Is it worth having a utility room?

Author: Prof. Rolando Mante DVM  |  Last update: Saturday, November 1, 2025

A utility room is a valuable addition to any home. It provides a space to store and organise household items, keeps your kitchen clear, and adds value to your home.

Do I really need a utility room?

On the whole, adding a utility room is usually a worthwhile investment. Many buyers see their inclusion in a property's description as beneficial, so even if you break even on cost you'll likely attract more potential buyers to your home when you want to sell.

Do laundry rooms add value to a home?

Yes, adding a laundry room can indeed add value to your home. A well-designed laundry room is a highly sought-after feature for many homebuyers, making it a valuable addition to your property.

Is a utility room essential?

Why should you have a utility room? A utility room is known as 'the engine of the home'. It's an apt name, considering it keeps your house running like a well-oiled machine behind the scenes.

How much does it cost to do a utility room?

In the UK, the cost of a utility room extension can vary widely, typically ranging from £7,000 to £20,000 depending on factors like size, materials, and complexity. This investment can significantly improve your daily living experience by providing a practical and organised space.

What To Consider When Planning Your Utility Room

What do people use utility rooms for?

Uses. The utility room has several uses but typically functions as an area to do laundry. This room contains laundry equipment such as a washing machine, tumble dryer, ironing boards and clothes iron. The room is also used for closet organization and storage.

How much are utilities for a one bedroom?

The average cost of utilities for a one-bedroom apartment in the U.S. is $133.04. However, if you share utilities with roommates, that cost could be lower. For example, the average cost of utilities for a 3-Bedroom apartment is $265.86, but split three ways, that total is only $88.62 per person.

Where should I put my utility room?

“The best place to position a utility room is off the kitchen, with a door leading to the outside, although this should not be the only access to the kitchen,” Charlie Turner says.

Is a utility room habitable?

Typically, habitable rooms provide the living accommodation of the dwelling. They include living room, dining room, study, home office, conservatory and bedrooms. They exclude the bathroom, WC, utility room, storeroom, circulation space and kitchen (unless it provides space for dining).

Can you put a toilet in a utility room?

If you're lucky enough to have a larger utility room, there's still a great opportunity to create that extra toilet for a busy household. This utility room is larger and the extra Hidealoo can be discreetly tucked away and pulled out to avoid queues elsewhere in the house!

What room adds most value to a house?

6 Room Additions That Add the Most Value to a Home
  1. Kitchen Bump-Out. We've said it before and we'll say it again: A kitchen is the central gathering space in a home. ...
  2. Second Story Addition. ...
  3. Primary Suite Addition. ...
  4. Extra Bedroom Addition. ...
  5. Bathroom Addition. ...
  6. Sunroom Addition.

How to increase home value by $50,000?

Adding $50K in Value to Your Home: Top Strategies for Sellers
  1. Curb Appeal Matters. First impressions count. ...
  2. Upgrade the Kitchen. The kitchen is often the heart of the home. ...
  3. Bathroom Remodel. Bathrooms also hold great value. ...
  4. Energy Efficiency Improvements. ...
  5. Fresh Paint and Flooring. ...
  6. Professional Staging. ...
  7. Proper Pricing Strategy.

How much should I spend on a laundry room?

A mid-level laundry renovation may cost anywhere from $5,000*-$50,000*. On a mid-level budget, you could consider converting part of the garage or adding a laundry room as part of a kitchen or bathroom makeover.

What is a good size for a utility room?

“The smallest size [into which you can fit] a utility room with a sink is around 1.9m by 1.6m,” Alex says. “An ideal area is 3m by 3m, which will allow for tall storage cupboards and appliances, but it is possible to fit one into a much smaller space,” Tom says.

Can you put a fridge in a utility room?

It is usually found adjoining the kitchen, most usefully linking it with the outside, and housing the laundry, overspill kitchen appliances – fridges especially, maybe wine racks a separate sink and elements of a boot room or cloakroom.

Should a utility room have a window?

Ventilation. Ideally, a utility room will have a window to assist ventilation and bring natural light in, but this may not be possible, for example in a garage. Heat and moisture from washing and drying clothes needs to be tackled to prevent dampness and mould.

Is a utility room a good idea?

A utility room is a valuable addition to any home. It provides a space to store and organise household items, keeps your kitchen clear, and adds value to your home. When considering where to put a utility room, think about the layout of your home and your personal preferences.

Do I need planning permission to change my garage into a utility room?

You don't usually need planning permission to convert your garage space into a habitable room. However do check with your local planning authority as listed buildings, detached garages, conservation areas, heritage schemes, rights removal, or making your garage into a separate dwelling will need planning permission.

What is the purpose of a utility room?

While utility rooms typically offer space for ironing boards, vacuum cleaners and washing baskets, they can also host multifunctional storage solutions. So, whether you want to store bags for life, dog leads or small and lesser-used kitchen appliances, these cabinets will make organising your home so much simpler.

What is a utility room vs laundry room?

A utility room generally houses laundry machines, cleaning supplies, and other items for household maintenance. A laundry room has a washing machine, dryer, and sink. Utility rooms are often found in the basement or other out-of-the-way places while laundry rooms are usually found on the main level of the home.

Where would you not want the laundry room in a residence?

A laundry room that is located too far away from living and working areas such as the kitchen is inconvenient and adds even more work to laundry day. Keep the laundry room within a realistic distance of the areas of the house where you work and relax.

Do you need a sink in utility room?

Practical cleaning area for dirty household items: A utility room sink is a practical washing area for cleaning household items such as buckets, irons, flower pots or other household items without dirtying the kitchen sink.

Are utilities cheaper in an apartment or house?

How big your home is and how many people live there: The bigger your home is and the more people who live there, the more the utilities are going to cost. A one bedroom apartment will have lower utility bills than a three-bedroom house, which in turn will be less expensive than a six-bedroom mansion.

How much does one person spend on groceries a month?

The cost of groceries for an average person can vary widely depending on their regional location, shopping habits, age, dietary requirements and biological sex. On average, the cost of food for a single adult male with a moderate USDA food budget is $445 a month, while a single adult female is approximately $385.

Why is my electric bill so high for a one bedroom apartment?

The most likely culprit is your heating and cooling system. The largest usage of electric energy in your home is temperature control, and if you can reduce this, you will save a lot of money on your monthly energy bill. Other appliances, such as the refrigerator and freezer, must continue to function.

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