Utility cupboards

Featured image

Utility cupboards are a prime candidate for bespoke cabinetry:

  • a utility often has many pipes to work around

  • the pipes and services in a utility look a mess

  • storage for cleaning products is essential in a utility

At start of installation the right side panel is cut to allow for the sub stack and pipes

At start of installation the right side panel is cut to allow for the sub stack and pipes

Left side panel cut for pipe access

Left side panel cut for pipe access

Utility cupboard complete and fitted flush to the wall

Utility cupboard complete and fitted flush to the wall

Tips for designing utility cupboards

  • For floor standing cupboards select ‘kitchen style legs’ and the standard for kitchen/utilties is 150mm. This raises the bottom of the cabinets so you can avoid pipework up to 150mm from floor level

  • It is always good to have a solid back on a cabinet to keep it rigid but this may not be possible when there are many pipes. In this case select the ‘back rails’ option in the Cabinet Designer and then we will manufacture 100mm rails for the top and bottom instead of a full back. These rails can be placed at install time to avoid pipes on the back wall.

  • Similarly the cabinet top can use two top rails (Cabinet Designer replace top with rails option). The rearmost rail can be offset away from the wall as shown in the photo below.

  • The Golden rule is to ensure that the cabinet has distinct top,bottom and side panels. i.e. don’t try to replace one side with a wall. In the cabinet below the left side is 200mm deep to work around the pipes whereas the right side is the conventional depth of 550mm. Having these four panels connected together will ensure the hinge plates are in the correct position and the doors (or drawers) will operate correctly and you will enjoy the benefits of precision manufacture.

Utility cupboard under boiler installation

Utility cupboard under boiler installation

Utility cupboard under boiler complete

Utility cupboard under boiler complete

---