Beauty and UTILITY...

BE IT A BOOT ROOM OR A DEDICATED LAUNDRY AREA, A COUNTRY HOME CRIES OUT FOR AN OFF-STAGE SPACE TO HOUSE HARDWORKING ELEMENTS. HERE’S HOW TO MAKE YOURS DECORATIVE AS WELL AS PRACTICAL

PRETTY AS A PICTURE

When the boot room is integral to the house, it can be more decorative. American interior designer Brooke Crew took this approach for her client. ‘The room is off her patio and garden so the floral wallpaper felt right, but I wanted it be practical, too, so I balanced the prettiness with cement tiles.’ The existing door was replaced by a Dutch door, painted in high gloss.

LET’S GET PERSONAL

Give each member of the family their own section in a boot room and increase the chances that items will always be found when needed. This scheme by Louise Jones Interiors uses patterned Victorian floor tiles – ideal for this type of room as they mask all manner of mud and outside dirt. If you can’t find a similar sized ceramic butler sink, soapstone is a good alternative. As it’s impermeable, it doesn’t harbour bacteria and can be cut to size.

NEAT AND SLEEK

If the boot room leads directly off the kitchen, create a seamless flow by choosing the same cabinetry, paint colour and flooring tiles. A more contemporary interpretation of a country-house boot room, this design by Sustainable Kitchens uses smooth panels with J-pull handles, paired with pale wood. Maximise space with a bench seat featuring a hinged lid.

TIDY HIDEAWAY

To maintain a sense of calm and order, hive off messier elements behind closed doors. K&H Design came up with this scheme to conceal flower room paraphernalia within a cupboard. If pushed for space, designate a cleaning cupboard below a sink with places to store boots beneath. Close the double doors, and the room returns to a serene state. To keep spaces such as this box-fresh, paint skirting boards and furniture with washable paint, such as the Intelligent range from Little Greene – it will prevent scuff marks from muddy paws or kicking off wellies.