Kitchen design
Utility Room Ideas: From Victorian Scullery to Modern Laundry
How the old scullery became today's utility room, and how to plan one that takes the mess out of the kitchen.
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Large Victorian and Edwardian houses had a scullery next to the kitchen for the wet, messy work: washing pots, scrubbing vegetables and laundry. The modern utility room does the same job, and moving the washing machine, boots and cleaning kit out of the kitchen makes the kitchen itself far calmer.
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What a good utility room holds
- A sink, ideally deep: a ceramic Belfast sink is ideal for soaking and muddy jobs.
- Laundry: washing machine and dryer, stacked if space is tight, plus somewhere to hang or fold.
- Tall storage for the vacuum, mop and ironing board.
- Boot and coat space if it doubles as a back entrance.
Planning tips
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Plumbing and drainage | Machines and a sink need water and waste close by |
| Ventilation | Dryers and wet laundry create a lot of moisture |
| Flooring | Choose something water-resistant and easy to mop |
| Worktop | A counter over the machines gives a folding surface |
Style
A utility room is a good place to be bolder than the kitchen: a strong paint colour, patterned tiles or open shelving.
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Frequently asked questions
What should go in a utility room?
A deep sink, the washing machine and dryer, tall storage for the vacuum and mop, and somewhere to hang or fold laundry.
Does a utility room need ventilation?
Yes. Dryers and wet laundry produce a lot of moisture, so an extractor fan or a vented dryer is important.
What is a scullery?
A small room next to the kitchen in Victorian and Edwardian houses for wet, messy work like washing pots and laundry: the forerunner of the utility room.