There are many reasons as to why a public or semi-public laundry room or utility space may be implemented for commercial use. It could be that an apartment building contains a shared laundry room so that tenants can come and attend to their needs, but in a private space only applicable to residents.

Alternatively, you might run a small sports club or gym in which personal belongings can be washed and cared for outside of sporting events or training sessions. No matter the reason, making sure this space is appropriate with enough room for those who use it is key.

However, in many spaces, these utility rooms can also want for more space. Designing them in a tight, compact and capable manner is the hallmark of success for commercial purposes. While you may not be running this space for-profit, ensuring the practical design elements contribute to increased turnover can allow you to serve more people at once. 

In this post, we intend to help you achieve that with some worthwhile design principles. Without further ado, let us begin:

Stacking Washing Machines & Dryers

Stacking your washing machine and dryer can free up a surprising amount of floor space, but make sure you purchase a stackable washer and dryer so neither unit is going to damage or impede the operation of the other. These can also be coin-operated to ensure that they’re only used when intended, and that each user tries to maximize the load to prevent constant smaller cycles.

If you’re at all concerned, you can use a contractor to install, set up and stack safely with a proper bracket or kit, so you don’t have to worry about stability. This setup both saves space and keeps everything accessible too, and you can use the verticality of the room instead of wasting under-sink storage with two side-by-side units. 

If you’re worried about reaching the controls on the dryer, many have front-facing panels. If you intend to stack them more highly than just two units, a small storage stool may be appropriate, but be mindful of fall hazards.

Shelving Units

Of course, shelving units are a standard method to make use of vertical space.  But in a utility room, you may wish to install larger shelves that are more prominent from the wall and can hold more weight. This way you can easily keep items like laundry detergents, cleaning products, or folded linens organized and within easy reach too. Keeping those chemical-bound items away from the floor to prevent spillage.

From there, make sure the shelves are reinforced in case you store heavy items such as more prominent equipment. Some shelving units are boxed in squares and can stand by themselves against a wall as a unit, and if you have a little space for that, it can help you categorize your items more cleanly and help the visual profile of the space seem more worthwhile, or even assign them to different residents or members.

Decide what kind of visibility you’re looking for, also, as open shelving makes everything identifiable at a glance, while closed shelving can help maintain a tidy appearance by hiding clutter and also retain privacy. This way you can switch out goods as and when you need to.

Cupboard Storage

In a utility room, you want cupboards that can handle humidity and potential splashes from the general wear and tear the room has, such as when you’re cleaning mud from football (soccer) boots. In this case, it’s worth looking for materials like marine-grade plywood or treated wood that won’t warp easily and can be cleaned with basic solutions

It’s also worth considering how the cupboards will conform to the space so you’re not wasting valuable inches. If you’re willing to spend a little more, they can be customized to fit odd corners or tight spaces, which means they conform to the walls and fit your space in the best possible way. 

You can then use them to store bulkier items like mop buckets or an ironing board, which allows you to avoid trip hazards or items just leaning against a wall. Adding pull-out baskets or organizers inside the cupboards can make it even easier to retrieve items without digging through everything too, or help you keep items like laundry baskets out of the way depending on your visual taste.

Wall Hooks

If you don’t have the space to store the freestanding shelving units we recommended above, then wall hooks can be a relatively non-offensive option and help you avoid leaning all your equipment up a wall. This way you can hang a broom, perhaps a dry mop, coats or other necessities in this space without worrying about it.

Just make sure the items are clean before hanging them against the wall of course, the last thing you need are mop stains and other visual tarnishes that can come from daily usage.

At Least One Large Surface & Sink

In this space, you’ll almost certainly need a sturdy countertop or even more if you can fit them. Stainless steel is great because it’s tough and very, very easy to clean. If you prefer something warmer, a sealed butcher block (wood) can look fantastic and can take all the hardships and dings you might otherwise impose upon it.

Then you can add a deep sink nearby. It doesn’t have to be huge, but something that can handle messy tasks like washing muddy boots or rinsing gardening tools makes life much easier. A large ceramic sink with taps that can be unhooked and aimed/angled isn’t a bad idea, and depending on your use, you may also wish for a divided sink setup.

Effective Lighting

The great thing about a utility room is that you don’t have to make it look like a beautiful catalog or showroom space. What is practical is what works best. In this case, aim for bright, even lighting that doesn’t create harsh shadows. LED fixtures work well, as they’re energy-efficient and provide clear, white light that helps you see what you’re doing.

You can also consider task lighting for specific areas like your work surface or near the washer and dryer. A simple under-cabinet light can make sorting laundry or checking garment care labels much easier, and they’re relatively cheap. Just make sure they can withstand some water because of the nature of this space. The last thing you need is to short out a fuse or put yourself at risk because of a messy user.

Simple Tiles & Aesthetic Design

Now despite what we said about practical visuals, just because it’s a utility room doesn’t mean it has to look boring. That’s why choosing tiles that are practical but still have some personality can be a nice middle ground, because they’re water resistant and pretty easy to clean. Ceramic or porcelain tiles will work best for that purpose.

We’d recommend neutral colors like soft grays or warm beiges because they can make the space feel clean and intentional, but of course, you can also opt for any pattern you feel is most appropriate. Who knows, maybe you’ll go for a huge Roman mosaic. These rooms are rather private and for a dedicated purpose, so you can go all out with the most indulgent display if you really prefer that. Perhaps a huge emblem of your sports team is in order!

A Robust Splashback

Utility rooms are wet, and spaces you can clean and deal with various preparations you may not otherwise want to in other spaces of the household. This means you need to protect your walls from such exposure. Perhaps you’re using the angled tap to clean off dirt from the boots as alluded to above, and the pressure against the boot sprays upwards. If this is against your usual painted wall, that’s annoying. If it hits your splashback, it’s a two-minute cleanup job.

Extend it to a decent height – at least 18 inches above your work surfaces, but ideally as high as is suitable for the space. Materials like ceramic (tiles as discussed), glass, or even stainless steel work well. We’d recommend the latter if you’d prefer something a little more simple and cheap to install, and able to withstand more knocks over time.

Robust, Embedded Plumbing & Wiring

Not all rooms are pre-fitted to become utility spaces, perhaps you’re converting an old spare room into this or maybe an old bathroom you’ve transitioned elsewhere. This is where checking your proper plumbing and electrical work is important, for the purpose of keeping your utility room safe and functional.

You can invest in a few practicalities, such as moisture-resistant electrical outlets, and make sure any wiring is properly sealed and protected. For plumbing, you may consider flexible supply lines and ensure everything is formatted to prevent leaks as appropriate. This way you can ensure that heavy repeated use shouldn’t impeded the general functioning of the room

With this advice, you’ll be sure to design enough space in your utility or laundry room no matter the minor commercial purpose you’re using it for.