Well-designed supporting spaces such as pantries, utility rooms and boot rooms are essential to how smoothly a kitchen and home functions day to day. As hardworking spaces, the design of each of these areas should be approached with the same level of design thinking and planning as the main kitchen, with careful attention to layout, storage and flow. Here, Kitchens by Holloways’ design consultant Emily Newmarch discusses how to successfully design each of these spaces.
The Pantry
A pantry doesn’t need to be large to be effective. What matters most is how the interior is planned and organised around the homeowner’s everyday habits and storage needs.
“There’s no fixed ideal size for a pantry – the success comes down to the planning. Even a compact pantry can work beautifully if shelving, drawers and access are carefully considered. Open shelving is often best, as it keeps everything visible and easy to reach.” Commnets Newmarch.
Position is equally important. Pantries should sit close to the main kitchen to support everyday cooking and storage and can be tucked around corners or behind discreet doors to maintain a clean visual flow.
The Utility Room
Utility rooms should be designed around function first, with robust materials and clever space-saving features. Stacking washers and dryers, integrating pull-out shelves and including hidden storage helps keep the room efficient and clutter-free.
Newmarch explains, “When planning a utility room, we always think about lighting, electrics and plumbing early on. These rooms work hard, so task lighting, durable worktops and moisture-resistant finishes are key to long-term performance.”
Depending on its layout and size, a utility room can also function as a secondary prep area or back kitchen, supporting the main cooking space and easing day-to-day workflow. As with every project by Kitchens by Holloways, these adjoining rooms are designed with equal attention to function and flow, ensuring the kitchen and its connected spaces work together seamlessly for maximum practicality and ease of use.
The Boot Room
Boot rooms are increasingly integrated alongside utility areas, especially where there is an external entrance. Built-in cabinetry, bench seating, coat storage and easy-clean flooring all help manage daily wear and tear.
Continues Newmarch: “Boot rooms are about controlling clutter at the threshold of the home. With the right joinery and storage, they create a practical buffer that protects the kitchen and living spaces beyond.”
When planned together, pantry, utility and boot rooms create a highly functional support system for the home, improving flow, organisation and everyday ease and living throughout the kitchen and the home.
Delivering projects that combine superior design values with unique, real-life appeal, Kitchens by Holloways ensures that every kitchen and project is designed and made with each customer’s individual needs and preferences in mind.
