Blog Post

How to Organize a Mudroom

Bret Carr • Oct 20, 2021

With fall here and winter approaching, one of the rooms that's bound to see more action than usual is your mudroom. The space that acts as the last line of defense between your home and the great outdoors should be well equipped to store the coats, boots, hats, and other paraphernalia that comes with messier winter weather.

To make sure your home is adequately prepared, here are a few things to consider when organizing your mudroom.

1. Maximize Space - Do you have a small mudroom and a big family? Perhaps your situation is the other way around. Either way, you'll want to organize your mudroom in a fashion that makes the best use of space.

2. Clear a Path - The mudroom can be a busy zone with a lot of activity. Besides storage solutions, you'll want to create a room that's easy to navigate.

3. Pick a Storage Solution - There are a lot of options when deciding where to store your items.

4. Customize - Is there a skateboarder in your family? Do you have pets? Your outdoor activities will determine how you'd like your mudroom to function.

5. Prepare for Inclement Weather - The mudroom is the only thing protecting your home's interior from slush and mud. Prepare wisely, grasshopper.

There's no shortage of fun and creative ways to get the most out of your mudroom. Stay tuned to learn more!

Get The Most Out of Your Mudroom

Most homes don't have a lot of space to work with when it comes to mudrooms, but even if yours is especially roomy you'll still want to use that space as efficiently as possible. Making use of the walls, for instance, is a great way to increase your mudroom's storage capacity. Shoe cubbies are an excellent space-saving solution as are wall hooks for coats and backpacks. Family Handyman even has a DIY project you can do on your own that allows you to increase your capacity by hanging items vertically.

Don't Block The Door

If there's one thing that all mudrooms have in common, it's that they see a lot of foot traffic. Since most folks will be entering your house through the mudroom, you won't want your organizational choices to block the easy movement of people going in and out.

One effective way of clearing up space is to put a two-person bench by the doorway. This will allow family members and guests to remove their dirty boots without blocking the entryway. You can even use the space under the bench to hold shoes and other items!

Storage That Works for You

There are about as many storage options available as there are mudrooms, but sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. An attractive bucket is all you need for umbrella storage, and hanging rods are perfect for hanging heavy winter coats. Use cubbies against the wall(s) or under a bench for shoes, hats, and gloves, and hooks for keys and handbags.

Is there a closet by the entryway? Martha Stewart recommends turning it into a "smart closet" by mounting hooks to the inside of the door and increasing your coat storage capacity with a rod extender.

Make Your Mudroom Your Own

Every family is different, so customize your mudroom however you see fit. If you have a skateboarder in the family, provide room for all the tools of the trade like knee pads and helmets. Pack cubbies with baskets full of all the necessary sporting equipment and athletic gear. Dog leashes? Bicycle shoes and helmets? You can store all sorts of things in your mudroom if you plan ahead.

Are your kids too buried in their electronic devices to register important messages like “Call me” and “I love you”? Not a problem. Use the mudroom as a family communication center! Keep a calendar by the door, and hang a dry erase board that you can update with reminders, words of encouragement, or even inspirational quotes!

Keep The Outdoors… Outdoors

Your mudroom acts as a buffer zone between the home and the elements, so make sure yours is properly equipped to deal with the rigors of foul weather. The Spruce has several suggestions to protect your home's interior. For instance, regardless of your type of flooring, you don’t want moisture getting into the house, so keep indoor and outdoor mats on either side of the entryway.

If your front yard gets muddy, a boot-scraper by the outdoor mat might be a good idea. Also keeping a drip tray in your mudroom to hold wet shoes and umbrellas will prevent dirt and water from being tracked indoors. There’s nothing you can do to prevent stormy weather, but if you can isolate its effects to just one corner of the house, there’s nothing you can’t handle!

Conclusion

A mudroom gives you extra space for storage and to make daily living more convenient. By cleverly incorporating these organizational tips, you can get the most out of your entryway while creating a stylish and attractive room to boot!