As multifunctional living becomes a necessity, the bootility has emerged as a sought-after feature in the home. Understandably, not all homes have the capacity for a separate utility and boot room. However, with clever planning and tactful design, even the smallest spaces can house a thoughtful combination of the two.

Cool and practical utility room

York House Designs

Before we started this dream laundry room was a draughty lean-to with all sorts of heating and plumbing on show. Now all of that is stylishly housed but still easily accessible and surrounded by storage. Contemporary, charcoal wood grain and knurled brass handles give these shaker doors a cool, modern edge.

Sunlit Kitchen

Kitchens by Eileen

Design ideas for a transitional galley laundry room in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, blue walls, porcelain floors, a side-by-side washer and dryer, grey floor, white benchtop and panelled walls.

Sydney

Designs By Deanne

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall dedicated laundry room in Sydney with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, white walls, laminate floors, a side-by-side washer and dryer, brown floor, white benchtop and panelled walls.

Mona Vale

Northern Beaches Kitchens and Bathrooms

Photo of a mid-sized beach style galley utility room in Sydney with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, engineered quartz splashback, white walls, travertine floors, a concealed washer and dryer, multi-coloured floor, multi-coloured benchtop, coffered and panelled walls.

Belrose Laundry

Northern Beaches Kitchens and Bathrooms

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley dedicated laundry room in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, engineered quartz splashback, white walls, porcelain floors, a side-by-side washer and dryer, grey floor, multi-coloured benchtop, vaulted and panelled walls.

Classic Bootility Room

Tom Howley

In a bootility you should opt for a mix of open and closed storage, providing an opportunity for organisation and efficiency, making family life a whole lot easier.

Classic Bootility Room

Tom Howley

Bulky appliances such as washing machines and tumble dryers often take up a considerable amount of space in the kitchen. Moving them to a dedicated full-height cabinet in your utility allows you to hide them out of sight when not in use. Stacking them vertically also frees up valuable floor space and makes it easier for you to load washing.

Classic Bootility Room

Tom Howley

Although a bootility is one of the most practical rooms in the home, that doesn't mean you can't make a statement with style. This featured Tom Howley Hartford bootility is finished in our timeless Chicory paint colour with traditional panelling, beautiful oak bench seating and open shelving to create a warm welcome even on the rainiest days.

Classic Bootility Room

Tom Howley

This charming boot room and utility is full of beautiful details and oh so useful features. Hartford cabinetry painted in Chicory, traditional panelling and brass hardware combine to create a classic country look. Floating shelves add to the charm whilst providing additional storage space for everyday essentials.

Classic Bootility Room

Tom Howley

There are surprises behind every door in this beautiful bootility. Rooms like this can be designed to house a range of storage solutions and bulky appliances that usually take up a considerable amount of space in the kitchen. Moving large appliances to a dedicated full-height cabinet allows you to hide them out of sight when not in use. Stacking them vertically also frees up valuable floor space and makes it easier for you to load washing.

Classic Bootility Room

Tom Howley

A Tom Howley bootility can combine a range of storage solutions. Tall pantry style storage can be designed for specific jobs such as housing an ironing board, laundry products and baskets or essential cleaning supplies. Other small kitchen appliances that may be cluttering up your kitchen can also be stored in a utility.

Classic Bootility Room

Tom Howley

Formerly named the scullery, the utility is fast becoming a room high up on homebuyers wishlists. Located just off the kitchen, it's usually the engine of the house used for laundry, storing cleaning supplies and large appliances Tall pantry style storage can be designed for specific jobs such as housing an ironing board, laundry products and baskets or essential cleaning supplies. Other small kitchen appliances that may be cluttering up your kitchen can also be stored in a utility.

Wood panelling and quartz splash back

York House Designs

Classic Bootility Room

Tom Howley

A Bootility room can be dog friendly too. In addition to your usual storage solutions, you can design a comfortable nook for a dog bed, a dedicated food station and hooks for leads. There is also a trend for purpose-built pet showers, ideal for washing muddy paws after a long country walk.

Classic Bootility Room

Tom Howley

No boot room is complete without bespoke bench seating. Here, we've added a contrasting oak seat for warmth and additional storage underneath—the perfect space for removing muddy boots and gathering everything you need for the day ahead.

Classic Bootility Room

Tom Howley

The beauty of bespoke is that you can tailor a space to your lifestyle needs, even creating cosy nooks for your beloved pets. This multifunctional bootility includes a comfortable area where four-legged friends can relax and sleep after a long country walk, a dedicated food station and hooks for leads or collars.

Classic Bootility Room

Tom Howley

In a bootility room it's always good to have a mixture of concealed cabinets and open shelving designed to simplify everyday tasks. If the space is more laundry-focused, you can use floating shelving to place detergents out of reach, store spare towels, and keep household essentials streamlined and organised in baskets or jars. Whilst you should let walls share the workload, you should still consider work surface space and low fitted cabinets to maximise storage capacity.

Belrose Laundry

Northern Beaches Kitchens and Bathrooms

Classic Bootility Room

Tom Howley

Understandably, not all homes have the capacity for a separate utility and boot room. However, with clever planning and tactful design, even the smallest spaces can house a thoughtful combination of the two.

Laundry Room Design Ideas with Engineered Quartz Splashback and Panelled Walls

Laundry designs seldom receive the attention they deserve, especially considering how often they’re used. A well-planned laundry, complete with built-in cabinets, a laundry sink, washing machine and clothes dryer, can serve many needs. It can help simplify your household chores; store drying clothes and cleaning products; and can even provide a spot for you to groom pets. Because of its hardworking, multipurpose potential, a laundry renovation is a worthwhile investment. Smart laundry designs have layouts that save you time and effort. For example, a washing machine and clothes dryer should be positioned next to one another or stacked, and laundry baskets and hampers should be within easy reach; while an ironing board should be stowed by a power point. Ample storage, bench space for laundry baskets and practical lighting are also essential. Browse the photos on Houzz for efficient laundry ideas, from layouts and storage to appliances, and strike up a conversation with the designers of your favourite laundry renovations. For more laundry ideas, browse the Stories section on Houzz.

How do I add storage to my laundry?

A combination of storage solutions is key to running an efficient laundry. Include shelves above or beside the washing machine to store washing detergent, softener and other cleaning products; and laundry bins for dirty clothes. Consider a custom-built cupboard for an ironing board, so it can easily fold out when you need it, or mount the ironing board directly to the wall or on the back of a door. A retractable clothesline is a handy addition to dry delicate clothes, while a clothes hanger mounted to the wall is ideal for hanging freshly pressed shirts.

What else can I use my laundry for?

Multipurpose laundry rooms or utility rooms can help save valuable space in your home. The laundry sink can be used to bathe your furry friends; your laundry cupboard can store sports equipment, gardening tools and umbrellas; and a spare nook can be filled with a desk and chair to create an office space while you wait for your load to finish. If your laundry is at the front of the house, consider using it as a drop station for mail, mobile phones and keys. Include a bench seat or stool, wall-mounted hooks for bags and a coat stand and it can even be used as a place to get the kids organised before you walk out the front door.

How can I decorate my laundry?

Laundries are usually filled to the brim with appliances and storage, so take advantage of your walls when decorating and use cheery paint colours or wallpaper to make doing the chores more pleasant! Fun signs, posters, murals and wall decals will also add character to the space. Think of your storage as decor, too – look for bins and baskets with decorative touches, and use brightly-coloured or patterned hangers.