Budget laundry room: how we created an affordable utility space
If you are lucky enough to have the space, a dedicated laundry room is a game changer when it comes to drying clothes. Having a well ventilated utility room means you can shut away all your drying clothes from the rest of the house, helping to reduce mould and damp build up in the process.
As a mum to four young children, I do a lot of washing, so I wanted to create a calm and relaxing laundry space to spend my time in. Having spent months on Pinterest pinning images of luxury utility rooms by the likes of Neptune and Tom Howley, I knew I wanted a designer look, but I didn’t have the designer budget to match.
However, it’s entirely possible to create an affordable laundry space whilst still making it look high-end. Read on to discover how I created our luxe utility room on a budget.
Before
After
1. Hide the washing machine and dryer behind doors
Hiding your appliances will create a sleek, streamlined look, immediately elevating your utility room to luxury status. However, you don’t need to spend lots of money on bespoke carpentry to hide them. I followed this super handy tutorial from DIY Kitchens (this Reel also shows you in more detail). Units and doors are the Norton range in the colour Mussel from DIY Kitchens.
Total cost: £583
Inspiration image via Pinterest
Our more budget friendly option
2. Swap quartz worktops for oak
Quartz might look sleek, but if you’re on a tight budget, every penny counts. We saved several hundred pounds by swapping quartz for an oak breakfast bar - ours was cut to a depth of 690mm in order to cover the depth of the washer and dryer. We chose a Howdens Unfinished Oak Solid Wood Breakfast Bar.
Total cost: Approx £180
Inspiration image via Pinterest
Oak worktops are a fraction of the price of quartz
3. Install a Belfast sink for a classic look
Lots of the utility rooms I had saved on Pinterest featured a Belfast sink - not only are they a classic choice, they are super practical too, offering plenty of space to wash or soak clothes. We purchased this Belfast sink from Howdens.
Total cost: £231
4. Choose shaker style doors with oversized knobs
I love the look of shaker style doors for that timeless look, and paired ours with some large satin nickel door knobs from John Lewis (no longer in stock, but these are almost identical) to match the tap (Tre Mercati Little Venice Pewter tap).
Total cost: £160
Chunky door furniture gives a designer look
Knobs were placed in the centre of the doors rather than the top
5. Swap limestone floor tiles for porcelain
A lot of the classic utility spaces I loved all featured beautiful limestone floor tiles. Unfortunately we didn’t have the budget to match, so opted for an inexpensive porcelain concrete effect tile from Johnson Tiles outlet. Porcelain tiles are also much easier to maintain, as unlike limestone tiles, they won’t require sealing.
Total cost: Approx £150
Inspiration image via Pinterest
Budget friendly alternative porcelain tiles
6. Install a hanging dryer to free up floor space
Keep your laundry space looking elegant with a ceiling mounted clothes airer. Not only are they practical - drying clothes faster with the hot air that rises - they also look stylish too. We installed a 1.8m Kitchen Maid pulley airer above two towel radiators - that’s enough drying space for two full wash loads!
Total cost: £166
Clothes pulley lowered down to load the washing
And pulled up to dry the clothes and free up floor space
All in all, the total spend (excluding labour costs) for our budget friendly utility room makeover came in at £1470. All prices are correct as of Autumn 2021.
If you are planning a home renovation and would like to discuss designs for a utility room or a laundry space, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I offer designs for all budgets of utility and laundry rooms, and happy to talk through options with you.
