Utility room or bigger kitchen: Which one is right for you?

When planning a new kitchen – or rethinking your entire ground floor layout – it can be easy to get swept up in the dream: a showstopping kitchen island, open-plan dining, maybe even a walk-in pantry. But there’s one behind-the-scenes detail that often sparks debate – the utility room.

Do you carve out a separate zone for laundry, cleaning and everyday chaos? Or do you pour everything into a larger, more sociable kitchen? According to Tom Howley, creative design director at Tom Howley Kitchens, the answer always comes down to how you intend to live: “Some people want their kitchen to be the heart of the home, a space that feels open and sociable – in which case, making the kitchen larger may be the priority. But for those who like a clear separation between cooking and more functional tasks, a well-planned utility room can be invaluable.”