Your utility room might be one of the most hardworking and necessary rooms in your home but it definitely doesn't have to be the most mundane. Plan your laundry room right and you'll have your home running smoothly in no time at all. Take a look at these fabulous and functional utility and laundry room ideas and prepare to be inspired...

If you don't have a utility room a cupboard will do nicely. And if it's upstairs, all the better, after all that's where all the dirty washing is! This built-in bathroom cupboard with handy concertina doors can fit in a compact washing machine making it an ideal dual-purpose washing and drying space. A white pegboard and shelving above keeps soaps and detergents within easy reach too.

When living in an open-plan home, the laundry run can be a noisy business. So, concealing the loud washing machine and tumble dryer behind closed doors will be advantageous. We love this utility room idea that creates a separate soundproofed zone yet glass doesn't alter the broken-plan vibe.

If you own a garage with an internal door to your house, why not convert a garage wall into a utility zone? Arrange wall-mounted shelving around a washing machine and tumble dryer to create a compact laundry area that makes the most of every inch of space. 

Give your laundry room an innovative and orderly vibe with storage solutions that are beautiful as well as useful. These shallow taupe storage boxes look super smart stacked using bamboo lids and labelled for convenience. 

Getting the laundry done probably isn't top of your well-being priority list, but a space that's pleasant and filled with light can make the job therapeutic. If possible, choose a room that has many windows and go for a colour palette that is calming such as soothing soft blue. Use the light-filled windowsills to grow potted plants and spring blooms. 

Tiny or narrow utility rooms often lack floor space so a wall-mounted clothes rail is a super simple and handy idea. Add a wooden pole or even a shower rail above a radiator for quick drying or over the sink or draining board to drip-dry items. 

Create a flow from your kitchen to your utility room by matching the look throughout by using the same range of cabinets, tiles and flooring. Streamline the finish with matching task lighting.

Jazz up an ordinary utility room with a feature splashback. Not only is it a practical asset, but it can also be a stylish starting point to coordinate and match storage containers and accessories. The deep grey containers in this utility room pick out the geometric tile patterns with a chic urban edge. 

Utility rooms are rarely large spaces so reclaim unused surfaces to create a space-effective small room. A high shelf above the counter is handy for often-used items. Colour coordinated containers arranged at the back of the worktop look stylish and orderly.

Don't let small spaces stop you from owning a utility room; you can arrange one just about anywhere. This enclosed balcony has been transformed into a light-filled laundry room with budget friendly-storage and colourful seating.

Yes, the utility room is a practical place to get jobs done, but that does not mean you can't make them pretty. Create visual and inspirational interest to open shelves using glass containers and items that coordinate in colour. This shelf display looks subtle and fresh with an array of soothing pastels tones. 

Need more drying space? Then look up! Classic pulley air-dryers have been used in sculleries and laundry rooms for hundreds of years and are a tried and tested method of clothes drying. Our concern for the environment has given them a revival in recent years as they make good use of warm air trapped in the ceiling space.

You don't need made-to-measure furniture to create a productive and attractive utility room. Create country character by picking out eclectic furniture that was originally intended for something else. Hallway hooks and a farmhouse-style console table transforms this pretty corner into a charming utility work station.

Drying drawers are a neat alternative to clothes horses and a perfect solution for delicate items of clothing as the clothes lay flat and not pulled out of shape. This laundry room has been fitted with bespoke units that house the drawers and wrap around the washing and dryer machines for a streamlined finish in the small space. 

Utility rooms needn't be dull and unsophisticated, they can be colourful spaces too. Rustic cabinetry and basic shelves have been totally transformed by a feature wall painted in gorgeous forest green. White metal storage and pendant lighting looks bright and fresh against the rich colour behind and adds a vintage vibe to the room. 

If the room is a bit of a tight squeeze, investing in a washing machine and tumble dryer stacking kit will free up much-needed floor space. Don't attempt it without one as a heavy machine needs to be fitted firmly and securely in place. Keep other items hanging from a simple peg rail to make room for a stylish commercial-grade laundry and sorting bin. 

A modern utility room decorated with grey notes is calm and reliable. This contemporary design is effortlessly practical and super sophisticated. The large window allows the garden to take centre stage and dominate the interior space; the outlook beyond will make household chores seem a breeze. 

A utility room decorated with wooden panels will turn the working space into a cosy and inviting nook. Rustic wooden appliances and metal storage containers add a nostalgic nod to the past. Plus a delightful Roman blind with a stag motif and star ornament gives a charming finish to this quaint laundry room that's both country chic and cute. 

This bright utility room is a superb example of how simple, well-executed design can make a workaday space look glorious. The rich emerald green units instantly transform the plain white room, with neatly stacked washing machines, into a smart room that's a pleasure to spend time in – even if you're folding clothes. Matched with a green and white blind, the bright laundry room becomes up-to-date and refreshing.

As it's where most of us undress anyway, it makes sense to share the bathroom with the washing machine especially if there is no room for a separate utility room. Laundry room-bathrooms are commonplace in European countries like Sweden and Norway and we think it's a practical combination we too should adopt too. 

Make housework less of a chore by turning your laundry room into a happy place. Let in plenty of natural light with a large window or paint the walls a cheery neutral shade to maximise space. Then introduce bursts of vivid colour and fun artwork that will lighten the load. Why not use this room as a pet food station or pet pad, so you can have a furry companion while you work?

A room that requires so much storage often needs little else to make it work. A series of seagrass storage baskets have become a display in themselves in this basic but well-kept laundry room. The natural material warms the white space but with very little to tell them apart, perhaps attractive name labels would make a welcome addition? A white string-tied tag would work perfectly.

Some people need the motivation to start housework and if that's the case don't be afraid to be a little indulgent with your utility room décor to keep you in the mood. Evoke a sense of glamour with rose penny-round wall tiles with a chalky finish, paired with luxurious gold fixtures and fittings that shimmer. 

Keep pets and your house clean after muddy exercise by installing a dedicated pet grooming parlour in your laundry room. The low-level shower is super-handy for washing pets as well as other household items, for instance, walking boots and rubbish bins. Open shelving within arm's reach is practical for storing animal shampoos and grooming gear, while hooks mounted below hold cleaning leads and harnesses, too. 

Give your utility room the ultimate country makeover with a muted backdrop and lots of open shelving. Fill the alcoves with charming homewares like vintage jugs and lanterns, polka dot sewing baskets and tie everything together with china and fabric featuring delightful woodland creatures. 

For a fresh and contemporary take on laundry duties, keep décor to a minimum set against an on-trend colour block backdrop. This modern blonde wood airer and shelving system looks ultra cutting-edge paired with just one simple chair for folded clothing and a tall potted plant for extra greenery.

Whether your utility room is modern or classic, sturdy laundry baskets are a must. Black wire metal makes a great industrial look and is super practical and easy to move on castor wheels. Similar metal furniture and whitewashed brick walls will add to the monochrome vintage vibe. 

Bring the outside in and purify the air with plenty of houseplants. Hang them at various levels from the ceiling for a tropical sense of fun. Green pegs and laundry baskets will pick out the vibrant natural hues, too. 

Utility rooms house lots of cleaning products. Emptying powders and liquids into airtight tins not only keep them safe, dry and longer-lasting, but the coordinated containers also look orderly and attractive. A wash tidy by the sink is a must, too.

Good storage will maximise space and put everything at your fingertips. Cabinets that can hold several household items, like tall ones for mops and the ironing board, will make sure everything has its place.

The secret to easy ironing lies in the ironing board fabric – choose a 100% cotton with a scorch-resistant and heat-retaining coating if possible. Being padded with under-board straps also helps keep it wrinkle-free and snug to the board. 

Good quality appliances make all the difference when it comes to housework efficiency. A hardworking washing machine and tumble dryer will make washdays a breeze even on rainy days. Building stylish cabinetry around white goods will keep the small room practical, attractive and a place you will want to spend time in. 

Utility rooms can also double as a great boot room keeping hallways clear. Make furniture multifunctional like here; a bench has been given cubby-holes for shoes making a feature of the family footwear.

Get upcycling, and turn an old table into a utility station with vintage appeal. A lick of vibrant paint and varnish has created a fabulous feature for chores. Store laundry baskets below and hang tools in a pretty bathroom caddy above.

Mary Poppins once said, "In every job that must be done there is an element of fun". And we agree, so choose ranges that go together to keep organised and motivated. Colour coordinated bags and fabric baskets will keep laundry neatly separated into dirty, washed and ironed. Plus stay one step ahead of the weather with an indoor folding dryer. 

Fake expensive contemporary floor tiles with practical vinyl. A mix of monochrome patterns creates an exquisitely detailed floor that will transform a plain and narrow galley utility room. Team with a bank of white budget cupboards to keeps the room balanced and bright.

A fitted bank of cupboards gives a luxurious and bespoke impression especially when painted in a rich and dramatic dark colour. Glazed countertop cupboards are beautiful for displaying more attractive homewares such as vases and linens as well as the perfect incentive to keep your cupboards well organised.

Peg rails offer a versatile and attractive way to store items, keeping them at easy reach. This one sits beautifully above a deep and practical butler sink. Shaker style is all about doing things simply but perfectly – where better to try it out than your utility room?

Just like your kitchen, a utility room uses a lot of water and a tight space with little ventilation can get damp quickly. Tiling walls and floors is an easy wipe clean solution to combat mould. Lighter colours and reflective surfaces give the room a look of freshness.

Incorporate a good amount of work surface to get jobs done. Polished stone is stylish, durable and matches the period characteristics of this classic utility room beautifully.

Why not convert a utility room drawer into a clever pull-out ironing board? You can buy the fittings from hardware stores or many kitchen companies include them as extra accessories. No more battling with the heavy stand-alone version when you're in hurry. 

Use the walls to store and tidy all the bits and bobs that clutter the laundry room. A peg wall or peg rails are great solutions for hanging all sorts of tools and utensils. Create two tiers: one for tall items like a clothes dryer and the ironing board and use the lower rail to hang laundry baskets off the floor. 

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