Whatever you call it – boot room, utility, laundry room – there’s no doubt that they are incredibly useful spaces. From storage for items from coats to sports equipment and pet paraphernalia to laundry equipment and even overflow kitchen appliances, it’s a hardworking space that helps to keep clutter away from the main rooms in your home.
However, with so much asked of them, it’s common for a boot room to itself feel cluttered. Not only does this make it difficult to find things (we’ve all had to frantically search for football boots / a favourite hat / the dog’s lead, just as we’re trying to get out the door), but means you can’t use the space as efficiently as you’d like.
If a worktop is free of clutter, for example, it can become a place to fold clean clothes, while a cupboard that has been divided up with storage boxes will fit more items than one where everything is randomly shoved in.
Interiors expert Orla Neligan has shared her strategy for tackling this hardworking space, and keeping it mess-free.
1. Make use of vertical space with high shelves for rarely used items such as winter hats and gloves in the summertime.
2. A storage bench doubles up as a practical space for getting ready and for storing extra shoes.
3. Keep floors mud and paw-print free by laying down a rug with a heavy thread to withstand footfall, one that can be easily cleaned.
4. Multipurpose hooks are great storage solutions in small spaces for pet accessories and even grab-at-the-last-minute essentials.
Handy tip: Tongue-and-groove wall panelling helps create a relaxed look while protecting the walls from scuffs.
A powerful, versatile vacuum cleaner, the Dyson V8 Absolute is perfect for everything from everyday cleaning to tackling awkward spaces.
Use the Soft Roller Cleanerhead to remove ground-in dirt from carpets and rugs, while the Combination Tool has a clever 2-in-1 design that allows you to quickly switch between a wide nozzle and brush.
It’s also able to get under low furniture thanks to its Low-reach adaptor, and the crevice tool will fit into the smallest gaps. And its long-lasting battery means you can have up to 40 minutes of power, plenty of time to give your room a thorough clean.
To shop Dyson’s full range of vacuum cleaners, visit dyson.ie.
If you’d like to read more on our Dyson decluttering series, visit image.ie/dyson-innovators.