ON TREND Thoughtful Utility Spaces

by TruKitchens

Thoughtful Utility Spaces

Make Life Easier

UTILITY SPACES LIKE MUDROOMS, laundry rooms, and pantries are never the main drivers in discussing a client’s dream home. Homeowners spend much more time fantasizing about the spaces that guests will see, like the kitchen and living room. However, it’s the often-unseen spaces that are crucial in keeping families organized, containing the mud and mess, helping prep for meals, and keeping piles of laundry contained every single day. Considerable time is spent in these spaces so considerable time should be spent in designing these spaces. The success of the utility spaces can mean the difference in a client loving their home or feeling like their home doesn’t fit their lifestyle.

Mudrooms/Garage Entries

The backdoor entry is not usually the place designed to set the first impression for guests. It’s the dumping ground for backpacks, keys, muddy shoes, and jackets for every Midwest season. But a backdoor entry should be an extension of the design of a home, not an afterthought. Important functional considerations should be made to make it more enjoyable to come home and instantly feel at ease because everything has a place. The design of this space should also make it easier to leave home feeling less frazzled.

Custom cabinetry provides a beautiful place to hide the mess. Tall locker-type cabinets either in the garage or in the entry itself, are helpful in inspiring kids to keep their things organized. If space is limited, hooks, or pegs, with a built-in storage bench below also do the trick. Lower cabinetry with countertops create useful surfaces for setting mail and keys. Even better, are the integration of utility sinks and dog wash stations to keep the mud contained. For added luxury, a washer and dryer right in this space can make quick work of those dirty outdoor clothes and towels.

Laundry Rooms

Laundry is rarely a favorite chore; add a few kids and it’s also the chore that’s never finished. In today’s busy world and thanks to modern appliances, laundry is a task that often gets done in between all the other to-dos of the day. This translates to mountains of laundry jammed into one space or scattered throughout the home. A dedicated, thoughtfully designed space is a musthave when it comes to laundry.

The laundry room location is flexible but placement nearest the bedrooms is best. Upper cabinetry keeps laundry products hidden but within reach. Lower cabinets with countertops create surfaces that make it possible to fold and store laundry until it can be put away. Utility sinks for

soaking and rinsing are especially helpful with very soiled clothing. Custom additions like built in hampers, dropout ironing boards, retractable drying racks, and hanging rods give clothing a place to live no matter the stage of completion. Laundry room luxuries include multiple washers and dryers or even dedicated appliances placed right inside a generous master closet.

Pantries

Since the Middle Ages, pantries have been storing food, tableware, and other kitchen items as well as aiding in food prep and meal cleanup. As the kitchen evolved into an informal space that served as the center of the home for family and guests alike, the pantry was paired down to a simple storage area. However, this space is receiving attention again thanks to the reignited passion for entertaining at home. Functionality and beauty are working together in these spaces like never before.

Functionally, pantries should have ample cabinetry to house all those modern kitchen gadgets and groceries. Small appliances like microwaves, built-in coffee makers, beverage centers, and ice makers make their home in the modern pantry. Countertops, sinks, and electrical outlets make food prep right in the pantry easy. Many pantries also serve as the family command center displaying calendars, grocery lists, and keeping mail organized. These pivotal spaces aren’t always hidden behind doors anymore either. The beautiful designs in these pantries are often left open to the kitchen or are framed by unique doors.

At TruKitchens, we have a passion for making home a place that functions well and is designed beautifully to reflect the people that live in it. We know the difference that a well-thought out design makes, especially in the utility spaces that keep a family going. Our designers find joy in flushing out the details and walking homeowners through the spaces they didn’t realize were so important. We want to help you create a home that is you, from top to bottom; it all starts with the initial consultation.

Todd Wiley

Senior Designer, TruKitchens 616.957.1969 hello@trukitchens.com trukitchens.com