Making the Most of Your Mudroom

Published: February 8, 2024

Updated: January 2, 2024

Mudrooms are a coveted architectural element in modern homes, and there are many ways to mimic this trend if your square footage doesn’t allow for this extra storage space. Whether you prefer open shelving, cubbies, or drawers, there are numerous ways to ensure they are functional spaces that maximize your time and energy.

“Not every home needs a mudroom, but it can be a valuable addition to a new build for many reasons,” says interior designer Ellen Matthews. “A mudroom provides dedicated space for storing outdoor gear like coats, shoes, hats, and bags. This can help keep your entryway and other living spaces tidy and clutter-free, especially If you have young children or pets,” Matthews advises.

Through my research, I gathered that these utilitarian spaces are very personal and demand individual styling, as everyone has varied preferences on how shoes, socks, coats, and bags should be stored. These small nuances aside, there is a plethora of inspirational content that is sure to get your gears turning as you make the most of your mudroom.

01 of Hooks for Everyone

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Interior designer Neha Kaimal notes, “Mudrooms serve as a transitional space, keeping outdoor elements at bay and facilitating a cleaner main house. Beyond functionality, mudrooms offer valuable storage space, including coat closets.”

Overall, one of the most important pieces in establishing a designated mudroom is allowing space for hanging backpacks, coats, and purses. This is the first area you see when you walk into a home, so it’s essential to hang the things pertinent to coming and going in a spot where they are easily accessible. Having multiple hooks available ensures that this is possible for every member of your family.

02 of Plentiful Seating

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Especially when little bodies are involved, a necessary detail of any mudroom is having a place for children to sit to either organize their backpacks or put on their shoes. An additional benefit to these benches, whether built-in or otherwise, is that they have space below them that can be used for shoe storage. Seasoned mom Lora refers to this area as “the drop zone,” where items can be stored in the open for quicker access.

03 of Bench With Upholstered Cushion

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It’s so cozy to return home after a long day of work or school and be able to sit down and remove your shoes or your coat on a soft surface. Not only are they comfortable, but they are a great way to show off your style in a color or pattern of your choosing. Contributor Stacy followed a similar idea in her home, including “top baskets and bins for storage and a nice long bench with an upholstered seat cushion.”

04 of Built-in Sock Drawer

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Taking shoe storage one step further is storing your socks alongside your shoes in built-in drawers by the front or back door. Nothing is more frustrating or inconvenient than having to run to your bedroom to grab socks before returning to where your shoes are placed. Remove this extra step by building a few small drawers that can improve your home systems and make leaving the house much more efficient.

05 of Cubbies Galore

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For homeowner Maria, capacity is the most critical component of a mudroom. She explains she would “go for more storage and a small or no seat. You’ll need more storage than you think!” Whether you prefer shelving or closed cabinetry, maximizing your space with tall cabinets will ensure this is possible, even if that means nixing a bench or chair.

06 of Enclosed Cabinets

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For a fresher and more organized look, closed cabinets with delicate hardware brighten a room nicely. They minimize the look of clutter because anything and everything is hidden behind closed doors. There are a few drawbacks to consider, however, including how gentle little hands are with doors opening and shutting. Mom Amanda agrees, noting that doors “would have been a pain for how often we are putting things in and out.”

07 of Open Top and Bottom

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You can easily transition a traditional closet into a mudroom with the help of board and batten trim, a few built-in cubbies, and the removal of closet doors. The transformation shown here explores the possibilities of this hack, and one of our readers Renna confirms the accessibility of this design with her stamp of approval. In her home, she utilized the help of bottom cubbies for shoes with a set of assigned hooks above for backpacks and outerwear.

08 of Upper Cabinets and Bottom Drawers

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Reader Joanie took mudroom design one step further and included drawers and cabinets in her home. She states, “I have upper cabinets and large deep drawers on the bottom. Everyone in the fam, including the dog, has a drawer.” Unlike shelves or cubbies, drawers can keep miscellaneous items organized, like phone cords, hats, gloves, or even water bottles.

09 of Assigned Cubbies With Doors

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Design enthusiast Suzette notes on the necessity of a mudroom with doors. She exclaims, “Doors! My kids have a cubby and phone charging stations in the cubby, but the best parts are the doors.” She continues, “Even though the cubbies are a wreck, the doors are shut, and it always looks nice.” We love a good cleaning tip, Suzette!

10 of Mudroom Under the Stairs

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In a home without the square footage to accommodate a full mudroom, you can easily make great use of the space below the stairs to store shoes, backpacks, and coats. With the help of a sturdy shoe rack and coat hooks, the space is transformed into a functional nook that is convenient for the comings and goings of your home. Because of the limited space, this design idea is fairly easy to keep organized, and anything that doesn’t fit can simply be transported back into bedrooms.

11 of Proximity to Laundry

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In a home with dirty bodies involved in sports and other activities, situating your mudroom area beside the washer and dryer is a pro tip, explains homeowner Anna. She boasts the convenience of this design by explaining, “Our laundry was so close so things could go right in.” Who doesn’t love a good laundry hack, am I right?

12 of All-encompassing Utility Room

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Similar to the laundry closet and mudroom combo shown above is a fully immersive mudroom experience that maximizes the best of both worlds. This is one feature Nicolette regrets not implementing in her house, explaining, “I wish we could’ve done a deep utility sink for washing hands and being able to clean things when needed.” A well-organized mudroom is a mother and father’s dream, providing storage and organization all in one location within the home- a true luxurious treasure.