Mudroom Layout Ideas to Consider

As we shift into warmer weather, spring rains, and melting snow, we can officially consider the need to add a mudroom! Mudrooms serve a definite function – they allow us to take off layers, store outer garments and kids’ sporting gear, and effectively provide a better way to keep your home tidy. It’s a pit stop before entering the heart of your home, so it should be well-thought-out to contain the mess and preserve your home’s cleanliness — that’s where we come in.

Though it can go by other names, maybe entryways or utility rooms, mudrooms are an excellent area if you have a larger family, pets, or frequent the outdoors. Regardless, when you enter your home through the side or rear area, or even through the garage, the mudroom is a small area you initially walk into where you can take off your dirty shoes, wet coat, or layers so that you don’t track mud, water, or dirt through your home.

Consider these features when planning your mudroom:

1. A place to take off your muddy shoes. In a very basic way, mudrooms are the perfect area to remove dirty shoes, soiled clothes, or wet gear when coming in from outside. Think of kids’ soccer cleats, soaked jackets, or snow boots that need a place to land before entering the home’s interior.  Even if you’re a hiker, biker, or runner, a mudroom is a perfect place to leave your shoes and sports gear, coming in and out of your home.
2. A place to have a seat before you enter the home. If you’ve gotten dirty outside, walking directly into your living room, kitchen or family room is probably a bad idea. If you value a clean home, you can use a mudroom to remove your soiled layers without getting your precious hardwood or carpeted floors dirty. Think of it as the “buffer” zone.
3. A place to store seasonal gear. Depending on the size of the mudroom, you can choose accessories in your plan to hang winter coats and scarves, rain gear, or the occasional outdoor weather clothing. If you happen to have a wide selection of specialized shoes or gear, keep it in the mudroom so you can grab it when you need it.
4. A place to combine your laundry room with extra functionality. Some people have a laundry room that can easily be converted into a combination mudroom/washroom. Imagine being able to peel off dirty layers and toss them into the laundry immediately! Plus, use hooks and baskets for soiled/wet clothing to make cleanup more efficient.
5. A place with bins and cubbies for special accessories. Not only does a mudroom provide you a place to hang your umbrellas, and jackets and stow away rain boots, but your animals can have a place for their leashes, collars, and outdoor apparel too.  Think about stuff that you’d put on right before you step out of your home — coats, scarves, various hats, backpacks, and more! Consider shelving as it can be a way to alternate items like shoes and hard-to-hang items. Shelves can hold storage bins and baskets too which further declutter your space and help you feel more comfortable.

Complete your mudroom with these finishing touches:

• Make clean-up easy by installing floor tiles.
• Add simple, easy-to-access lighting that won’t get messed up with muddy fingerprints or is hard to reach when you’re wet and need to find your way.
• Consider wall colors that will camouflage your “mud”, or spatter from the outdoors. 
• Make storage a priority when it comes to figuring out outdoor gear.

The footprints for mudrooms are many and varied. We can help you plan for the best design that fits your home to make sure you are maximizing your space and creating a smart solution for storage at the same time.  

At The Closet Works, our team of professionals can assess and assist you to find the right solution for your organizational needs. To learn more about organization and how an effective custom storage solution can transform your home, reach out to us for a free in-home design consultation. Qualified personnel with years of industry experience are waiting to help answer any questions you may have.