If you still think of turf-style carpeting and dark wood-paneled walls, then you haven’t seen today’s mudrooms. A mudroom is often the hardest working space in any home — and that’s especially true during our intense winters. They can also be bright, fun spaces that allow your family to stay organized and accountable for their belongings. And, they’re gaining popularity again as an essential room in any home.
Read on for insights you can use whether you’re remodeling your mudroom or repurposing a space to serve as a home for your discarded coats, jackets, bags and more.
Flooring
Let’s start from the ground up. When selecting a floor for your mudroom, consider ceramic tile or hardwood — both these materials can handle wear and tear, and they wipe down easily after muddy or snowy days. Wood laminate is a good option if you’re keeping costs down, but it may not last as long.
Rugs and boot trays
Next, think about how many pairs of boots may need to be drying at any given time. Consider buying dedicated boot trays, which are available at most big box stores and larger hardware stores. If you want to spruce up the space with rugs, make sure they can be easily tossed in your home’s washing machine.
Storage benches
Benches are a staple of the modern mudroom, and most of them have storage solutions underneath. Consider buying a bench with divided cubbies so your family members can store their hats, mittens and other outdoor gear in a dedicated space when they return home.
Jacket and bag hooks
Keep jackets and bags organized by adding hooks above your storage bench. Like the cubbies, you can give everyone a labeled space for their belongings.
Cabinets and lockers
If you have a bigger budget and space, you can nix the bench and hooks and add built-in tall cabinets or lockers for each member of your family. This option adds a layer of chicness to the space, as the chaos of jackets, scarves, bags and shoes will be hidden behind closed doors.
One final tip
Mudrooms are meant to be a transitional space, so it’s important not to over-organize or pay for complicated storage solutions. The best mudroom is the one that’s used and hard-working, not the one that looks Pinterest-perfect (although that’s a plus). Speaking of Pinterest, check out our Mudrooms and Laundry Rooms board for inspiration from some of our favorite design ideas.
Added appeal
When it comes time to sell your home, your mudroom may be an appealing room to potential buyers. This hardworking area of the house can be a good investment for your family in the coming months and an added attractive feature at resale.
