Design Series - Boot Room

Originally a tucked-away office, this space was one of the first rooms we renovated, not out of priority, but necessity. With four dogs at the time and a house lacking both storage and utility space, we were desperate for a boot room. The boiler, which had been housed in the hallway, had started leaking and stained the fabric-lined walls. That small disaster pushed us into rethinking how this room could serve the house.

The office featured the same paneling as the formal sitting room and entrance hall. A beautifully detailed space, but one that didn’t serve a clear purpose. Hidden behind a door camouflaged in the hallway’s fabric wall, it was more of a forgotten nook than a functional room.

We relocated the boiler here (we have three in total to serve the house!) and set about creating a room that could finally house our muddy boots, wellies, coats, dog beds and all the cleaning essentials.

We worked with a joiner to custom-build the woodwork. We added details like ribbed glass cupboard doors for vases, charming ventilation holes and tongue-and-groove panelling. The Belfast sink, perfect for washing our smallest dog, is paired with DeVol's unlacquered brass taps, which we love more as they patina over time. Above the sink, we added a shelf that holds our collection of treasures and installed hooks beneath to hang baskets and watering cans.

Originally, the cupboards beneath the window were designed to house open dog beds. But as always, storage needs eventually won and we reclaimed that space with shelving.

The room also fits a fridge/freezer, washing machine and dryer.

If we were to do it again, we'd opt for a curtain instead of cupboard doors under the sink and we’d be bolder with the worktop. This room has evolved to meet our needs in both form and function, and we wouldn’t be without it!