Your utility room might be one of the most hardworking and necessary rooms in your home but it definitely doesn't have to be the most mundane. Plan your laundry room right and you'll have your home running smoothly in no time at all. Take a look at these fabulous and functional utility and laundry room ideas.

Drying drawers are a neat alternative to clothes horses and a perfect solution for delicate items of clothing as the clothes lay flat and not pulled out of shape. This laundry room has been fitted with bespoke units that house the drawers and wrap around the washing machines for a streamlined finish in the small space. 

Utility rooms needn't be dull and unsophisticated. Rustic cabinetry and basic shelves have been totally transformed by a feature wall painted in gorgeous forest green. White metal storage and pendant lighting looks bright and fresh against the rich colour behind and adds a vintage vibe to the room. 

Crazy about colour? These are the shades to paint your home now.

If the room is a bit of a tight squeeze, investing in a washing machine and tumble dryer stacking kit will free up much-needed floor space. Don't attempt it without one as a heavy machine needs to be fitted firmly and securely in place. Keep other items hanging from a simple peg rail to make room for a stylish commercial-grade laundry and sorting bin. 

A modern utility room decorated with grey notes is calm and reliable. This contemporary design is effortlessly practical and super sophisticated. The large window allows the garden to take centre stage and dominate the interior space; the outlook beyond will make chores seem a breeze. 

A utility room decorated with wooden panels will turn the working space into a cosy and inviting nook. Rustic wooden appliances and metal storage containers add a nostalgic nod to the past. Plus a delightful Roman blind with a stag motif and star ornament gives a charming finish to this quaint laundry room that's both country and cute. 

This bright utility room is a superb example of how simple, well-executed design can make a workaday space look glorious. The rich emerald green unit instantly transforms the plain white room, with neatly stacked washing machines, into a smart room that's a pleasure to spend time in – even if you're folding clothes. Matched with a green and white blind, the bright laundry room becomes up-to-date and refreshing.

As its where most of us undress anyway, it makes sense to share the bathroom with the washing machine especially if there is no room for a separate utility room. Laundry room/bathrooms are commonplace in European countries like Sweden and Norway and we think it's a practical combination we too should adopt. 

Make housework less of a chore by turning your laundry room into a happy place. Let in plenty of natural light with a large window or paint the walls a cheery neutral shade to maximise space. Then introduce bursts of vivid colour and fun artwork that will lighten the load. Why not use this room as a pet food station, so you can have a furry companion while you work?

Love to pamper your pet? Check out these luxury dog houses.

A room that requires so much storage often needs little else to make it work. A series of seagrass storage baskets have become a display in themselves in this basic but well-kept laundry room. The natural material warms the white space but with very little to tell them apart, perhaps attractive name labels would make a welcome addition? A white string-tied tag would work perfectly.

As it's one room in the house where you can experiment in private, why not give a neutral utility room an urban edge with tiles that tell a story? These street art style wall tiles brighten the otherwise humdrum space with a splash colour and cool culture. 

Some people need the motivation to start housework and if that's the case don't be afraid to be a little indulgent with your utility room decor to keep you in the mood. Evoke a sense of glamour with rose penny-round wall tiles with a chalky finish, paired with luxurious gold fixtures and fittings that shimmer. 

Keep pets and your house clean after muddy exercise by installing a dedicated pet grooming parlour in your laundry room. The low-level shower is super-handy for bathing pets as well as other household items, for instance, walking boots and rubbish bins. Open shelving within arm's reach is practical for storing animal shampoos and grooming gear, while hooks mounted below hold cleaning leads and harnesses, too. 

Give your utility room the ultimate country makeover with a muted backdrop and lots of open shelving. Fill the alcoves with charming homewares like vintage jugs and lanterns, polka dot sewing baskets and tie everything together with China and fabric featuring delightful woodland creatures. 

For a fresh and contemporary take on laundry duties, keep decor to a minimum set against an on-trend colour block back-drop. This modern blonde wood airer and shelving system looks ultra cutting-edge paired with just one simple chair for folded clothing and a tall potted plant for extra greenery.

Need ideas? Check out these 12 hardy houseplants and where to put them. 

Whether your utility room is modern or classic, sturdy laundry baskets are a must. Black wire metal makes a great industrial look and is super practical and easy to move on castor wheels. Similar metal furniture and whitewashed brick walls will add to the monochrome vintage vibe. 

Bring the outside in and purify the air with plenty of house plants. Hang them at various levels from the ceiling for a tropical sense of fun. Green pegs and laundry baskets will pick out the vibrant natural hues, too. 

Utility rooms house lots of cleaning products. Emptying powders and liquids into airtight tins not only keep them safe, dry and longer-lasting, but the coordinated containers also look orderly and attractive. A wash tidy by the sink is a must, too.

Good storage will maximise space and put everything at your fingertips. Cabinets that can hold several household items, like tall ones for mops and the ironing board, will make sure everything has its place.

Struggling to find places for everything? Here are the secret storage spaces hiding in your home. 

The secret to easy ironing lies in the ironing board fabric – choose a 100% cotton with a scorch-resistant and heat-retaining coating if possible. Being padded with under-board straps also helps keep it wrinkle-free and snug to the board. 

Need more drying space? Then look up! Classic pulley air-dryers have been used in sculleries and laundry rooms for hundreds of years and are a tried and tested method of clothes drying. Our concern for the environment has given them a revival in recent years as they make good use of warm air trapped in the ceiling space.

Utility rooms can also double as a great boot room keeping hallways clear. Make furniture multi-functional like here: a bench has been given cubby-holes for shoes making a feature of the family footwear.

Turn an old table into a utility station with vintage appeal. A lick of vibrant paint and varnish has created a fabulous feature for chores. Store laundry baskets below and hang tools in a pretty bathroom caddy above.

Need some project inspiration? Here are our favourite upcycling ideas to transform your old stuff.

Fake expensive contemporary floor tiles with practical vinyl. A mix of monochrome patterns creates an exquisitely detailed floor that will transform a plain and narrow galley utility room. Team with a bank of white budget cupboards to keeps the room balanced and bright.

Looking for inspiration? Check out these truly stylish kitchen flooring ideas. 

A fitted bank of cupboards gives a luxurious and bespoke impression especially when painted in a rich and dramatic colour. Glazed counter top cupboards are beautiful for displaying more attractive homewares such as vases and linens as well as the perfect incentive to keep your cupboards well organised.

Just like your kitchen, a utility room uses a lot of water and a tight space with little ventilation can get damp quickly. Tiling walls and floors is an easy wipe clean solution to combat mould. Lighter colours and reflective surfaces give the room a look of freshness.

Feeling inspired? Read our gallery of brilliant ideas for small kitchens.

Incorporate a good amount of work surface to get jobs done. Polished stone is stylish, durable and matches the period characteristics of this classic utility room beautifully.

Why not convert a utility room drawer into a clever pull-out ironing board? You can buy the fittings from hardware stores or many kitchen companies include them as extra accessories. No more battling with the heavy stand-alone version when you're in hurry. 

Use the walls to store and tidy all the bits and bobs that clutter the laundry room. A peg wall or peg rails are great solutions for hanging all sorts of tools and utensils. Create two tiers one for tall items like a clothes dryer and the ironing board and use the lower rail to hang laundry baskets off the floor. 

Hungry for more? Take a look at these white bathrooms that are far from boring.