We all have a place where the “stuff” gets dropped when you walk into the house. Shoes, book bags, mail, and even the dog’s leash. Maybe it’s next to the front door or on the kitchen island, but after a while it may start to feel cluttered. So, how can you stay organized and stay tidy? Mudroom storage is key!
What is a Mudroom?
So, what is a mudroom? It’s lots of things to many people and everything to some. Not only is it a super utility driven addition to any home, it is an opportunity for fun and creativity. You have a unique, multi-purpose space to act as a drop zone for school stuff, sports gear, and your plethora of keys. This hardworking room also prevents muddy shoes from tracking dirt into the house proper. We love designing mudrooms for our clients because we know it brings so much peace to their home! From mudroom lockers to pull out drawers, mudroom storage can be fun! Isn’t it wonderful when practicality and style come together?
Mudroom Storage
As you can see in this Laura U designed beauty above, there are several elements to any mudroom. First, you have your area for shoes. It is a “mud” room after all! Most mudrooms we design have a designated spot for shoes as well as hooks or a rack for anything from rain coats and backpacks to football pads and umbrellas. We added personalization for each family member. Paired with the families favorite colors and love of Rice University, this mudroom is super playful.
Mudroom Lockers
The second key component to mudrooms is ample mudroom storage, usually taking the form of “locker” space. This room, another Laura U original, features individual locker space. There are tons of useful storage not only in the lockers, but in the cabinetry above. The cute linen-lined baskets atop the shelving are the perfect spot to drop loose items. Lockers can work wonders at school and at home to hold books, gym clothes, uniforms, and more. The laser-cut paneled doors let air flow easily into each locker so no moisture or smells are trapped. The added names on each locker is a cute personal touch. Plus, the orange is a fab foil to the overall gray-blue color of the cabinetry. A third must-have in the mudroom is somewhere to sit or a surface to drop a bag. This mudroom features a strategically placed niche for a bench to easily and comfortably remove shoes. Plus… that floor!
In our Colonial Drive project, the mudroom also offers plenty of storage. Since it is at an entry point of the home, the design is sophistication and polished. In the mudroom, we prioritized clever storage solutions like lockers and drawers. Each member of our clients’ family can store their jackets, book bags, sports equipment and shoes in these sleek powder blue lockers. We added a beautiful art piece and fun bench to add in the family’s personality.
The above mudroom is in our Hedwig Village project. The newly imagined mudroom is off the kitchen, and now acts as the hub as the home — complete with lockers and a desk for the homeowners. The mudroom storage was designed as traditional and timeless lockers and provide ample storage for the family. We carried the blue stain throughout the home. It sits off the garage and opens up to the family’s kitchen and the kids’ playroom.
Variations on Classic Mudrooms
The hallmarks of the perfect mudroom include storage options such as hooks, racks, shelves, tile floor (or something easy to clean), and a heavy dose of personality.
This mudroom, designed by Dufner Heighes Inc, combines the traditional mudroom with fun multi-width stripe on the walls. The cute cacti atop the shelving aren’t prickly in vibe. The shades of green and blue evoke a sense of calm which is often needed as you are coming home from a hectic day. The bench with the custom cushion adds comfort and offers more storage beneath. As you can see, your mudroom can house many different items you use every day: jackets, shoes, towels, wellies — you name it.
This space by Ron Brenner Architects is a lovely, traditional mudroom. The long bench seat, over-sized hooks, and the deep taupy bronze on the cabinetry are warm and welcoming. The Versailles pattern of the stone on the floor offers a lovely contrast to the darker built-ins while still providing the utility all mudrooms need: being easy to clean. In Houston, where our studio is located, the weather can turn in the blink of an eye. Another added bonus to your mudroom is that it aids in organizing your morning routine. While some mudrooms are purely about keeping outside dirt and mud outside, your mudroom can be whatever you’d like it to be.
Light, Seating, & Style
Another mudroom must-have is lots of light: natural and electric. A door with three-quarters or half glass is a nice addition to a fresh mudroom. This way, when your kids bounce towards the door, ready for school, they are greeted by a bright new day. As mentioned, mudrooms can be the tone-setter for your home. You visit this room every day, without fail. It should represent your personal style and function for your real life. The mudroom above is full of the homeowner’s personality. The fun, striped cushion is a great statement piece and a smart way to show off your unique design perspective. William Lee Architect & Associates designed this mudroom featuring under-the-bench storage bins for shoes, bags, or whatever you might need to pack away! I love the injection of the traditional rug in this room too.
Creating Your Mudroom
What if you don’t have a mudroom but desperately need the mudroom storage? You can convert a foyer or entry space into a mudroom-esque area easily! All you need are some of those mudroom hallmarks we mentioned earlier.
The ones featured here in a design by Chango & Co. are: Storage (raffia basket), Seating (lovely Windsor bench), Easy to Clean Flooring (Hardwoods in a medium stain color), and Lots of Light (that window!).
With a simple bench, a few monumental wooden hooks, and a small rug, you’ve got a mudroom! No matter the size of the room or the extent of your needs, a mudroom is an absolute must for busy families. They allow you to get your head right, keep your life more organized and clean, and also flex those creative muscles in a structured way.