0 In Inspiration

Mudrooms

The hardest working room in the house, mudrooms have become an essential space in any new build or renovation we work on at Park & Oak. Particularly in our geographical area, mudrooms see a lot of action in nearly every season. Snowy or muddy boots and coats of all shapes and sizes abound for many months of the year. And for those of us with kids, mudrooms help corral the trappings of kid-dom: shoes, coats, backpacks, snow pants, and gear for every sport/activity imaginable. Having one space as a hub and landing zone for so much is a life-saver, especially when trying to make it out the door to school/work/soccer practice/orchestra/swim team, etc., etc., etc.

Mudroom Tips

Joanna, one of our senior designers, helped come up with a punch list for getting the most out of your mudroom.

1. Think about your unique needs

How many cubbies or cabinets will you need? We typically recommend one for each member of the family, if space allows. Closed cabinets help hide the mess, but open ones can be more kid-friendly. We like metal mesh doors when breathability is important (think: workout gear).
How many pairs of shoes will be stored in the mudroom? Make sure to plan space for these.
Do you prefer to hang coats on a rack, or a hook? (Tip: hooks are better for kiddos!) Will each family member need space to hang a bag? Or two? Or three?
Do you have a pet? A walk in wash station contains the mess and makes clean-up easy.
Will the laundry live in this room also? We like stackable units to conserve space.
Do you need a drop zone for mail and papers? It’s much more common now to see a space like this in mudrooms versus in the kitchens of yesteryear.
Do you have space to add a powder room or bathroom? Having a bathroom near the family’s main entry/exit has been such a life-saver for us. No more running half way across the house when the kids need a last minute rest stop!

2. Incorporate storage accessories

Hooks, hooks, more hooks. Think you need 10? Buy 20.
Have baskets on hand to corral stray laundry and keep blankets at the ready. Assign one to each family member to contain hats, scarves and gloves, or, in the summer, towels, goggles and sunscreen.
Use smaller baskets to organize small items within cabinets.
Keep a tray on hand for the day’s mail, keys and loose change.

3. Make it beautiful

This is the room you will see every time you walk in the door of your home. It should make you feel happy and glad to be home. Add vintage artwork, a pretty umbrella stand and cozy textiles to help make it a welcoming space in addition to a functional one. Need more ideas? Scroll to the shop gallery for our suggestions.