An organized mudroom can transition the space between the outdoors and your home. It’s a buffer zone, keeping dirt, moisture, and clutter from spreading throughout the house. Whether you’re adding a new mudroom or upgrading the one you have, careful planning can make the space functional. We’ve provided some tips to create a mudroom that meets your needs and makes your home more organized and clean.
Customize and Organize
Mudrooms are known for their versatility in organizing everything from backpacks to sports equipment. They also double as spaces for different chores, including laundry and plant care. Most importantly, mudrooms are a barrier between the outside and inside of your home.
To create a mudroom, determine how you’ll use the area and how much room you can dedicate to this space. Account for the number of people using the space and their requirements, plan for various storage options and choose materials that can withstand heavy traffic and moisture.
For a small home, a row of hooks behind the entry door might be enough. Families with children may need a larger area with shelves for school supplies and sports gear, ideally near a side or back door.
Storage-Packed Stair Landing
Maximizing space in a small home requires creativity. This mudroom, as seen in the image above, is in an 8-foot-wide by three 1/2-foot-deep stair landing off a basement-level back door. This demonstrates how to make the most of limited space.
Recessed Built-In
An open, 18-inch-deep “closet” carved into the stair wall leading to the kitchen/living space provides ample storage. The bottom shelf, which overhangs the built-in by two inches, doubles as a seat and a convenient spot for grocery bags. Upper shelves store items out of children’s reach. Smart use of vertical space helps de-clutter the area and keep items accessible.
Beadboard Paneling
Wood sheathing finished with easy-to-clean semigloss enamel protects the inside of the built-in and surrounding walls from dents and scratches. This finish keeps the space clean even with heavy use. The beadboard paneling also adds a customized touch, making it practical and well-designed.
Woven Bins
Natural fiber baskets with easy-to-grab handles slide out from floor-level cubbies, providing convenient storage for shoes and pet accessories. These bins are a practical solution for keeping items organized and easily accessible.
Slate Tile Floor
Instead of continuing the wood flooring used for the stairs, the landing has slate tiles. This is easier for maintenance and provides better protection against wet or muddy shoes. Slate’s natural texture is also slip-resistant, making high-traffic areas safer.
Function-Filled for Less
Every well-designed mudroom has five essential features that can be implemented on a budget. This family’s mudroom brought order to what was once a cluttered back-door entry off their kitchen.
Storage
A wall-mounted unit made from metal, adjustable brackets, and shelves provides multiple levels of storage space. This DIY approach is cost-effective and easy for any homeowner to install. Mixing new and reclaimed materials to build your storage space also gives your mudroom a customized look.
Walls
To guard against wear and tear, the family sheathed the drywall in wood paneling painted with heavy-duty semigloss paint. This treatment can be replicated using tongue-and-groove floor planks, offering durability and style. The wood paneling protects your walls and adds a warm feel to the entryway.
Seating
A DIY shoe-changing bench was created by pairing two shelves or lengths of reclaimed wood side by side on sturdy brackets. This simple solution provides a comfortable spot to put on or remove shoes. The bench is functional, blending the overall design of this mudroom.
Accessories
Rubber tubs at floor level offer easy access to frequently used items like shoes and toys. Lidded containers on upper shelves keep art supplies and other items dust-free. This combination of open and closed storage helps maintain an organized space.
Flooring
A wool rug protects the painted wood floors while adding warmth and comfort for bare feet. The busy design helps hide dirt, making it a practical choice for high-traffic areas. If installing new flooring, vinyl tiles made with recycled materials and low-VOC adhesive is an eco-friendly option. The right flooring choice helps maintain cleanliness.
Multipurpose Pantry
This mudroom combines functionality and convenience by directly opening into a kitchen pantry. This setup allows for easy cleanup before entering the house while having quick access to snacks and supplies. Connecting the mudroom to your pantry saves time and adds another layer of practicality to your home.
Hand-Washing Station
The sink features a tall spigot and a drinking fountain, allowing children to clean up and drink water without tracking dirt into the house. This fixture maximizes the room’s utility while being both child- and pet-friendly, with an easy transition from outdoor to indoor spaces.
Stainless-Steel Counter
A germ-repelling stainless steel surface provides an easy-to-clean area for folding clothes or working on messy art projects with kids. Its durability makes it perfect for a variety of tasks. The counter material you choose will contribute significantly to hygiene and ease of maintenance.
Open Shelving
Easily accessible open shelves along the back wall and below the counter hold baskets with snacks, hand towels, and other essentials. This storage option keeps items organized and within reach. The openness of the shelving also encourages you to keep a neat, decluttered space.
Message Board
A sliding door transformed with glue-in-place cork sheeting serves as a communication center for your family. It’s great for posting phone numbers, grocery lists, and children’s artwork or other accomplishments. This use of space keeps everyone updated with information and reminders.
River Rock Floor
Tumbled rocks, backed with mesh and grouted in lace, are installed like ceramic mosaic tile but are more slip-resistant. This natural-looking flooring option is great for wet areas and adds a unique touch to the space. It combines safety and design, making it a good choice for muddy or damp conditions.
Boot Bench
A thrift-store find can become a nice bench and drop-off point for mail, gardening supplies, and laundry detergent. Topped with a moisture-resistant fabric cushion, it provides comfortable seating for removing shoes or kneeling to jot quick notes at the counter.
Open and Airy Enclosed Porch
This summer cottage’s enclosed porch doubles as a mudroom, providing a spot for storing sandy flip-flops and damp towels. Folding chairs offer comfortable seating for putting on sandals or packing a beach bag. This setup is practical for seasonal needs, keeping your home clean and organized.
Freestanding Cupboard
A vintage furniture piece provides storage comparable to a custom built-in at a lower cost. It’s best for storing towels, beach accessories, and other essentials. The design blends seamlessly with the overall theme, contributing to the space’s functionality.
Drying Rack
A vintage wall-mounted rack is convenient for hanging wet towels or clothes. This simple addition can improve your mudroom’s efficiency, allowing wet items to dry without causing clutter in the rest of your home.
Boot Tray
Galvanized steel containers resist rust and prevent water from pooling on the floor beneath wet shoes. This addition helps protect flooring and keeps the area tidy. It also makes accumulated water or dirt from shoes easier to empty and clean, maintaining the cleanliness of the space.
Window-Crank Hooks
Instead of installing a traditional peg rack, homeowners can repurpose casement window cranks as hooks for hanging baseball caps and keys on lanyards. This solution adds character to the space, as seen in the photo above.
Well-Ordered Main Entry
This mudroom, located off the back door of the home, is the primary entrance for the family. A built-in unit with arches and curves elevates the space, making it suitable for guests as well. By adding personalized touches, you can balance functionality with unique designs.
Tall Coat Cubbies
A 10-foot-long by 18-inch-deep storage unit is divided into open “lockers.” Hooks inside keep coats out of direct view and away from the main walkway. High shelves store less frequently used items, while lower ones keep everyday essentials within easy reach. The bottom lip creates a convenient seat for changing shoes. This design streamlines entry and exit, making it functional for a busy family.
Rugged Runner
A blue sisal rug protects the painted wood floors and can be easily swept or shaken clean outside. This material stands up well to heavy foot traffic and adds some color to the space. To keep the rug in good condition, vacuum regularly or hose it down and dry it outside in the sun.
Screen Door
A classic screen door serves many purposes in this mudroom. It provides ventilation and allows sunlight to enter, reducing humidity and preventing mildew while also helping to dry out wet clothes or towels.
Oversize Basket
A large, movable storage bin holds items that are too large for the cubbies, such as lacrosse sticks and umbrellas. This storage solution allows for easy reorganization as needs change. The basket can be relocated within the space and used for different items throughout the year.
Triple-Duty Laundry Area
This 6-by-12-foot space combines a laundry room, potting area, and mudroom. A half wall between the kitchen and back door creates a dedicated area where homeowners can remove dirty clothes and toss them directly into the washer. This setup helps with productivity and keeps the main living areas clean.
Granite Counter
A seamless granite surface provides a great area for folding clothes and potting plants. Its smooth surface is easy to wipe clean and doesn’t have the soil-catching grout lines that tile countertops have.
Plant Ledge
The half wall is topped with a polyurethane wood shelf, creating a perfect spot for potted plants. This addition brings life to the space and helps limit the visibility of the mudroom from the kitchen. Incorporating plants also adds a natural touch to make the space feel fresh.
Slate Floor
Slate pavers, typically used for outdoor applications, are a great choice for wet areas. Unlike polished stone tiles that can become slippery, slate’s textured matte surface provides more traction. The natural look of slate also complements almost any design, making it a practical flooring option.
Rustic Wood Bench
This thrift-store find in the image above is a great bench that provides functionality for mail drop-off, gardening supplies, and groceries. Incorporating rustic and vintage elements into your mudroom and home can create a comfortable space.
Kid- and Pet-Friendly, Back-Door Entry
Located at the rear entrance of this home, the mudroom provides a designated area for children to remove coats and shoes. In the image above, you’ll see the mudroom also has an out-of-the-way feeding spot for the family dog, keeping pet-related messes contained. This setup helps to maintain order and cleanliness across main living areas.
Mosaic Tile Floor
Black and white ceramic hexagon tiles create a durable and easy-to-clean surface. A quick pass with a mop removes muddy paw prints and other debris. While you can choose a pattern of your liking, this specific tile adds vintage charm while still being practical.
Wall Hooks
Hooks mounted at a child-accessible height encourage kids to hang up jackets and bags rather than tossing them on the floor. This solution helps keep the space tidy and teaches children to organize their things. Installing hooks at different heights makes your mudroom more accessible for all family members.
Wood Bench
A bench with turned legs provides seating and allows space underneath for wicker storage bins. These bins are great for holding balls, frisbees, and other outdoor toys. By keeping items organized, the bench can stay free of clutter for better functionality.
Hat Rack
A vintage mirrored rack hung between the back door and entry to a crafts room allows adults to make adjustments before heading out for the day. This functional piece also adds a vintage look to the space to match the flooring. Integrating these elements provides a cohesive and personalized mudroom.
Maximizing Vertical Space
To maximize storage in small rooms, install floating shelves above hooks, use over-the-door organizers, and hang mesh bags or baskets from ceiling hooks for lightweight items. You can also install tall, narrow cabinets for more storage in a small space.
Incorporating Technology
Modern mudrooms can benefit from technological additions for better functionality. Install a smart speaker for hands-free assistance and add a charging station for phones and other devices. Use motion-sensor lighting, install a digital calendar or message board for the family, and include a weather station to help plan outings and choose the right gear. Incorporating these elements can modernize your mudroom for practicality.