The utility room had been quietly deteriorating since we moved in. The wall behind the boiler had never been fully plastered, which had caused dampness and mould at the base — not the kind of thing you want near a boiler. The storage units were past saving.

I brought in a plasterer and an electrician to tackle the structural and safety issues first — that is one lesson I had learned early on: know when a professional is the right call. Once the wall was properly finished and the electrics were safe, I took over: designing the new layout, installing the units, fitting the sink and worktop, and finishing the space off.

The utility room now does what a utility room should — it works hard by helping us get organised as a family.