Does your home have a mudroom? Usually located at the rear of the house or off the garage, mudrooms are a drop zone for dirty boots, bags, and outerwear. Their goal is simple – to keep mud, moisture, and mess out of your living space.
Mudrooms and entryways can also serve as storage space for a bunch of stuff, ranging from sporting gear to pet supplies. Because of their multi-purpose functions, mudroom designs need to be efficient and versatile.
Keeping a mudroom clean and organized may seem daunting at first, but with a little planning, patience, and the right accessories, your mudroom should be able to handle the clutter hassle-free. Here are seven functional mudroom/entryway organization tips to get you started.
1. It’s All About the Storage
When organizing your mudroom, take stock of available storage options. Do you have enough space to stow more than just the daily essentials?
Mudrooms and entryways often double as hideaways for unused household items, so it’s best if you create more storage than you have the need for right now. Custom-made cabinets are a great way to get the most out of your space. As their name suggests, custom cabinets can be tailored to your particular needs – plus with the right designer and builder (like Holland’s Custom Cabinets), they can be made to look incredible.
We suggest you mix up open and closed storage types for maximum efficiency. Certain items, such as backpacks and coats, are best stored on hooks. Shoes, sports equipment, and gloves are best tucked away in cabinets to keep them out of sight.
2. Be Sure to Add Seating
Seating is vital to an efficient entryway. If you hate the balancing act of wearing or removing shoes standing up, mudroom benches are the way to go. With benches, you (and any messy little ones) have enough room to stretch out and untie muddy shoes. Plus, benches can fit more than one person at a time, meaning no waiting turns to get tidy.
Going a step further, consider getting benches with storage. This way, bench storage can double as a makeshift space for your daily footwear. No more leaving shoes out in the open!
3. Add Plenty of Bins and Hooks
The best mudrooms are much more than glorified closet space. Loose accessories need a home or they will undo all of your organizational efforts. Sturdy hooks are perfect for coats, bags, and backpacks. Just think of the advantages if you or a little one get caught in a downpour. You can simply hang wet coats on hooks to avoid trailing water through your living space.
Bins and baskets can hold gloves, keys, papers, and even skincare essentials such as sunscreen. The goal is to give everything a place for when it’s not in use so items don’t get strewn everywhere.
4. Select Attractive but Durable Finishes
Mudrooms are high-traffic areas. They see tons of action every day, especially in the form of mud, grime, and water. Mudroom finishes—floors, cabinets, and everything in between—need to be tough, easy-to-clean, and dirt-disguising.
Wood panels and tiles are more resistant than wallpaper or paint, while composite countertops and flat-finish flooring can hide dust well. Laminated materials are effective too.
When choosing paint colors and finishes, go with options designed to withstand long-term wear and tear. While it’s easy to fantasize about keeping the space pristine, mudrooms are more likely to house a pair of dirty boots or wet dogs. That’s their jobs. If you don’t want constant cleaning, polishing, and retouching to drive you over the edge, plan accordingly with your choice of finishes.
That said, a practical mudroom does not have to be boring. You can still go with creams and whites and other light colors as long as they’re used in the upper parts of the room to keep them far away from the main action.
5. Plan for Guests and Pets
Although you should design your entryway with live-in family in mind, don’t forget to make room for guests when they visit. Add a few extra hooks and bins for their shoes/bags. If the space allows, install an extra bench for overflow.
An entryway can also serve as a storage hub for furballs. For starters, add hooks for your pet’s leashes and a basket or two for toys. A durable rug can also protect flooring from wet paws.
6. Make Use of Several Spaces
Contrary to popular belief, a mudroom does not have to be confined to a single space. Mudrooms can consist of several hardworking areas with a singular focus – to protect the rest of your living area from messes tracked in from the great outdoors and to help everyone in the house to get out the door in the morning. For example, you might use an adjacent pantry or broom closet for extra storage, or even assign adjacent areas for use by specific family members. These could be modular units, built-ins, or designated shelves and hooks for each person.
7. Invest in Practical Lighting Options
If you’ve ever rifled through a deep drawer in the dark, you know that lighting can make or break a space. Mudrooms need well thought out lighting scenarios to ensure smooth operations. Sure, you can rely on ambient lighting only, but layering in task lights and accents can add a ton of character and functionality to the space.
In general, mudroom lighting depends on:
- The location of the space
- Existing illumination
- Your creative vision.
For example, pendants or flush-mount fixtures complement some entryways, while recessed lighting works for others. And because mudrooms tend to have a lot of hard surfaces, consider lighting that introduces a softer tone. It all depends on what fits your aesthetic and your taste best.
The Bottom Line
Now that we’ve shared some insight on how to organize a mudroom and entryway, we hope you are inspired to get creative. In addition to the seven tips mentioned above, remember to clean and declutter your mudroom at least seasonally. Doing so will help you keep the space and your home in tip top shape, not add to the mess!
Do you need new storage units for your mudroom and entryway? Holland Custom Cabinets can help. We use quality materials and superior craftsmanship to bring dream cabinet designs to life. For more information, get in touch with us today.
