A well-designed, bespoke boot room is much more than a place to hide away those coats and muddy boots: it creates a link between your home and the great outdoors, and acts as an extension of your home’s interior design.
Whether you enjoy long walks in the countryside, outdoor sports or just a spot of home gardening, here's how to create a boot room that’s practical, stylish – and just right for your way of life…
What is a boot room?
A boot room is a practical space that normally adjoins a kitchen or utility room, and is designed to store shoes, coats and other outdoor clutter neatly away, without impacting on the rest of your home.
As well as being somewhere to stash your things when you come in from outdoors, a boot room often doubles up as a kit room, a dog feeding/grooming station or a laundry facility. It also makes for useful additional storage for larger or less frequently used household items.
At Naked Kitchens we build bespoke kitchens tailored for the way you live – so custom-made boot rooms are a natural extension of that. Many of our customers ask us to design a boot room or utility room at the same time as the kitchen.
What should be included in a boot room?
The traditional boot room has evolved over the years, and nowadays a boot room can include pretty much anything you want it to – but as a general guide, a boot room normally features some or all of the following:
- Plenty of bespoke storage – a range of made to measure storage options will keep things neat, organised and easily accessible, while making the most of the space.
- A bench or storage seat – offering somewhere to sit while you don your coat and boots, while also providing storage space underneath for footwear or garden games.
- A sink with a hose tap – a large sink with a pull-out hose tap is ideal for rinsing muddy boots, paws and sports gear.
- A radiator or heater – for drying out wet coats and clothing.
- Hard-wearing flooring – quality wooden or tiled flooring and a robust heavy-weave rug will withstand daily use.
How can I create a boot room that works for me?
When planning your boot room, it’s important to ensure that there’s a dedicated space for everything, and that you make every inch of the space count. Think about your daily routine and how you use the space. As a starting point, it makes sense to have somewhere to put coats and shoes within easy reach of the outside door, to make them accessible and keep those muddy footprints to a minimum.
Whatever your hobbies, everything should be accounted for, and items that you use regularly should be easily accessible – from cycling equipment to fishing tackle, golfing equipment to horse riding gear. With a range of bespoke, made to measure storage solutions, you can create a boot room that looks fabulous and accommodates everything you need.
What kind of storage do you need in a boot room?
Boot rooms come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but whatever type of boot room you have, it’s important to make the space work for you, and having plenty of storage is essential. The right storage will ensure that everything is tidy, well organised and easy to find, and it can also make a beautiful style statement. The key is to include a range of different types of storage:
- Overhead storage – overhead cupboards and high level shelving are ideal for storing less frequently used items neatly out of the way.
- Tall cupboards – good for storing winter coats, hats, umbrellas and larger household items such as mops, brooms and ironing boards.
- Open storage – a row of wall–hung coat pegs, open shelving and cubby holes will keep things well organised, while providing easy access.
- Hidden storage – a range of enclosed cupboards with hidden shelving, rails and drawers will keep things neat and tidy and out of sight, creating a clean, streamlined look.
- Floor to ceiling storage – in a room with high ceilings, floor to ceiling storage makes full use of the vertical space and creates a good flow.
- Low level storage – under-bench boot racks or floor level cubby holes are ideal for stashing boots, dog toys and other smaller items.
Three ways to style up a boot room
The traditional boot room has evolved in recent years, and today many people treat their boot room as an extension of their kitchen. Although a boot room has a practical purpose, you can make your boot room into a stylish and homely hub. Here are some ideas and inspiration for creating the perfect boot room…
1) Include a comfy seating area
A seating area is a great addition to any boot room, allowing you to sit down while removing your shoes, heaving off the kids’ wellies, or taking a moment to rest after a lovely walk – and it also makes your space look warm and inviting. Some built-in bench seating with additional storage underneath will really make the most of the space, and a padded cushion will make it extra comfortable. You can even incorporate a built-in pet bed, complete with storage for leads, toys and treats.
2) Match – or contrast – with your kitchen to make a visual statement
When choosing a design for a boot room, some people choose to mirror the design of their kitchen cabinets. This can be a cost effective option, and creates a natural flow between the two spaces. However, you may choose to go for something completely different. For a stylish contemporary look, consider featuring deep blues, cool greys and forest greens, or to make a big statement consider a colourful feature wall in a rich red or green.
3) Add interest with different materials and textures
You can introduce texture and interest to a boot room by using a range of different materials. Painted wooden panelling adds a lovely homely feel, and you can add in soft furnishings and accessories in the form of cushions, curtains and thick, colourful rugs. Wicker baskets will add a rustic feel, and you can complete the look with a mirror or some artwork, and a houseplant or two.
See some examples of our beautiful bespoke boot rooms.
At Naked Kitchens, we can create the ultimate boot room, which is tailored precisely to your space and your lifestyle. Whether you need somewhere to store your jodhpurs and riding crop, or a grooming parlour for your pooch, get started on creating your dream boot room.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a boot room used for?
As well as literally storing boots, a boot room can be used to accommodate all sorts of other things, from outdoor gear to household appliances. Whether you enjoy dog walking, fishing, mountain biking or gardening, with some careful planning and the right storage you can create a space that works for you and your unique lifestyle.
What if I don’t have a dedicated boot room?
Whether you have a porch, a hallway, or a little niche within a larger open plan space, even if you don’t have a separate boot room you can still create a dedicated space for comfortably taking off and storing everyday items such as coats and shoes, without cluttering up the main area of your home.
Can a boot room be stylish as well as practical?
Absolutely – whether you choose to mirror your existing kitchen design, or try an entirely new theme, you can create a boot room that’s stylish and beautiful as well as practical.
See also:
Clever bespoke kitchen storage solutions - 11 ingenious ideas to inspire you
Kitchen Ergonomics - Make your kitchen more efficient
