are loads of freestanding units in a variety of styles that can hide away essential items in other spaces. 

When you've housed your washing machine and laundry appliances in a garage conversion idea for example, you may not have gone to the expense of adding fitted cupboards, but now find yourself searching for solutions.

The good news is, there are freestanding utility room storage ideas designed with this in mind. Often referred to as housekeeper's cupboards, they're a neat and compact way of storing laundry and cleaning equipment that may otherwise need a home.

Opt for designs with variety of shelves, drawers and extra hanging spots and it's a mini utility room in one. Units with pocket doors can also simply slide away or close off for a tidy interior. 

7. Pick pretty but practical stacking storage containers

If open cupboards are your preferred aesthetic when it comes to your utility room, make sure you choose storage solutions you're happy to have on display. And - if they all look the same and aren't transparent, make sure you choose solutions that allow you to label them. No-one wants to be searching for candles if you've had a power cut.

"Go for plastic baskets with bamboo lids, or baskets in soft pastel colours," suggests Craig Sammells.

8. Think vertically when choosing your utility room storage ideas

We often assume ceilings are just for utility room lighting ideas, but they can provide as much valuable storage as other parts of the room.

“If you're looking to add extra storage without adding more cupboards, consider utilising vertical space," says Tom Howley. "Installing shelves or hanging racks above existing cabinets and appliances can create additional storage without taking up floor space."

In this design from Howdens, suspending a drying rack from the ceiling provides space for drying clothes leaving the floor free.

"Vertical storage is also something we’re really keen on," adds Simon Glanville, "and that can come in a range of different options. Using bespoke vertical racking on a wall is one solution, but also consider hanging storage on the back of the room door or smaller versions in cupboards. 

"Make sure you also look out for products like ironing board storage hooks or shelves (which you can keep the iron on too)."

9. Double up with bespoke storage solutions

Drawers, baskets and pull out storage are just as effective in your utility room storage ideas as cupboards of varying sizes.

Choose deep pull out drawers for bulkier items such as pet bowls and food, but add a smaller drawer above for linens and less cumbersome utensils. Doubling up makes the most of all of your available space.

“When it comes to hidden away storage, cabinets with doors are perfect for keeping items out of sight," says Tom Howley, "maintaining a clean and uncluttered look. Pull-out baskets can discreetly store items while keeping them accessible, and built-in solutions can hide even larger kitchen appliances."

10. Match your utility units to your kitchen for a seamless storage flow

If you're installing a brand new utility, match the units to the main kitchen storage ideas and design for a seamless appearance.  

"If the utility room is visible from the main kitchen then continuing the finishes and style throughout can create a harmonious look and make the room feel larger," explains Richard Atkins. 

"Opting for the same colour throughout helps to visually tie the look together. You can however go for materials that are more cost effective and practical, for example, less expensive cabinetry and flooring, which can be more appropriate for a multi-use room like a utility room. 

"You can also continue with key elements such as the same handles and worksurface materials to keep in with the general style of the kitchen. As your utility room is a busy space, often storing large items such as the washing machine, tumble dryer, ironing board as well as hanging coats, boots and pet baskets, each element of the room should be chosen with practicality in mind."

FAQs

What are the key storage requirements in a utility room?

If you're looking for guidance before you start planning your utility room layout ideas, here's what the experts recommend you include:

“Ample cabinet space is essential for storing laundry detergents, cleaning supplies, and other household essentials," says Tom Howley. Having a range of utility room shelving ideas is a must.

"Open shelving provides easy access to frequently used items, while dedicated hanging space can be used for air-drying clothes or hanging freshly ironed garments," adds Tom.

"Including drawers is useful for organising smaller items like sponges, cloths, and tools, and bins or baskets can help with sorting laundry, recycling, or holding bulky items.”

“A variety of cupboard sizes are crucial," adds Tom. "Tall cabinets are perfect for storing brooms and mops, while smaller cupboards can house detergents and other small items. Medium-sized cupboards are ideal for tools and supplies."

"Hooks and rails provide practical hanging solutions for items like ironing boards, mops, and cleaning tools, and pull-out baskets offer easy access to laundry or cleaning supplies," says Tom. "Wall-mounted storage solutions like pegboards or magnetic strips are also excellent for organising tools and small items.”

What are the best storage solutions?

"It’s all about ease of access," says Simon Granville. "I'd say the best storage solutions based on the most common utility room uses are:

• Laundry kit – stackable boxes with lids are good for small items like pegs, while sturdy open containers with a handle are perfect for detergents
• Cleaning supplies - style-wise look for powder-coated stainless steel caddies – plain contemporary white or nostalgic cream with text. Wheeled cleaning caddies are great for under the sink
• Tools - racking is perfect for hanging tools if you have the room. Use special hooks or hanging baskets designed to work with racking. Otherwise again caddies are useful on the countertop or shelves
• Sports equipment – there are lots of great options! From racks and hooks that you can hang up rackets, scooters and helmets on to special ball storage stands which take up to 3 footballs. Any potentially sharp items like skates, use lidded storage boxes
• Pet items – if you buy dry food in bulk, look for airtight storage or if you tend to decant biscuits into a cat/dog/hamster jar as you go along, then go for a colour and design to suit! There are lots of stylish designs and materials to choose from like coated stainless steel with bamboo lids and opt for a design with a useful scoop

How do you create storage in a laundry room?

"The size of the room, location of the property and the clients’ requirements should determine what laundry appliances are required and whether adding a sink is sensible or possible," advises Richard Atkins. 

"For instance, a combined washer dryer may be sufficient for a small city centre apartment but for a larger home we’d look at bigger separate appliances and a sink for cleaning shoes / clothes.

"If space allows, leave a good size of floor space for drying racks to be put up out of sight and ironing to be done within the room."

How do I make my storage work in a small utility room?

"Even the smallest of spaces, can be transformed to accommodate well-equipped utility rooms," says Martin Moore's Richard Moore. "Custom designing is key. Take the time to consider not only how you will use the space but importantly, what will need to be stored. This will allow you to incorporate clever storage solutions and include only what you need within the space. 

"Where space permits include storage for coat hanging, shoe storage and shelving for things like light bulbs/ tool kits etc," adds Richard Atkins.

Keen to get moving with your utility room storage ideas but haven't yet got a utility room to use them in? Find out just what you should budget for your utility room cost, whether you're building, extending or renovating an existing space.