Organizing and then
keeping a mudroom in tact can be a daunting task! It’s the one place where you
feel it is okay to dump everything and not worry about what it looks like. You
get home with a bunch of groceries and you just throw things down, forgetting
that you left it a mess because it is out of sight. Believe me, it’s not just you- everyone does this!
Your mudroom is the
last thing you see when you leave the house and the first thing that greets you
when you get home. Your mudroom
should make you happy, so why not make it a stress-free environment?
As a designer who
works in a lot of new construction, I often spend quite a bit of time with my
clients designing this room. If it is a large enough space, I love having
custom built-ins made. It is really simple and any carpenter can quickly make
this for out of inexpensive materials found a local building supply store. If you are to go the custom route, my
favorite approach is giving each member of the family their own section.
Here is a photo of a
mudroom that I recently designed.
Or, if you are a
limited in space and do not have room for a custom built-in storage unit, there
are some great pre-made ones online. Pottery Barn has the Olivia
collection where you can build your own mudroom. You really only need a bench, maybe some storage below, and
then add hooks on the wall above.
One of my clients is
a very organized mom. Everyone has their own cubby and set of hooks that is
designated by name tags. It is the responsibility of each family member to keep
their section clean, whether it is by putting away their shoes in their cubbie
section, or storing their hats and gloves in their own basket.
In lieu of a label
maker, order initial wall décor from Etsy.
These 5”x7” customizable options from StARTingCreations
are really fun! Just put hang them above each person’s cubbie and you are good
to go!
And if labels aren’t
your thing, why not give each person their own color basket? I love The Land of Nod’s
Strapping Storage
bins, and they come in a multitude of colors. Why not let each kid pick out their
own color so they know which one belongs to them!
My other favorite
storage bins are from The
Macbeth Collection. Pick one of their patterns if you’d rather keep it
consistent but monogram each family member’s name on the front. These always
add a punch of color to any room!
Last but not least,
have a section in your mudroom for messages. It’s a great place to put
reminders or notes for other family members. If you are up to the challenge, why not paint an entire wall
out of Benjamin Moore’s Chalkboard
Paint? It is easy to apply and comes in so many colors!
You can also contain
the chalkboard to a small section by creating a frame on the wall with
decorative moulding…
Or, just use it on a
door!
To wrap up, here are
my keys to success for a mudroom that’s functional and fun:
● Give
everyone their own space, whether it is a cubbie section or simply a storage
bin.
● Make
sure everyone’s space is clearly marked.
● Don’t
be afraid to have fun whether it is with colorful bins, a chalkboard wall, or
just a fun rug!
Anyway about it,
little things can help make your mudroom a happy place so it isn’t that messy
room that stresses you out!
Good luck organizing!
Elizabeth
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