6 Ideas for a Creating a Functional Mudroom
Mudrooms are often overlooked and seen as a mere transitional area into your home, but when they’re designed the right way with the right functionality in mind, they create an inviting and organized entry point to your home. To make designing this space a little easier, here are seven ways to create a functional mudroom.
1. Create a space for each family member Creating individualized spaces for your family is a fun way to keep things organized. Think of adding things like labeled storage bins, individualized cubbies and drawers, and specific boot trays to personalize things for each member of your family.
2. Add built-in storage Storage is the most important aspect of creating a well-functioning mudroom. Lockers and cubbies are the most commonly used storage elements, and besides their organizational aspect, they’re an easy way to store things like coats, hats, and boots, while still keeping the space aesthetically pleasing.
Additionally, cabinets and shelving are two other great options to add more storage space. Adding horizontal shelves that are low to the ground make a great place for shoes, and vertical cabinets with built in hooks make it easy to hang coats and bags.
You can also create space with hollow, built in benches, which make a great space to store extra shoes and boots. Benches also give you and easy place to put on or take off shoes, so you won’t be struggling to take off your boots in the winter.
3. Make sure there are plenty of hooks Hooks are a key part of your mudroom. Whether you’re using them to hang your coat, backpack, or purse you’re going to want to use damage free hooks that won’t create holes in your wall and will be able to hold your heavy belongings. You might also want to consider creating a space with small hooks to hang your keys and other small belongings for easy access.
4. Choose durable, easy to wash flooring Your mudroom is going to get a lot of foot traffic, so choosing a nonporous floor that won’t soak up the mud and dirt from your shoes is key. Here are a few of our recommendations:
a. Ceramic Tile Ceramic tile is durable, easy to clean, and an affordable choice for anyone on a budget.
b. Slate Slate floors are waterproof and stain-resistant, making it a great option for your high-traffic mudroom. Just think, you won’t need to fuss about any water or snow from your shoes when you’re trudging in from outside.
c. Sealed Wood Choosing a hardwood or reclaimed wood floor is another great option for your mudroom floor. Most builders suggest hard woods like oak, chestnut, and maple. Make sure you choose a darker stain for your wood, so as to not show as much wear and tear.
5. Color As with any room in the house, color can brighten up your space and make it more inviting. The mudroom is usually the entry point to your home, so you want to make it have as much personality as the rest of your home. Earth tones add warmth to your space, and bright colors give the room a lively feel. Whichever you choose, make sure to use washable paint, so that you’re able to clean away any unwanted dirt splatters.
6. Add a sink Lastly, if space allows, adding a sink to your mudroom is one sure fire way to cut down on dirt. Besides giving your family a place to wash up before entering your home, it’s also a great idea for any pet owners, to prevent tracking dirt into your house.