With winter comes cold weather, snow, mud, and wet boots. In a perfect world, we could leave the winter slop outside, but we know that is not a realistic expectation. Incorporating a mudroom in your home can help at least contain the mess.
We are offering tips and tricks for designing a mudroom:
Tip 1: When we help a client design their mudroom space, we start by creating a list of everything they would like to keep in this area. (designer trick : measure items you plan to keep in cabinets and closets along the way to make sure your plans fit what you want to store).
Tip 2: If you have space, add a bench or seating option. A seating option can be extremely helpful when putting on shoes or need a place to set things down when you are heading in or out of the house. (designer trick: leave space open to tuck shoes and boots away to keep the area tidy).
Tip 3: Add some character and personality to the space with artwork or wallcovering. (designer trick: printed wallcovering is a great way to bring unexpected personality into the space).
Bringing it all together
In the mudroom pictured here, we included individual closed lockers (with optional shelving) to hang coats or purses. The shallow drawers keep gloves, keys, and personal everyday items organized and easily accessible. The cabinets above the lockers provide off-season storage, while the open area below is ideal for boots or shoes. (designer trick: when considering open versus closed shelving, be practical when deciding what meets your family’s needs). The white cabinets keep the space feeling open and clean while contrasting nicely with the selected dark hardware. We used the fun dog-patterned wallcovering because our client’s mudroom also doubles as a space for their beloved family dog. Not Pictured is storage for mops, vacuums, and additional cleaning supplies. (designer trick: deciding to add outlets inside cabinets and closets can be handy for charging cordless cleaning supplies or other electronics). The gray porcelain woodgrain tile flooring is not only practical but also flows nicely into our client’s kitchen.
Interior Design: Chester Hoffmann & Associates, Inc. | Photography: Andrea Rugg Photography