Mudroom Part 2
The most important thing when you have a mudroom is to keep it tidy. Don’t let your mudroom become a chaotic catchall for shoes, athletic gear and outerwear.Some things to think about when adding or re-designing a mudroom:
If space permits, there is one element every mudroom should have: a bench. A bench is helpful when taking off boots or setting down a briefcase or shopping bags. Bench seating should be open to the floor, which allows someone to sit down and put their shoes underneath when they come inside.
Be sure to incorporate elements from both the interior and exterior to create a smooth transition. Be sure to select materials that are both functionally and visually, based on the overall design of the home and surrounding landscape.
A mudroom should be well thought out and have a specific purpose in the home. The homeowner should start by making a list of everything they plan on storing in the mudroom, how they want it to look and how it will flow with the rest of the home. Will this just be a ‘utility’ entrance for family members and pets, or will this be the primary entry/exit to the home? If the latter, it needs to maintain a neater, more elegant appearance. Will the room serve different uses in different seasons — for example, if they have a pool, will they be storing towels and pool toys here in the summer? Will they want to store boots and hockey attire here in the winter?
To ensure a mudroom stays organized and clutter-free, make the space functional and efficient for everyone:
Each person should have their own designated space.
Hooks are easier than hangers for storing outerwear, and you can hang backpacks and purses from them, too.
Double up and have two rows of hooks for longer coats on the top and shorter on the bottom.
Adding a Recycling Center to your mudroom saves your kitchen from clutter and odor until collection day. An easy-to-make sorting station will help you get in order.
Add outlets for charging phones, iPods or computers instead of letting these items clutter up the kitchen countertop.
Since mudrooms are typically small in square footage, make the most of the space by going vertical by adding shelves where bins and baskets can be placed for easy access. Smaller items like hats, gloves and scarves can be stored in the bins.
Be sure to integrate your home’s style and personality into your mudroom design. After all, your mudroom is part of your home,
For those of you who are sharing your home with furry friends, then a mudroom is the perfect place to set up and store pet’s belongings. Make sure you use tile or beadboard wainscoting, as these materials handle messes better than drywall. I also recommend porcelain tile in a medium to dark color, because it’s durable, doesn’t so every little piece of dirt right away and is easy to clean. In your pet-friendly mudroom you can add a space for cleaning wet pets, housing food and water dishes, and storing food, accessories, dog crates or litter boxes.
As you can see the possibilities as nearly endless when it comes to mudrooms and the whole thing can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, just call Andy onCall® and they will take care of everything for you on time and on budget and you with be more than pleased with the results!
