Transforming Your Utility Room to Increase Your Home’s Value

Homeowning is a constant and ever-changing process. Your taste and preference may not have been as set in stone as you once thought and, as time passes, taking on small projects throughout your home can give you a sense of satisfaction. Not to mention, it can increase your home’s value a great deal.

Whether you’re dipping your toe in the renovation process or you’re deep in, having saved some of the smaller spaces for last – you could likely benefit from the ideas of others when it comes to tricky spaces like your utility room.

Yes, the living room, bedroom and kitchen are where you spend most of your time at home – but there’s something to be said for a utility room that actually makes you want to stay in it and fold clothes. With a few simple upgrades, you can turn your utility room into a space you’re proud to show off.

Follow these steps to transform your space and increase your home’s overall value:

Utility Room Layouts

Utility rooms are not meant to be spaces where a ton of time is spent. In fact, it is often true that the smaller a utility room is, the more efficient it proves to be. Keeping detergents and utility items within reach will get you in and out in a heartbeat, leaving you with more time to spend in the parts of your home meant for living and relaxing.

Simple modifications like stacking your appliances to allow for quick transfer from the washer to the dryer. Be sure to leave a little room in front of your appliances to set baskets so transfer from the dryer to the basket can be seamless.

Keeping items specific to the utility room in close proximity and keeping the room open will allow for space for potential buyers to get creative in that space. The more a buyer can picture themselves in a space, and feel they have some freedom and wiggle room to get creative, the more likely they will be to move forward.

Work Surfaces

Space permitting, consider adding a work surface for folding, ironing and treating your clothes. If your appliances are set side by side, the table or counter can be set up above them to conserve space. A table top above will also prevent items from falling between your appliances where they may be difficult to reach. This will also allow you to invest in a table-top ironing board which are much easier to store than one that stands on its own.

A large utility sink can be useful for hand washing heavily soiled clothes before you throw them in the washer, so consider adding a deep sink. Pet owners will also appreciate access to a large sink, so consider adding a faucet with a retractable hose to make Fido’s bath time a breeze.

Utility Room Storage

The more you can place out of sight, the more organized your utility room will appear. Leaving items like detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets scattered on your counter top can quickly take a room from tidy to cluttered. Installing shaker style storage cabinets will allow you to hide these items when they’re not being used, keeping them easily accessible when they’re actually needed.

You can also install open shelving above your counter top for items that are more pleasing to the eye like ceramic jars of detergent pods or neatly folded towels and dish rags.

With your clutter out of the way, you can enjoy the design and feel of the utility room. Depending on the look you’re going for in your utility room, try matching black stainless steel appliances with your cabinets for a bold look.

Dry Hanging Rod

For clothes that don’t go in the dryer, consider putting up a tension rod or other similar bar to hang clothes neatly as they dry. This will keep your bathroom less cluttered as there will be no need to hang it on the shower.

Damage Resistant Flooring

Because your utility room is typically a space where chemicals and water are frequently used, the right flooring is an important ingredient for keeping your utility room looking fresh. Investing in flooring that is durable and reliable is more important than flooring that looks good. Linoleum, vinyl or cork flooring take to moisture better than wood and will require less upkeep than tile.

Adequate Lighting

There’s nothing worse than a utility-focused room with poor lighting. Investing in high-quality overhead lighting (especially if the room lacks in natural light) can transform your space entirely and help it have the bright and fresh feeling a utility room should convey. LED task lighting combined with a ceiling mount fixture will give you options depending on what time of day you’re doing utility.

Getting a High Home ROI

Even if you aren’t planning on selling your home anytime soon, investing in your home now will add value for when you’re ready to sell. Whether your utility room renovation is your intro to home upgrades or the cherry on top of your remodeled home, a remodeled utility room is one of many ways to get a high return on your investment into your home.

Article Written by Haley Kieser