How to design a boot room

If, like most families, your home is cluttered by belongings that are frequently in demand but a pain to store, you could benefit from incorporating a boot room. 

At its simplest, a boot room functions as a practical storage solution that can be created by re-organising a hallway or borrowing a portion of an existing kitchen. Use it for some handy extra coat and shoe storage or, if you are working with a larger space, a boot room could double as a utility area, too. 

How will you use your boot room?

When designing a boot room be clear from the outset what you want to use the space for. Is it a boot room solely for storing shoes and coats? Would you like it to have a sink? Maybe it needs to double up as a utility room? 

Think about those things around your house that don't have a home but could definitely do with one (this is where a boot room comes into it's own). Bikes are the perfect example of this, consider adding some wall mounted racks or out of the way on a pulley system to your boot room design

You could also use the space for indoor gardening, a bit like a potting shed, just add a work bench and repurpose some shed storage. 

Where is the best space for a boot room?

In a typical farmhouse, a boot room is positioned by the back door, so that you can stomp in with muddy boots and change out of wet weather gear without traipsing mud through the house. If you’re embarking on a renovation project, planning an extension or fitting a new kitchen, now’s the time to see whether the ground floor could be reconfigured to include a boot room.

For most homes the front door is the main port of call, and adding a porch might be the answer to avoid dirty trainers and school bags being trailed through the house. Without resorting to building work, an existing utility room can double up as a boot room. 

Choose practical storage

Essentially, three levels of storage are required; shoe storage goes at the base – a bench with cubby holes beneath is ideal – then hanging racks for coats and jackets. Above head height, shelves can take hats or lesser-used items, such as sports gear.

For extra boot room storage, consider a bench with lift-up seat, or baskets. Wellies are best stored on taller shelving or on a rack. Fit peg rails to the wall for coats; a rail at a lower level allows for children’s jackets. Make sure the pegs or hooks protrude far enough to take more than one item. As an alternative, go for an all-in-one hall stand, a multi-functional freestanding piece of furniture with storage and hanging space. Don't forget, too, that it's a room that will see plenty of messy clothes, so it's worth considering laundry room storage ideas, too.

Need help designing your new boot room. Get in touch with the Beautiful Wardrobe Company, to see how we can help.