Designing for Convenience: Mudroom Edition
In the world of renovation, a little convenience can go a long way! With that in mind, I am back with more tips to help you design for convenience. Make sure you check out Designing for Convenience: Laundry Room Edition for more inspiration!
Today’s post focuses on the mudroom—let’s be real, this room gets a lot of action! Raise your hand if you have a mudroom, or are dreaming about adding one. I bet that you crave convenience in this hardworking space. If this sounds like you, settle in and get ready to learn how YOU can design your mudroom for convenience.
A quick mudroom overview
What does a mudroom do?
Let’s begin with the location and function of the mudroom. Traditionally, the mudroom is close to a home's entry point. Whether it be near the back, front, or side door, the mudroom's job is the same. We use this room to catch the mud before it’s trekked into the house and to store dirty, wet items like shoes and raincoats.
Size matters…or does it?
Our studio is located in Seattle, WA. My team often works in homes where a generously sized, independent mudroom is a dream rather than a reality. In these cases, we have to get creative and design every square inch of the available space to maximize the efficiency and convenience factor that a mudroom can offer.
We have designed high-functioning mudrooms (or mud zones!) in four feet of wall space to the great satisfaction of our clients. It can be done!
Who uses the mudroom?
Before you start planning, take a moment to consider who will use the mudroom and how it will be used. A family of five with school-aged kids will have different mudroom needs than a retired couple with two large dogs!
If you do have kids, I encourage you to consider their ages and how they will change as they grow older. For example, you might fit two or even three pairs of toddler shoes in a shoe cubby that only fits one pair of adult shoes. Designing for flexibility and change is key when you are considering family mudroom needs.
Whether you are planning a full mudroom or mud zone renovation, or a minor upgrade, I have tips to help you plan for convenience and make your mudroom the envy of your block!
Photography by: Emily Keeney
Ready to design for convenience? Start here!
A mudroom designed with convenience in mind can make a huge difference in the quality of your day-to-day life. I’ve categorized the most popular needs in the mudroom based on my experiences with my clients. Use this resource as you navigate your mudroom renovation.
Storage, storage, storage!
Let’s start with one of the most important functions of the mudroom—storage! Make a list of all the things you need and want to store in your mudroom. Go beyond the list and zero in on how many of each item you hope to store. Prioritize the list and consider how much space you can dedicate to each item.
For example, you might have twenty pairs of shoes but only two that you wear often. Is it a priority to store all twenty pairs of shoes in the mudroom, which might mean sacrificing other item storage, or can you carve out a place elsewhere in the home for the shoes you wear occasionally? If you want to store coats, can they hang on hooks for easy grab-and-go, or do you need them hanging in a closet?
To kick off the storage list-making process, I have created a list of items that our clients frequently request to incorporate into their mudrooms.
Closed versus open
When planning for storage, you will want to think about the differences between open and closed storage. Closed storage is ideal if you don’t want to see the mess. Choose open storage if you are craving the ultimate easy drop and are not too fussed about seeing your items. Many of our clients choose a combination of open and closed storage.
A place to rest your laurels…and put your shoes on!
Pull up a comfortable seat! Adding a bench to your mudroom is a great way to add convenience. From providing a place to sit while you take your shoes off to being the perfect landing spot for bags, a bench can make a big difference in your daily routine. Cushions are always a great option to make your bench even more comfortable. However, we usually don’t use them if there are built-in cubbies above the bench and curious kids in the mix who need a non-slip surface to stand and kneel on.
Command Center
Depending on how much foot traffic it gets, the mudroom could be a smart place for a command center. Now, what exactly is a command center? It is a place to share information in a central location. This could be a whiteboard, chalkboard, calendar, or pinboard—just to name a few!
(1) Gray Fabric Pinboard (2) White Magnetic Dry Erase Board (3) Acrylic Wall Calendar (4) Leather Wall Pockets (5) Dry Erase Calendar (6) Magnetic Wall Board
The Drop Zone
If space allows, consider adding a drop zone to your mudroom. A drop zone for your keys, mail, and handbags adds the ultimate convenience factor. You might be thinking that drop zones can easily become cluttered—and you are correct! I recommend creating intentional places for each of the drop items, such as handbag cubbies, mail slots, and key hooks.
Materials
Part of your mudroom renovation is choosing the materials for your floors, cabinets, and wall finishes. I highly recommend choosing durable finishes that will hold up well against the muddy, wet items you store in your mudroom.
A resilient floor material like tile or linoleum will be easier to take care of than a stained wood floor. A factory-painted cabinet finish is a good choice for easy-to-care-for cubbies. A wall paint that can be wiped clean—consider a kitchen and bath paint product in an eggshell finish—will keep you from spending your weekends scrubbing at muddy fingerprints on the walls!
The Finishing Touches
Those small but mighty finishing touches can make a huge difference when it comes to designing for convenience in your mudroom. An outdoor rug adds great texture, colors, and patterns. Plus, it’s the perfect place to wipe dirty shoes.
A full-length mirror gives you an opportunity to check yourself out before you leave the house. Durable baskets can add texture and are also a convenient place to store hats, gloves, and pet items. Hooks on the wall next to the door are another simple finishing touch that brings convenience into your space.
(1) Cast Brass Dog Hook (2) Storage Basket (3) Boot Tray (4) Woven Wall Basket (5) Wall Mirror with Hooks (6) Swivel Hanging Rack
Make the most of your mudroom
When planning for your renovation, I recommend designing for convenience in the mudroom. The mudroom may be the place that stores dirty shoes and wet coats, but it’s also where you gather, where you rest heavy bags, and where you even check your hair before skipping out the door! A few intentional updates can make this space work hard for you and your family—and even become one of your favorite hubs in your home.
