The utility room in your home is one you may have overlooked. It was indeed quite an afterthought throughout history in most places Today’s utility room is becoming a very popular home renovation project.
Your utility room needs love too.
When you think of a makeover project — of any sort — you think rags to riches. You think before-and-after shots. The key to a successful renovation is the amount of impact the work makes. Any good home renovation should leave the space in a more aesthetically-pleasing condition than it was originally.
If your plan was to renovate one room in your home at a time, you may not have even had your utility room on that list. There are a few compelling reasons why you might consider adding it.
- The renovation cost will be less when compared to most other rooms.
- A few simple changes can have a very profound impact on your life.
- It’s called a utility room, not only because your utilities like heat, water, and electricity are controlled there. It should also be a space you can easily utilize for your needs. If it’s cluttered, messy and uncomfortable, it’s not exactly living up to its namesake, is it?
But how can you really improve a utility room?
The amount of impact you can make in your utility room is incredible. One of the biggest complaints or problems with many utility rooms is their being generally unfinished. They may be dark or drafty, and they’re usually very difficult to keep clean. Dust easily gets behind and underneath your washer and dryer, and this makes regular cleaning difficult at best.
Start by actually finishing your utility room if it isn’t already. This home renovation task usually involves framing out the room with drywall, properly finished, waterproofed and sealed, and then painted. More than simply being a huge visual improvement over exposed cinderblock, it actually will help with overall energy efficiency. This will also help keep the noise your appliances make in the room rather than letting it reverberate throughout your entire house.
Once you got a finished and sealed room, start thinking about functionality and form simultaneously. Look for unused space that might be a good home for a clothes drying bar, or line. Maximize the utility of the space with efficient cabinets, drawers and countertop space.
From there, bring your personality to the space. Try salvaging some antique furniture from your local second-hand stores, and paint pieces in contrasting color schemes. After all, your utility room is a space mostly only your family members will occupy, so it doesn’t need to be as formal as other spaces in your home.
Simple changes go a long way.
Each space is unique. Your utility room may not need very much help. A simple coat of paint, some deep cleaning, a new light fixture, and some baseboard trim can make a huge impact. That whole project in most homes would only cost $500-800 depending on the overall quality of materials and whether or not you hire a general contractor or make it a DIY experience.
Maybe you’ve been looking for a project, and now you can make your utility room your “cherry on top” home renovation project. Or, perhaps you want a DIY project, and you’re not quite ready to take on a kitchen or bathroom. In many cases, the utility room makes a great project idea and can have a massive impact on your home at relatively minimal cost.
For total newbies, consult with a professional contractor like Alair Homes Camrose if your home renovation plan involves anything massively outside your ability, like plumbing or electrical work. If you’re unsure of the scope of your project, contact us. We’ll be glad to sit down with you, talk and help you work through your utility room renovation plans.