The utility room is not the most glamorous room in the house. In fact, it is one of the least considered when building.

Many people, upon move in, wish they had given it more consideration as they start to live in the home with afterthought ideas of what they could have, would have, should have done.   The washer and dryer have to go somewhere and here in Florida we do not have the luxury of sticking them in a basement. Small garage entry hallways are generally where they end up in most homes these days, which is fine, but doesn’t leave a lot of room to pull clothes out the machines, stack, fold, hang or maneuver with more than one person at a time.   Considering the utility area before you build can be a tremendous help for boosting the livability of your home for years to come.   How much space will you need? – How big are your washer/dryer? Are the stackable or side by side? – counter space, shelving, hanging area, bins, etc.  

Get creative! This is your space.

 Do you have pets or little kids who just love to run around outside and get dirty? How about a half shower wash area?   

Need to iron but don’t want that bulky stand up ironing board looming in a corner always threatening to fall on the next passerby? Try a built in slide out ironing board.  

Love everyone to take their shoes off before walking through the main house living areas, but hate the jumbled mess they create or worried about a possible tripping hazard? No problem, add a low lying coat rack bar and simply hang them near ground level out of the way. This also can help if you have just come in from a rainy day, allowing them to dry more quickly!   

Storage is always important no matter what your family size – single to full house, there needs to be a spot for detergent, fabric softener, an iron, and varied other sundries. Adding built in compartments, shelving and hanging space can give what you need without having to buy and find places for bulky unattractive plastic bins.   Considering all of these needs ahead of time allows them to be worked into the original blueprint, saving time and added expense down the road. If you are ready to build give Harden Custom Homes a call today 239-205-5075 or visit www.hardencustomhomes.com.