Utility room flooring ideas – including vinyl, water-resistant laminate and more

Just like a kitchen, utility rooms are highly practical spaces where every design feature has to balance both fashion and functionality. So, your utility room flooring ideas matter. With significant footfall, the potential of spillages and proximity to mud, a flooring choice must be easy to clean and hardwearing. 

But you'll also want your utility room ideas to be stylish. Whether you're designing a brand new utility room for your home or simply refreshing an existing space, it should be an extension of your home in terms of aesthetic. Plus, having something pretty to stare at makes laundry day that little bit more enjoyable. 

'No longer merely a functional afterthought or a hideaway space from the main kitchen, utility rooms are increasingly becoming interior design focuses within themselves. Helping to tie a whole scheme together, flooring is a key consideration when designing a stylish, successful utility room,' adds Jason Cherrington, director at Lapicida.  

So with so many flooring options to choose from, from vinyl and laminate to tiles, this utility room flooring inspiration will help you pick a fashionable and practical material.

Utility room flooring ideas

1. Pick porcelain

Function comes first in a utility room, so it's essential to choose flooring that will stand up to the perils of daily life. 

'Porcelain tiles are an excellent choice for a utility room; easy to keep clean and available in a huge range of colours, patterns and sizes, they’re both a stylish and practical choice whether you’re using your utility room for laundry, washing the dog or storing muddy wellies,' advises Takwirira Rinomhota, curator at Boutique Stone.

The joy of porcelain tiles is that they come in so many different styles, so whether you're looking to add to a traditional aesthetic or a modern utility room, there's something for everyone. 

2. Choose checkerboard

An easy way to have fun with utility room flooring while sticking to a versatile design is by opting for checkerboard tiles. Black and white tiles look effortlessly chic in kitchens, so you can use them to continue into a utility or feature them specifically in this space to help zone it. 

The pop of white opens up the flooring which is great for small utility room ideas where you want to maximise the amount of light, whereas the black tiles will disguise any dirt. 

3. Hone style with herringbone

Herringbone has been a relatively recent interior trend making a statement, and it shows no signs of slowing down. With more kitchens and utility rooms taking inspiration from vintage aesthetics, it's only natural that flooring would follow suit.   

It's a great way to make a utility room feel on-trend, without busying the practical area with decorative accessories. You can also choose to make the most of the look in a durable material like laminate too, so you don't have to compromise on functionality. 

4. Pick parquet

If you live in a period property and you've miraculously found parquet hidden away underneath carpet or tiles then you're in luck. Parquet is a durable floor choice that makes it a great choice for kitchens and utility rooms, especially when treated properly. 

You can also buy reclaimed parquet if you like the look but it doesn't already exist in your home. Wood flooring is a splurge and will require proper maintenance, but the effect is simply stunning. 

5. Make a style statement with pattern

We've pointed out that practical can be pretty too, as this vinyl flooring perfectly demonstrates. The striking pattern features a trellis-like design of black stars, white stripes and blue squares to form a geometric finish. 

The tiled effect means you can achieve the look of ceramic tiles, but it won't feel chilly underfoot while you carry out your daily chores. A patterned vinyl is a great way to nail the style with ease while providing extra durability. 

6. Welcome warmth with wood

Lay a wood-effect vinyl as a suitable solution when it comes to adding the feel of classic wood warmth. 'Traditional laminate must be kept dry, which makes it tricky to care for in an area where spills, stains and mud are inevitable,' explains Inga at Lifestyle Floors. 'However, there are several water-resistant laminates available now, including our Love Aqua range, which is even suitable for bathrooms. This makes them a perfect choice for your utility room if you are looking for a beautiful wood-effect floor.'

7. Create a classic country scene with stone

For creating that traditional scullery vibe go for a a timeless flagstone floor tile. Favoured for hundreds of years stone flooring is undisputedly one of the chicest original styles around. If you don't have underfloor heating just be mindful that it can feel cold underfoot – you can counteract that by laying natural woven rugs, to finish the look perfectly.

To give your country-style utility room a contemporary edge, paint the walls black, to add a striking contrast to the light flooring and pale cabinetry.

8. Keep it simple

Keep things simple. A hardy vinyl in light grey adds enough of an on-trend colour yet still feels like a blank canvas to prevent the room from feeling too cluttered. Simple and light flooring is an ideal small utility room idea because pale coloured flooring helps brighten up small spaces, creating an illusion of space by keeping the look airy.

9. Add signature style

While utility rooms are functional, they don’t need to be boring. Even when the room is all-white, which feels clean and simple, use the floor to add a touch of style.

'With such a variety of flooring choices, there’s now a wealth of finishes and materials that can be used to add a signature floor' say the experts at Leoline. 'Vinyl and laminate floors can now replicate the look of poured concretes, stone, tile and wood and come in a variety of painted and colour choices.'

10. Choose slip resistance for safety

Choose a flooring that offers durability and practical purpose for a utility room – as this is where you are most likely to be coming and going a lot, potentially laden down with armfuls of laundry or baskets etc. A non-slip design will help to add a level of assurance as you frantically go about your household tasks.

Durability is ultimately key to ensure the flooring stands up to the strains of busy home life. Look for floors that offer a wear protective layer, water-proofing and slip resistance design credentials. If unsure, order samples to test at home before you commit.

11. Ensure easy maintenance

'Sounds obvious, but choosing a floor that doesn’t collect mud and dirt is an easy way to keep your utility space clean,' says a spokesperson for Quick-Step. 'This is especially important if your utility room is an entrance spot from your garden. Floors such as vinyls and laminates with secure fit systems are a great choice as it eliminates accumulation of dirt between tile and board joints.'

A non-fussy floor provides an easy to clean solution, which is a must for a busy traffic area.

12. Weatherproof your chosen surface

Whether you use your utility as a kitchen over-spill, a laundry or a boot room the space will be prone to spills and splashes, so water resistance should be considered when selecting flooring. 'If you’re choosing a laminate, make sure it’s a water resistant specification,' advise the experts at Quick-Step.

'Laminate floors are not all water-resistant, so careful selection avoids water or splashes soaking between planks and causing warping. For vinyl floors, water is easily tackled by wiping up spills. Hint: Whatever the floor, avoid leaving spills to sit for prolonged periods as this will help prevent staining or warping.