Washing, ironing and folding may not be the most complicated of household chores, but we’ve still been doing it all wrong, according to the Americans. Apparently, we should be installing our utility rooms – housing washing machines, tumble dryers and ironing boards – upstairs, rather than downstairs, to make our lives a whole lot easier.
The trend for upstairs utilities is on the increase in the UK, says Nina Harrison of property advisors Haringtons. “Those with the space and means are creating full utility rooms upstairs, while others are concealing washers and dryers in family bathrooms or deep wardrobes on the landing. Years ago, when many Americans were relocating to London in the mid- to late-Nineties, they often insisted on upstairs laundry facilities, which might have stemmed from the fact that American basements traditionally house laundry rooms, and laundry chutes are more commonplace there.”
As most British homes don’t have laundry chutes, American buyers wanted their utility rooms as close as possible to their bedrooms. Now, says Harrison, “It would appear that the practicality of this is now spreading beyond just international buyers in London.”
At the moment, it seems we’re continuing to prioritise the most practical of rooms at home in Britain: searches for “laundry room inspiration” have quadrupled on Pinterest in the past six months, and searches for “modern laundry room” have increased by 85 per cent.
Luckily, you don’t need the supersized proportions of a Stateside mansion to iron out the finer details. As Lisa White, director of strategic forecasting at trend forecasters WGSN, explains: “Although the footprints of our homes are usually smaller in the UK than in the US, a dedicated laundry area is still achievable – it’s simply about being small-space savvy. We’re seeing consumers opting for more flexible spaces, and zoning off areas or nooks for practical access to laundry. These aren’t just for washing and drying, either: they’re dedicated to home care and include storage for cleaning supplies and fresh linens. In an increasingly complex world, multifunctional spaces that save time and trouble to smooth out the domestic sphere are definitely on the rise.”
Danny Whitebread and Danny Dagher, who are documenting the renovation of their Victorian house in London, on Instagram at @dannysquared, are a case in point. “We’re putting the utility room upstairs so it’s close to the bedrooms, where the majority of the items will go, while making laundry chores more convenient and keeping it all out of the kitchen,” says Whitebread. To carve out the space, they are reducing the size of the two bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms to create utility with ample cupboard space, a handy laundry rail, a radiator for faster drying and proper ventilation. They are also matching the limestone tiling and shaker cupboards to those in the kitchen, to maintain a cohesive look throughout the house.
They’re not alone, as Laura Watts, an associate in the lettings team at estate agency Knight Frank, can attest. “The first time I saw this trend was in South Kensington, London, where the homeowner had installed utility cupboards on each landing and a full utility room in the basement. It was a tall, skinny house and I thought it was genius having the machines near the bedrooms. My overseas clients always seem shocked when they see them in the kitchen!” Currently on the market with the agent for £1.85 million is Cedars, a four-bedroom home in Guildford, Surrey, featuring a first-floor laundry room located conveniently between the main bedroom and dressing room.
In London, Harrods Estates is listing a £6.75 million period townhouse in Chelsea complete with a small but perfectly formed utility room on the first floor. Luckily, there’s a lift that services four of five levels, so even the heaviest of loads can be moved around the house without breaking a sweat. The agency’s residential director, Shaun Drummond, points out: “Historically, Georgian and Victorian homes were built with the expectation that a team of staff would handle chores, most of which would be confined to the lower-ground floors. However, as these basement areas are increasingly being converted into family kitchens where owners spend the majority of their time, they’re creating small utility rooms for washers and dryers in previously overlooked spaces on the upper levels.”
Interior designer Rimma Monk has just added the finishing touches to an upstairs utility for a client. “Recently, our studio received a brief to design a home where the client wanted a first-floor laundry room adjacent to the bathrooms and bedrooms,” she says. “They wanted to streamline the entire process, from washing and drying to ironing and storing, all on a single floor, which also frees up valuable square footage on the ground floor.”
But it’s not a solution that suits everyone, warns Monk: “While having a utility room upstairs offers many conveniences, it doesn’t suit all households. For some, the noise and vibrations from washers and dryers can be disruptive, especially in bedrooms. Additionally, older homes might lack the structural capacity to support heavy appliances upstairs without significant modifications, potentially leading to increased renovation costs. Limited space on upper floors could also pose a challenge, making it difficult to incorporate a functional and efficient laundry area.”
There’s also the question of where you hang your washing: if you like to dry it on a line in the garden, for example, bear in mind that you will have to carry a basket of heavy, wet washing down the stairs to hang it out, so a laundry room at the top of the house may not be the best fit.
“It’s crucial to assess your home’s layout and family’s lifestyle before deciding on the utility room’s location,” says Monk.
If you’re inspired to level up your utility room, Mike Flanagan, a tradesman whose firm, Faulkner Surveyors, is listed on Checkatrade, advises: “When converting an upstairs space into a laundry room, all moisture must be extracted to avoid mould issues. Thereafter, an extractor must run while the washing machine is in operation and continue for 15 to 20 minutes post-wash.” He adds: “The rough cost for fitting an upstairs utility is between £3,000 and £6,000, including installation and plumbing, plus reinforcing floors, adding cabinetry and buying the washing machine and tumble dryer.”
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