If you’re looking to declutter and organize your home, creating a functional mudroom might be a good place to start. A well-designed mudroom can help you create a tidier, more organized living space while enjoying happier, more relaxed everyday living.
Why remodel your mudroom?
While an updated mudroom adds value to your home, the everyday convenience and stress-reducing functionalities sell most homeowners on a mudroom renovation.
If you’ve ever been in a rush for work or a date and have had a hard time finding everything you need before you walk out the door, then you get it: The value of an efficient, well-designed mudroom is that it provides an organized space for managing the essentials that make your life easier, saving you time and frustration, while keeping your home clutter-free.
How to approach your mudroom remodel
Before you dive into demo, understand the basics first. Then, to get the most out of your investment—grand or modest. Your remodeled mudroom space should ideally address these common challenges:
- A messy or cluttered living space. More than half of Americans say they feel overwhelmed with clutter filling their homes and not knowing what to do with it or how to fix it. (OneDesk) A mudroom should provide organizational solutions that suit your needs and lifestyle, whether you’re an active family of five or an empty nester with two dogs.
- More storage for seasonal items. If you live in a climate where you enjoy the change of seasons as we do in Ohio, you have a lot of gear to manage. Therefore, providing storage and easy access to coats, boots, hats, umbrellas and more is essential.
- Solutions for keeping the rest of the house clean. Even small mudrooms can deliver big on helping create a clean home. Make space in your mudroom to kick off shoes with a rug to help keep dirt at the door and the rest of your home tidy.
How to make a functional mudroom
We all need an area in our homes to manage the gear and accessories that we use day in and day out. That’s where the well-designed mudroom shines: The space in your home provides functional solutions that make everyday living easier. Depending on the size of your room and your needs, here’s what your mudroom should include:
- Storage. Stow away gear, apparel, accessories, extra household items or seasonal décor that needs a place out of sight. Today’s mudrooms typically feature ample storage options to keep outdoor gear, such as coats, jackets, hats, scarves, gloves, boots and sports equipment organized.
- Organization. The mudroom should be designed to keep belongings organized and easily accessible. You may provide each family member with their designated space or storage unit within the mudroom, making finding and storing items quick and convenient.
- A seamless transition. Whether entering your mudroom from the garage, porch, patio or other doorway, this space provides a natural transition between the outdoors and inside your home. Because it is a pass-through space, more homeowners are styling mudrooms to complement the overall vibe of their homes, with attention to materials, colors and organization systems that create an inviting and cohesive space.
- Pet space. If you’ve got pets, you know they require lots of stuff for regular care. On-trend are mudroom designs that accommodate pets with dedicated areas for food and water bowls, storage for pet supplies, pet beds and kennels or even a designated pet bathing area.
A mudroom that functions well can simplify your daily routine and help keep the rest of the house clean and organized. Beyond basic organization, you can use your mudroom as a drop-off zone for items that need to be taken on the go or a place to store items that are frequently used but not necessarily needed in your main living areas. These solutions curb clutter and eliminate headaches caused by misplaced items.
Mudroom storage solutions for coats, shoes and other outdoor clothing
For convenient, sensible storage for coats, shoes and other outdoor clothing, use these popular mudroom solutions:
- Bench. Use a built-in bench with storage underneath to corral gloves, hats, scarves and more. Then, pop a cushion on top of the bench for a comfy place to sit for pulling on boots, tying shoelaces, etc.
- Closet. A closet can provide hanging space as well as shelves for additional storage. Bonus: A boot tray on the closet floor makes it a breeze to stow shoes and boots out of sight.
- Cubbies. Box-style cubbies are easy for kids, providing a dedicated space to stash and organize essentials. Use bins and baskets to hide contents for a clean look.
- Hooks. From coats and backpacks to purses and hats, hooks are a convenient and flexible way to organize gear in your mudroom.
To squeeze every ounce of functionality out of your mudroom, consider incorporating hideaway storage for out-of-season items (i.e., winter coats during the summer). Benches and upper cabinets are convenient hideaway solutions. In addition, personalized spaces for each family member (think cubbies or lockers) can help keep everyone more organized while giving kids a sense of pride in managing their own space.
Create a drop zone in your mudroom
If you routinely enter your home through your mudroom, you’ve likely got stuff to unload when you walk through the door—keys, purse, mail, groceries, etc. Consider these practical drop-zone solutions to make your mudroom more user-friendly:
- A designated area for daily necessities like keys, pet leashes, sunglasses, etc.
- A counter or landing space to drop and sort mail with charging stations for tech.
- Space to hang a family calendar or chalkboard to manage schedules and events and jot down reminders, lists, etc.
- Built-in or wall-mounted organizers with bins and hooks for miscellaneous items.
Materials for building a mudroom
Mudrooms get dirty – it’s inevitable! So, design your mudroom with easy cleaning in mind. Follow common-sense guidelines to choose the materials that will hold up to wet and dirty (abrasive) conditions and everyday wear and tear.
Choose durable, non-porous materials for flooring and countertops.
Flooring: Porcelain or ceramic tiles that mimic the look of natural materials like wood or stone are popular. Additionally, luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring is gaining popularity due to its durability, water resistance and wide variety of design options. (Note: Hardwood flooring is soft and porous and is not ideal for a mudroom due to inherent exposure to moisture, abrasive dirt, etc.)
Countertops: Granite, quartz or laminate are excellent for mudroom surfaces due to their high durability and low maintenance properties. These products are offered in an array of colors, textures and designs to complement your home’s aesthetic.
Trending in mudroom design
No longer an afterthought, today’s mudrooms are essential to busy family life. So, with that attention, these spaces have become a seamless extension of home design. Here are some of the mudroom trends we love:
Sustainable Storage
A leading trend in storage and organization is sustainability. More homeowners are looking for ways to ditch plastic bins for containers made from alternative, eco-friendly materials. Better Homes & Gardens suggests, “Rather than buying plastic that contributes to landfills, look for alternative containers made from materials such as hyacinth, rattan and jute to organize items. Plus, glass jars with bamboo lids, baskets made with natural materials and organizing bins made from recycled plastic.”
Open Shelving
From kitchens to family rooms, open shelving is still on trend. And it’s also right at home in the mudroom: Open shelves or floating shelves are practical and visually appealing in mudrooms. They allow easy access to frequently used items like hats, scarves and gloves while displaying decorative accents or plants. Add baskets or bins to the shelves to contain smaller items while maintaining a neat appearance.
Stylish Lighting
Choosing stylish and functional lighting fixtures is essential for mudrooms. Pendant lights or flush-mount fixtures can provide adequate light while adding a touch of style and personality to your space.
Integrated Technology
Incorporating technology into mudrooms is becoming more common. Innovative home features like keyless entry systems, motion-sensor lighting or charging stations for mobile devices can add convenience and efficiency to your mudroom space.
Pet space in the mudroom
Having designated space in your mudroom to manage your pets—such as storage for supplies and a place to clean them off after walks or playtime outside—is the ultimate life hack for pet owners. Purpose-designing a space in your mudroom for everyday pet management helps you stay organized and minimizes clutter and messes throughout your home. Here are some pet solutions you might consider for your mudroom:
- Built-in pet washing stations
- Feeding areas/stations
- Kennels, cages and pet beds
- Litter boxes
- Storage for pet food and supplies
A final thought about mudrooms
A well-designed mudroom is an essential home living, organizing and storage space that combines functionality and style. Whether a small nook or a spacious room, your mudroom can help you streamline your daily routines and make your life easier.
If you’re in Northeast Ohio, we can make your mudroom vision a reality. Consult with Dover’s team of designers and home remodeling experts about your custom mudroom project. We’re here to help!
The best is yet to come.
Beth Orr
