Your mudroom is a convenient spot as you walk into the house to drop off your coats, shoes, umbrellas, bags, and more before you go to the main part of your home. Over time, your space can be cluttered and need some organization.
Wondering how you can make your mudroom both stylish and have plenty of storage options? Keep reading for some creative mudroom ideas for storage and design. After all, the mudroom is typically the first room you see as you walk in—so here are some modern mudroom ideas to make a great first impression.
1. Use Built-In Storage Benches
You want to maximize your mudroom’s storage by space by utilizing as many built-in options as possible. From cubbies to shelves to cabinets, your mudroom gets a lot of use. When you are thinking about your mudroom layout, think about how you will use this space.
What are your needs? What do you want hidden? You may want to get shoe cabinets that slide open versus an open option like baskets or cubbies. You can customize how you want.
Don’t forget about built-in storage benches. These pieces can be standalone or can be combined with a shelf or cabinet. A classic arrangement has the central bench with shoe cubbies below. There are also upper cabinets for items you don’t use as often and then hooks for jackets or bags.
2. Use Woven Baskets
If your bench seat has more room, you can use some open storage with bins or baskets. Storage baskets are a great way to organize your items and also add a decorative touch.
Having storage baskets is a great way to contain your muddy shoes. Studies show that the bottoms of your shoes are dirtier than a toilet seat. This is why you need an attractive drop area for shoes so your family doesn’t wear them in your home.
Make sure to choose storage bins that are easy to clean or have removable liners that you can stick in the washing machine to remove dirt and grime. You can also add some baskets to the wall to store things like wallets, keys, dog leashes, and other smaller items.
3. Create Family Drop Zones
If you have kids, a great way to keep your busy household clean and organized is to have a drop zone for each family member (even your pets). As your kids walk in the door, have them drop off their dirty shoes, bookbags, and coats in their spot. Kids are never too young to start this habit, and they can get used to putting things away as they get older.
You can even personalize each spot with nametags, lockers, cubbies, hoods, or even just use a simple board and batten to partition off each area.
Have pull-out baskets at ground level so smaller kids have easy access. Use color and texture for appeal and encourage your family to use the mudroom daily.
You can even add a message center letting kids know plans for the evening. Put reminders so kids don’t forget school projects or their band instrument.
4. Revamp Small Spaces
You don’t need to have a large space for an elegant mudroom. You can take advantage of small spaces by converting an underused closet near the entryway. Remove the door and hinges and then mount a storage cube or wicker baskets at eye level for gloves, keys, and other small items.
You can also use side chairs if you don’t have space for longer benches. This gives a seating spot to remove or put on shoes.
Add some decorative storage hooks at different heights to your mudroom design. You can then add coats, hats, umbrellas, clothing, and other items based on the right height.
5. Combine Mudroom and Laundry Room
If you have a laundry room near your entry, it can easily double as a mudroom. You can remove dirty clothes right when you walk into the house. You can also maximize space by hanging retractable drying racks on your wall instead of using your precious floor space.
You can also add some shelves above your washer and dryer to keep your laundry items separate from the rest of the room. Add a basket or hamper for soiled clothes so they don’t stand out as you walk in. Place vertical shelving to store your coats and shoes so you don’t take away space from your laundry hampers and supplies.
You can also throw wet clothes directly in the washer without having to walk through your home.
6. Don’t Forget Decor
After you have your mudroom layout, you don’t want to forget about the decor. Choose some flooring that can easily be cleaned like engineered hardwood flooring, so you can easily clean up dirt and debris.
Make sure you get a few pieces to enhance your mudroom’s aesthetic. Look for some wall art to create a focal point as you walk in. Try using lighting that is flush-mount, and find something in a style that makes an impression and also enhances your mudroom’s lighting.
Beyond your walls, you can also make your mudroom an inviting environment by adding small accessories like small pillows. Add a small potted plant for greenery if you have some natural light.
You can also add some cheerful wallpaper or paint with warm and inviting colors. Mudrooms don’t have to be boring. Choose a bright color like green or teal for your benches, or you can paint each kid’s storage area a different color to have some more fun.
Mudroom Ideas and More
Your mudroom doesn’t have to be strictly for storage. Use these mudroom ideas to make it stylish and functional. Add some decor and don’t forget built-ins to maximize your space.
Looking for other decor ideas? Keep exploring this site for other great decor and home ideas to make your home comfortable and stylish.