Home Renovation: Mudroom Design Elements
We completed a yearlong renovation and addition to our home in December 2023. Among the list of spaces added was a mudroom. If a home has space for a mudroom they are an added bonus (and have a 50% ROI). They serve as a drop zone, help maintain organization and tidiness, provide extra storage, and contain dirt and outside ick that comes inside from pets and shoes (and kids). Read on to learn more about the selections I made for my family’s new mudroom.
Seating
A bench in the mudroom was a must. Like many people, I have some shoes that require me to sit and put on, and we have parents who would like to sit to put shoes on. The small seating space is strategically positioned next to our shoe locker so you can easily grab your shoes and sit to put them on. I chose a light hickory for the bench as it complements the kitchen island and shelving just outside the mudroom. The hickory runs the length of the wall allowing for a nice trim along the built ins, providing some visual interest.
Upper Storage
To add balance to the wall, the designer I worked with made the space above the outer two lockers covered with doors that open upward while the inner two spaces remain open. We keep snow and ski pants, dog treats and collars, and baseball hats in these top spaces. I chose two fun bins for the open spaces so my husband and I have a dedicated space for our ball caps. There is a hickory shelf above the seating space where a bin (that is on backorder) will be placed for papers and mail.
Drawer Interiors
Inside each drawer is a darker wood to complement the light hickory. These drawers are primarily for hats and gloves – we do live in Michigan so we have a variety for the changing winter weather and activities. I placed dividers inside the drawers to keep gloves and hats separate and organized. One drawer is set aside for the two dogs – medicine, training tools, and the odds and ends we need but don’t use daily for our pups.
Drawer Handles
Just kidding - we don’t have handles! How do we open them, you might ask… Well, I asked the cabinet maker to make a decorative cut at the top of each drawer to serve as the “handle.” We don’t hit our shins or feet on hardware, and the lines are clean, minimal, and practical.
Lockers
I have a small family so we only need three lockers – one for each of us. There is no more searching under the plethora of bulky winter coats on a coat rack to find what we are looking for. Each locker has three hooks for coats and anything that needs to be hung. In addition, the cabinet maker added shelving that can be added and/or adjusted; at the moment, each locker has one shelf, but that can always change based on our ever-evolving needs.
Power Outlets
My personal goal is to have technology tucked away at night so I added a power outlet to each locker. Currently, I keep my iPad charging in my locker to help me limit screen time, and my son’s tablet and Toniebox are kept in his locker so they are always charged.
Shoe Locker
I LOVE this shoe locker. I chose to mount a full length decorative and heavy-duty screen in the door of the locker so shoe smells aren’t trapped. The screen, while costly, is heavy duty so it will stand the test of time and hold up to heavy use. The shelving is adjustable, matches the light hickory, and has slats for additional air circulation. Each family member gets two to three shelves for their shoes. (We keep the dirty outdoor yardwork sneakers and seasonal boots in the garage just outside the mudroom door.)
I hope this offers some inspiration for your mudroom or drop zone. Having a space for everything keeps things organized and clutter at bay. Questions about my mudroom or your drop zone? Leave them below. Happy Organizing!
Cabinet Maker – Wolverine Cabinet Co.
Construction and Installation – K.P. Neuman & Sons Construction, Inc.
Runner – L.L. Bean (Everyspace Recycled Waterhog Mat Runner, Large in Bluestone)