The service yard – also know as a service balcony, laundry or utility room – is often an afterthought in home designs, despite how many needs it can serve. Complete with a washing machine, dryer, ironing board and appropriate racks and shelving, your retro service yard can simplify your household chores, store dirty washing, drying clothes and cleaning products, and be a spot to do your ironing and folding. In HDB flats, this is where the rubbish chute is as well. If your service yard or laundry is not working to its full potential, a renovation could be a wise investment. Before you undergo any changes, browse the photos on Houzz for efficient service yard ideas, from layouts and storage to appliances.

How do I add storage to my retro service yard?

A combination of storage solutions is key to running an efficient retro laundry. Include shelving and racks above or beside the washing machine to store washing detergent, softener and other cleaning products; and a laundry basket for dirty clothes. Consider a custom-built cupboard for an ironing board, so it can easily fold out when you need it, or mount the ironing board directly to the wall or on the back of a door. A retractable clothesline is a handy addition to dry delicate clothes, while a clothes hanger mounted to the wall is ideal for hanging freshly pressed shirts.

What else can I use my retro laundry for?

Multipurpose laundry rooms or utility rooms can help save valuable space in your home. Some would locate the water heater tank here. The laundry sink can be used to bathe your dog or cat; your laundry cabinet can store sports equipment, pails and umbrellas; and a spare nook can be filled with a desk and chair to create an office space while you wait for your load to finish. If your service yard is at the front of the house, consider using it as a drop station for mail, mobile phones and keys. Include a bench seat or stool, wall-mounted hooks for bags and a coat stand and it can even be used as a place to get the kids organised before you walk out the front door.



Whether you want inspiration for planning a retro service yard renovation or are building a designer service yard from scratch, Houzz has 133 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including Lume Architecture and Imperfect Interiors. Look through service yard photos in different colours and styles and when you find a retro service yard design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful retro service yard ideas photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.