There was a time when had you asked me what my dream home looks like, I would have gone on and on about a sunken living room, a two sided fireplace, wrap around porch, a library, an outdoor kitchen…. Ok, I still would love those things. But now I’m more focused on the areas that often go unmentioned by many when describing their home but are truly the workhorses of our every day lives. Our laundry rooms, mud rooms, pantries and garages deserve our respect and dare I say it, admiration?
I have never been blessed with a proper mud room. (I’ll wait while you get your violin.) But having a place to put your keys, take off your shoes and hang your coats as soon as you enter your home is a huge convenience. Knowing full well not everyone has a dedicated mud room space, I took a look at what solutions I have used in the past in our so-called mud rooms, and scoured the internet for some design solutions for small spaces to share.
If you promise not to laugh, I’ll show you a picture of our current ‘mud room’.
Yup, it’s super tiny, but we’ve managed to incorporate a place for keys, shoes, mail, umbrellas and a seat. Not bad for a space that’s made for Minnie Mouse. Notice how I use the circuit panel as a magnetic board? I’m not a fan of things on the refrigerator and let’s face it, how often do we need to use the circuit board? Can you see my Jury Summons? I can’t wait to go and spend the day in a court room with lighting that makes my wrinkles look like craters and no internet access, BUT, I should write to them and let them know how grateful I am that they coordinated their summons to match my ‘Smile’ rock 🙂 It’s the little things. Back to the subject at hand.
There aren’t nearly as many contemporary options as traditional for mud room storage solutions, but I came across a company called j-me original designs and I am impressed with their offerings. Check out the link if you’re in the market for some unique, contemporary pieces. I like this wall mounted piece for a creative alternative to hooks.
If you’re like me and get hives when you see shoes on the floor, this piece might be worth looking into.
Here’s an idea you might not have thought of…if you have a small space and you’re looking for organizing solutions, check out RV and mobile home sites! There’s one in the link below this pic.
I couldn’t find the source for this next picture, but I’m so in love my heart’s going pitter patter. Isn’t it pretty? I love the wainscotting, the window, the chair, the flooring…EVERYTHING!
This next idea is not the most practical of the bunch, but I included it because it’s a bit different. Although it’s super rustic, it could look at home in a contemporary space to help warm things up a bit.
My Favorite Mud Room Tips
- Hooks are your best friend. Think about having two sets of hooks on top of each other. The higher up hooks can hold coats and scarves, and the lower hooks (think around doorknob height) can accommodate handbags, keys, backpacks. A bonus is the coats will cover up some of the visual clutter of the items directly below.
- Consider a bench with storage bins incorporated underneath. It’s a great idea to have pieces that do double duty in a small space, and this would allow you to have a place to sit as well as store shoes, mittens, gloves, etc.
- If you don’t have space for a bench, get a small stool like we did and hang a basket from two hooks for your small items
- This isn’t exactly a novel idea, but the back of your door is a gold mine of opportunity for storage of gloves or other small items. Use an inexpensive see-through shoe organizer.
- If you have a beach house or live in an area that gets very muddy, consider a foot trough installed inside the doorway like this:
It’s a luxury for sure, but imagine how much less dirt will find it’s way into your home! Did you know that 85% of the dirt in your home is from your shoes? I read that somewhere. I think it was Martha. I’m not sure I buy it, but it sounds convincing.
Last but not least, check out this link for an unbelievable assortment of organizers for almost any space in your home in prices for any budget.
Which is your favorite mud room idea?
Mrs. Tucker says
I love the idea of a mudroom, but alas, I will have to live through others!
Denise says
I’ve always wanted a mudroom. I keep saying…in my next house… A girl can dream, can’t she?
The Honeys says
Yes, you can Denise! Dreams are what miracles are made of :).