A well-designed mudroom can add value to your home and ensure that messes stay put. It’s more than just a place to take off your shoes and jacket. A mudroom is an organized and dedicated space that serves as a catch-all. Homeowners with mudrooms don’t need to worry about tracking dirt past this one area, making cleaning more manageable. We may think of mudrooms as modern additions, equipped with storage lockers for backpacks and odds and ends, but the origin of mudrooms dates back several decades when streets were unpaved, and people could store their dirty shoes, clothing, tools, and other gear. It kept grime away from the rest of the house. Back then it was a small closet, but as with all other areas in modern homes, it has grown into something more grand. If you’re thinking of adding a mudroom in your home, here are a few essential features and tips to consider.
Carefully consider where to put your mudroom and what layout options are available to you.
Mudrooms can be added as a dedicated room in the home or could simply be an entryway or hallway area. Typically, homeowners want this space either off the garage or back door: a high traffic area from the outside in. A mudroom off the garage is a natural entrance point for many families. This option makes sense because it provides convenient storage access at the entry point families typically use most. A kitchen entry mudroom or front hallway are additional options with their own benefits, particularly if you have guests over often.
Evaluate the square footage you have available to you and visualize a layout that would work best for your family. What does your family’s daily routine look like? Do you have school-aged children? Are there athletes in the home with sports equipment? Do you have a four-legged friend? If you think carefully about a layout plan ahead of time, you’re sure to be thrilled with the end result.
Choose the perfect cabinets for mudroom functionality and to maximize storage
Something we frequently see when designing mudrooms for our clients is the incorporation of custom cabinets. Custom cabinets might not work for every space, but there are many advantages to using them. They allow storage options specific to a mudroom such as open shelving for shoes or closed storage for cleaning products. Again, consider your family. If you have small children, placing cabinets and drawers at a lower level makes sense. You can’t expect your children to help with the morning routine if they can’t reach their own backpacks!
By selecting the right cabinets and accessories, you’ll optimize storage and have a designated place for everything. This in turn will help things run smoothly and streamline morning and evening routines. If everything has its own place, there shouldn’t be any last-minute panic in locating that soccer cleat or those ballet shoes. Cabinets offer storage ideas for shoes and outerwear as well as bags and other accessories like umbrellas, seasonal gear, sports equipment, and more.
Select flooring with function in mind.
It goes without saying that mudroom flooring should be easy to clean. This is the highest traffic area in your home and you’ll want to be able to easily clean off snow, wet shoes, and well…mud. Typically we see tile flooring used in this space. A darker grout color could also help camouflage tough to scrub dirt. If you like the look of hardwoods, seriously consider manufactured wood or tiles that look just like wood. There are endless design options when it comes to tile flooring. Take this as an opportunity to take a design risk in a smaller space. If you’ve always wanted checkered flooring but didn’t want to commit to an entire kitchen, this is the perfect space for that. Additionally, a splurge that could be a wonderful addition to your mudroom is heated floors. From the minute they walk in the door your family will feel warm and cozy. Heated floors will warm up an otherwise colder area of your home since it’s connected to an outside door.
Incorporate your personal design aesthetic and don’t be afraid to have a little fun in this space!
We encourage our clients to take some risks when it comes to designing their mudroom space. After all, this is an area designated for your family–let it reflect your aesthetic and personality. While a mudroom’s primary function is organization and practicality, design elements like lighting, color, materials, and decor can create an ideal atmosphere. Consider small details like wainscotting, a built-in memo board, or a family calendar. Are you a pet owner? We’re seeing more homeowners incorporate pet-friendly features into their Mudrooms such as a grooming area or custom crate space. Your pooch will really appreciate you if you’ve decided to heat the floors! Finally, decorate with art that means something to you. This could be personal family photos or soothing nature scenes, which serves as a beautiful transition from outdoors to in.
Remember that the primary purpose of this room is to help with organization. Keep this in mind with every decision you make.
We have a lot of stuff these days. Kids are busier than ever with multiple activities, and everything from shoes and coats to seasonal gear needs a place. There are obvious storage solutions in a Mudroom like cabinetry, but consider creative storage ideas like wicker baskets, bench seating with storage, hooks, shoe racks, pull-out drawers, and open shelving. Be sure to use every inch of your space including vertical space. You can move items around based on the season but those items will still have a place. There should be no wasted space in a mudroom. Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of a label-maker. When things are labeled they are more likely to be put back in their designated space. This is a family effort, and if labels exist, it’s easier for everyone to pitch in.
J&J Construction is thrilled to offer mudroom additions to our clients. Our designers are eager to meet in order to discuss what should be included and how to create the perfect mudroom area. If you’d like more information about our renovation process, we would love to hear from you. Reach out to us for a free phone consultation: You can schedule one with our experienced team today!
