ᐅ Is the utility room sufficient to serve as a storage room as well?
Created on: 7 Feb 2018 11:42
P
Peter L
Hello everyone,
we are currently planning our house build (without a basement) and have already looked at many floor plans. We are often surprised that the floor plans, especially from prefab home providers, do not include a storage room. We assume the utility room is meant to serve this purpose, but that space already contains the heating system / air source heat pump, photovoltaic system battery, electrical panel, washing machine / dryer. Houses with basements also have a boiler room and a storage room.
When I think about what we keep in our storage room, it seems the utility room would be very crowded. Besides beverages (water + juices about 6 crates, wine, spirits), food supplies, vacuum cleaner, spare gas cylinder for the grill, recycling paper, recycled glass, laundry detergents, hand tools, ironing board, bucket, etc. Not everything will fit in the utility room. If we add a freezer chest, it will get even tighter.
Therefore, we are planning an additional storage room for food and such, so these items can be stored cool and dry. We assume the utility room will not be cool because of the heating system. Of course, this takes up valuable living space, and we are wondering if we might be overlooking something. That’s why we wanted to ask everyone’s opinion on this.
Cheers
we are currently planning our house build (without a basement) and have already looked at many floor plans. We are often surprised that the floor plans, especially from prefab home providers, do not include a storage room. We assume the utility room is meant to serve this purpose, but that space already contains the heating system / air source heat pump, photovoltaic system battery, electrical panel, washing machine / dryer. Houses with basements also have a boiler room and a storage room.
When I think about what we keep in our storage room, it seems the utility room would be very crowded. Besides beverages (water + juices about 6 crates, wine, spirits), food supplies, vacuum cleaner, spare gas cylinder for the grill, recycling paper, recycled glass, laundry detergents, hand tools, ironing board, bucket, etc. Not everything will fit in the utility room. If we add a freezer chest, it will get even tighter.
Therefore, we are planning an additional storage room for food and such, so these items can be stored cool and dry. We assume the utility room will not be cool because of the heating system. Of course, this takes up valuable living space, and we are wondering if we might be overlooking something. That’s why we wanted to ask everyone’s opinion on this.
Cheers
MIA_SAN_MIA__ schrieb:
Do you have hobbies that require a lot of storage space or have bags that smell? You could put it that way!!
We have our utility room on the ground floor, where there is also space for a shelf for the “smelly hobby bags” and the matching shoes.
There is also space under the stairs and a large double garage with storage options.
Upstairs we have a laundry room for the washing machine and dryer, plus a place to hang clothes.
But the ground floor room that also contains the house connections and heat pump would never be enough for us!
A closed cloakroom under the stairs, giving the utility room a bit more space (-> leaving a wall free for a built-in closet or kitchenette), a large cupboard in the office, a second utility room on the upper floor, storage rooms on the ground and/or upper floor. Later, a garden shed, a storage room next to the garage, a fixed staircase to the attic... yes, you really have to consider all of this during planning.
As @stefanc84 says: large living rooms sell better than storage rooms.
We once had a floor plan discussion where a lady refused to give up her 3 square meter (about 32 square feet) freezer room so she could have a 45 square meter (about 484 square feet) living room of her own. She wanted to hang laundry to dry in the freezer room… the discussion was very amusing [emoji6].
As @stefanc84 says: large living rooms sell better than storage rooms.
We once had a floor plan discussion where a lady refused to give up her 3 square meter (about 32 square feet) freezer room so she could have a 45 square meter (about 484 square feet) living room of her own. She wanted to hang laundry to dry in the freezer room… the discussion was very amusing [emoji6].
Thank you for all the feedback.
Yes, we also want to use the attic, but it will be a rather shallow gable or hip roof (planning with a 25° slope). Due to the low pitch and two full floors, there isn’t much space, but it should be enough. This area will mainly be used for items that are rarely needed, such as Christmas decorations. Ideally, I would also like to store the roof box up there, but with the small staircase, that is probably the limit, as it is not very heavy.
There might be a small room on the upper floor for the vacuum cleaner and similar items. We are especially considering food storage and wondering if the utility room might get too warm for this purpose. How warm does a utility room typically get when it houses a heat pump, ventilation system, and a battery (but no washing machine or dryer)?
Using the staircase for storage is also an option, but more as a small extra storage space and for unruly children... and before the wave of objections starts, it’s a reference to Harry Potter.
Yes, we also want to use the attic, but it will be a rather shallow gable or hip roof (planning with a 25° slope). Due to the low pitch and two full floors, there isn’t much space, but it should be enough. This area will mainly be used for items that are rarely needed, such as Christmas decorations. Ideally, I would also like to store the roof box up there, but with the small staircase, that is probably the limit, as it is not very heavy.
There might be a small room on the upper floor for the vacuum cleaner and similar items. We are especially considering food storage and wondering if the utility room might get too warm for this purpose. How warm does a utility room typically get when it houses a heat pump, ventilation system, and a battery (but no washing machine or dryer)?
Using the staircase for storage is also an option, but more as a small extra storage space and for unruly children... and before the wave of objections starts, it’s a reference to Harry Potter.
Wickie schrieb:
On the ground floor, we have our utility room, which will also include shelving space for the "smelly hobby bags" and matching shoes.
There is also space under the stairs and a large double garage with storage options.
On the upper floor, we have a laundry room for the washing machine and dryer, plus space to hang clothes. Additionally, a walk-in closet (or dressing room, however you want to call it) with about 7 meters (23 feet) of wardrobe space just came to mind! I had forgotten to mention it earlier!
apokolok schrieb:
P.S. Gas cylinders should not be stored in enclosed rooms. That’s correct. But what about rooms that have ventilation or where a window is always slightly open?
ypg schrieb:
She wanted to hang the laundry there to dry... the discussion was quite amusing [emoji6] OMG
ypg schrieb:
fixed staircase to the attic We were considering that too but haven’t discussed it in detail yet. What about insulation in that case? Is there still a hatch, or is it fully open? What are the costs?
Do you have any photos of your version?
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