With back to school season here, you may be thinking of more ways to keep your family organized. The mudroom can quickly become chaotic with book bags, shoes & eventually, jackets & coats. Whether you have a mudroom that needs an upgrade or want to create one, planning the details of your materials and storage can help this room work well for your household. Hi, I’m Michele Irizarry, CEO & Broker of Shore Prime Properties. Stay up to date with our content on YouTube, LinkedIn & Facebook. Our weekly posts cover the home buying & selling process, DIY tips and design trends. We also have articles just like this in our very own printed magazine, “Good to Be Home“. If you would like to receive it in the mail, reach out to us today.
SIZE AND LOCATION: These factors should be the first considerations to ensure that your mudroom is convenient and suits your needs. A mudroom can be any size, but be sure to consider these points.
Small and compact: Small mudrooms can pose a design challenge, but creativity is key to assembling a neat system that can address a variety of needs. Fashioning a compact mudroom in your home requires thinking about several elements. For example, when would you use the mudroom most often? And where do you most frequently enter and exit your home? Most people share their mudroom with a laundry room or garage, and these two locations make the most sense for convenience. However, if these areas are already full, try a spot near your door or next to a coat closet.
Large and spacious: Having a whole room or section of your home to decorate as a mudroom can be overwhelming, and it can be tough to know where to start. But a large mudroom can be worth the setup if you have a busy household with children and pets because it will allow everyone to have a dedicated spot for their belongings. A large area in your home, such as a hallway between the garage and interior or a sunroom, can make for a suitable mudroom.
MADE-TO-LAST MATERIALS: Mud is in the name of this room, so expect that your belongings will track in elements from the outside. Select materials that can stand up to dirt and grime by considering your habits and lifestyle.
Steel: If you have a garage mudroom or want an industrial look, a steel locker or shelving unit is the best choice. Steel holds up against moisture and mud with minimal rusting or staining. Once a week, wipe down steel materials with a surface cleaner to keep them looking new.
Bamboo: To create a mudroom that looks natural and warm, consider bamboo. It’s a sturdy yet budget-friendly material, so bamboo cabinetry, benches, and hooks can hold up to your toughest messes. Bamboo is also porous—it soaks in water and dries naturally—so you won’t have to deal with puddles of rainwater.
Washable textiles: Any cloth, canvas, or rug materials in your mudroom should be washable. Invest in high-quality pieces that won’t need frequent replacing. Your shoes, coats, and other odds and ends will almost inevitably stain and soil these materials, so it’s convenient to throw them in the wash as needed.
Matte finishes: If you use wood in your mudroom, be sure to paint or seal it since wood can rot when exposed to the elements. A coat of matte paint can protect the wood and offers camouflage for dirt, whereas a glossy finish will highlight dirty spots.
ORGANIZATION: Once you decide on your location and choose your materials, it’s time to determine how to organize your mudroom.
Shelving and cubbies: Cubbies are perfect for shoes, and open shelving is ideal for holding baskets for hats, gloves, water bottles, and other miscellaneous items. Keep your shoe cubbies at foot level and your shelves with baskets at eye level so you don’t have to pick up dirty shoes or struggle to reach and put away small items.
Benches: A bench is a mudroom must-have because it gives you a spot to sit and place your bags while putting shoes on and taking them off. Consider a storage bench if you have a compact space, which can serve a dual purpose without taking up too much of the room. If your bench doesn’t have built-in storage, you can place a few baskets underneath it.
Hanging storage: Hooks typically serve as a storage spot for jackets and umbrellas. While you should include hooks for those items, mail baskets, keys, and other small belongings fit nicely on them too. Install hooks and hanging baskets to serve as catchall storage so that you can locate these items with ease when you need them.
The most important benefit of your mudroom is what it can do to make your life a bit easier. By applying these tips, you can pick the perfect layout, materials, and storage to make this part of your home a total success. I’m Michele Irizarry selling prime real estate at the Jersey Shore.
