When most people think of a mudroom, they have pictured them as something found in northern climates where people shed wet, snowy outdoor clothing. But, let’s take a step back and look at them in a new light. Think of them as a cross between a utility room and a walk in closet. Now, they work in all climates. Their main purpose is to bring order to the most used entry of your home. They should be a place where you can store outerwear, boots, sports gear, and anything else that you may need when you go outside. You don’t need a lot of space to add a mudroom to your home. The users of the mudroom will dictate the design of the mudroom. The needs of a family with children will be vastly different from that of an older couple.
Where the mudroom is located will determine how it will be finished. If it located by the back door, this is where most of the family will come and go from the yard. In this case, go for a simple functional approach. Modular shelving and plastic storage bins will fit in nicely. If it is located off of the kitchen, make the cabinetry match that of the kitchen. In this case, it will make both spaces seem to be larger, as it will appear to be an extension of the kitchen. If it is located inside the front door, it will need to be a little more formal in appearance. Decorative hardware and furniture, like a coat rack, console table, or hall tree, can give it a touch of elegance without skimping on its functionality.
The floor of the mudroom will definitely take a beating. Because of this, the floor must be made of a durable material that is slip resistant. Concrete, laminate, and vinyl will wear very well, but they are slick when wet, so they should be avoided. Textured rubber and unpolished stone tiles will work very well in this application. If you choose a dark color, it will help to camouflage dirt. If you have the option, it is a great advantage to have a central drain put into the floor.
For the walls, vinyl wallpaper works very well, as it can easily get sponged off when it gets dirty. A high gloss paint works as well, although because the walls will get dinged up, it will need repainting occasionally. A vinyl cove baseboard is a low maintenance choice which works well, but traditional wood molding does have a nicer appearance.
It is also important to include a comfortable sturdy place to sit while removing shoes or boots. A bench or stool will be more stable than a chair. The seating should be off of the path between the rest of the house and the outer door. A bench with under seat storage not only works well, but it will keep clutter under wraps.
For kids, quick and easy access to storage is critical. After school time can be more manageable with child height hooks, long with open cubbies, bins, or baskets for books and backpacks. Also think of color coding storage areas for each child. Adults will need an area out of child’s reach to drop their keys or cell phone.
Also, designate a waterproof area to store shoes and boots. This will help to avoid mess and keep the room organized. As an additional option, if plumbling is not an issue, a mop sink is a very useful option to add.
A.C. T. Services would be thrilled to have the opportunity to show you the best choices for creating a mudroom in order to make your home more organized and manageable. We can put our 31 years of experience to work in making your mudroom into the family entryway that you have always wanted. We will make the mudroom match your personality, as well as your personal tastes. Most of all, you are the most important member of our remodeling team.
Gary Harris
