Typically thought of as an overflow kitchen, sculleries were common in the past, and are making a resurgence in the home once again. Sounding more like a term used by a pirate, “scullery” may not be a word you’ve heard when it comes to home design, especially since the concept of one is fairly dated. Some older homes may already have one, but more and more designers are incorporating this room into modern design plans because of their functionality. While formerly considered a sign of wealth, having a scullery today isn’t as much of a status symbol as it is an extension of the kitchen and a practical construction decision.
What Exactly Is a Scullery?
A scullery (also referred to as a overflow kitchen) is a small room adjacent to the kitchen, which historically has been used for cooking preparation and clean up. It may also be used for storing kitchenware like plates, bowls, and silverware, plus kitchen gadgets and appliances. It has even been used as a space for other tasks such as laundry and ironing.
Scullery vs. Butler’s Pantry
Sculleries and butler’s pantries serve similar purposes, but there are a few notable differences. A scullery typically serves as a utility space for washing and cleaning kitchen items and is often equipped with a sink. A butler’s pantry is more of a storage and serving area, located between the kitchen and dining room, facilitating the seamless serving of meals.
Scullery vs. Mudroom
While both a scullery and a mudroom are annex rooms and offer storage solutions, the two have a few key differences. A mudroom offers a place to store things like shoes, mail, umbrellas, coats; items that could clutter a formal entryway. In comparison, a scullery is an extension of a kitchen used for cooking and cleaning. Mudrooms, like sculleries, can include a sink, but it is usually used for different purposes, like bathing muddy pets or washing off dirty shoes. Additionally, both mudrooms and sculleries may include laundry appliances and be used for doing laundry.
The two also differ in location: Sculleries are an extension of the main kitchen, while mudrooms are located near the main entry.
Tips for Having a Modern-Day Scullery
If you are thinking of remodeling and adding this useful space, keep these tips in mind for a fully functional, modern scullery:
- Keep It Practical. For a modern scullery, prioritize functionality with a well-equipped, organized space for dishwashing and food preparation. This can mean using the space for cooking to keep your actual kitchen free of mess, especially if you’re entertaining. You can also consider storing your appliances in the space, like blenders, air fryers, and coffee makers, or maybe even having a secondary freezer housed in the scullery for overflow.
- Transform It Into a Home Bar. With the right storage solutions, you can make room for a wine fridge and use existing cabinets to store glasses and flutes. You can also build a liquor cabinet, store gadgets in drawers, and use it for your bar supplies by stashing drink garnishes like olives, herbs, and fruits.
- Incorporate Current Design Trends. Historically, the scullery was only for function, but today, your scullery can be an extension of the design in your main kitchen or have a whole personality of its own. Treat it like any other room in your home: a canvas to add character that is uniquely yours while still incorporating modern design trends that will elevate your space.
Warranties vs General Liability – What’s the Difference?
Basically, a warranty covers workmanship issues while general liability covers damage to property and/or injury to people caused by such workmanship issues. A warranty and a general liability policy actually cancel one another out. This can lead to trouble. For instance:
When your general liability insurer and your warranty company aren’t affiliated, you can find yourself in a litigious situation with both parties pointing their finger at each other. A good example is a home that has a failing beam (maybe it wasn’t spanned properly). The floor is sagging, but the beam hasn’t given way yet; however, it’s obvious that the beam will fail in time. Is this a warranty issue or is it a general liability issue? 
While the beam holds, and no other property has been damaged, and no one has been hurt, any general liability insurer would say this is a problem for the warranty company. Then the homeowner submits a claim for kitchen cabinets that have pulled loose due to stress caused by the sagging beam. They also ask to be reimbursed for hotel expenses they incur because they are afraid to stay in the house. Would a warranty provider cover these things?
At this point, we enter a gray area resulting in endless debates over who is liable. With the RWC Insurance Advantage working with RWC, there are no gray areas; no "is it a liability loss or a warranty claim?" If it is a covered loss, either way, you (the builder) won't get caught in the middle.
So, which makes more sense? Two companies that are better at finger pointing and keeping you in that scary gray area? OR two companies that work together providing you with comprehensive coverage and making that gray go away? If gray isn’t your company’s favorite color, contact us for a quote!
Warranty Benefits from Residential Warranty Company
- RWC offers a wide variety of warranty options: Exclusive Customized State Warranties, 10 Year Insured Warranties, Remodeling Warranties and more!
- RWC is Experienced with 40 years of experience and over 3.7 million homes warranted.
- Every RWC warranty includes an effective – and FREE – mediation process to resolve disputes.
Insurance Benefits of the RWC Insurance Advantage
- Options to meet your specific needs: Builder’s Risk, Contractor’s Equipment, Excess & Umbrella options and more!*
- Flexibility of limits.
- Competitive pricing and low minimum premiums.
The RWC and RIA General Liability programs are both insured by Western Pacific Mutual Insurance Company, a Risk Retention Group, which has been rated “A- (Excellent)” by A.M. Best continuously since 2001.
*Not available in all states
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