PRODUCTS | Utility rooms and boot rooms
5. This Masterclass Boot Room, showcased in its Hardwick range, is one of the brand’s most popular images on Pinterest, with over 13,000 views each month
6. This utility and boot room by
Nolte features white soft matt fronts from the Feel range. The washing machine and dryer are integrated at a back-friendly height, with an option to sort clothes in the pull-outs with baskets underneath. The cabinet to the left of that offers ample storage for crates. The area on the right is
reserved for clothing and changing, with a space to sit down
recommends having a mix of open and closed storage, so everything needed to hand is accessible. Open shelving can also add personality and offer the customer the opportunity to style the space.
When thinking about the layout, there will, of course, need to be a conversation with the customer to ascertain how the space is likely to be used and how many people are in the household, as this will influence layout. Generally speaking, “an L-shape or galley layout is best as easy access to the outside is usually required,” comments Symphony sales and marketing director, Simon Collyns. “Alternatively, a util- ity or boot room behind a pocket door could be a good solution. A completely separate room with walls and a full door is not essential.
Leanne Adamson, marketing manager at
5.
If you can demonstrate how time and effort will be saved so that life will be more comfortable and the home will be a more pleasant place to be, you are making the idea even more attractive
Simon Collyns, sales and marketing director, Symphony
Abode, adds: “Note should be taken of where the external drainage and water supply are located, as these will be needed for laundry appliances and a utility sink. It is important that
consumers consider how they will make use of the space, which may be determined in itself by the room’s location. Ideally, a utility room would be close to the kitchen and have access
6.
to the exterior of the property, with good ventilation.”
Appliances, where possible, should be positioned on raised plinths, off the floor, as this will make loading and unloading easier. If space is at a premium, consider stacking them. Again, ventilation is crucial if you are planning on installing laundry appliances in these rooms.
Sanitising Finally, a sink is another must for the utility room. This could be used as a sanitising station for people to wash their hands when they come in, and also for mucky jobs like cleaning wellies or wringing out the mop. For some people, who might be more vulnerable to Covid-19, a sanitising area might be a priority. “In these cases,” notes InHouse Inspired Room Design managing director Wayne Dance, “having a utility room to store parcels, shopping and other items while the virus dies are a real consideration.”
So, what about the boot room? The boot room may not even be a room, but just an area near the entrance or near the back of the house with, or instead of, a utility area. It could potentially be positioned in a niche and screened off with a pocket door. Again, the layout and what’s included will depend on the family and their lifestyle.
Of course, there will have to be plenty of ventilated storage for shoes, boots and coats, but then the space
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can be tailored to suit the needs of the customer. Does the family own a dog? Do the kids have muddy hobbies? If so, these things will need to be accommodated.
Brandt Design head of operations Julia Steadman comments: “I think the key to a welcoming boot room is to be generous in terms of shelving, hooks and cupboard space, with ample pigeonholes that are extra deep to accommodate winter shoes and everyday essentials.
“Practical fixed seating is also helpful, giving scope to incorporate built-in storage under the seats for a streamlined aesthetic and welcome area to sit and greet visitors.” Diane Berry adds: “Try to start with a comprehensive list, as we all have a lot of the same things, but remember, medicines, shoe cleaning, batteries, lamps, pet food, vacuums, ironing boards, bird seed, fish food, the list just grows, and it does focus your mind on why these spaces are super- important. A good designer will really deal with how to make the very best of these spaces.”
A dog’s life
In the UK our pooches are top priority and are pampered as a consequence. There was a boom in puppy sales during 2020 as furloughed home- owners made impulse purchases, and while some of these now can’t be cared for and are being rehomed, for many of us, our pets are now cherished more than ever.
· June 2021
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