Decorating & Design
April 4, 2024
15+ Mudroom Ideas To Inspire Your Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning on your mind? These mudroom ideas are the inspiration you need to get organized. Muddy boots, drizzly coats, damp umbrellas —not to mention pets’ dirty paws — are all byproducts of the changing seasons. The solution is an organized space with durable floors that withstand all the seasonal wetness. Wall hooks, cubbies, benches and bins all come to the rescue in these compact spaces to stash essential gear and keep things organized. Take a page from these designer-approved mudroom ideas below!
Boot Drying Rack
Tongue-and-groove panelling is a classic English country house look, especially when it’s painted a stormy grey. Our favorite detail in this farmhouse has to be the old-school boot drying rack that’s affixed to the wall and uses dowels to air out damp footwear.
Experiment
Like powder rooms, designers are often willing to take more design risks in a mudroom, which is typically a transitional space. This lovely wallpapered niche is accented by a rich burgundy paint on the trim and millwork, and aubergine terrazzo floors in designer Jennifer Overweel’s home. An area under the bench is divided into two sections to amp up the organization.
Shoe Storage
The designers behind Collective Studio love an organized mudroom. “If you don’t have the depth for deep drawers, put in shelves with integrated hardware and get organized with baskets for each kid, a spot for wet boots and wall hooks for everyday jackets and bags,” says designer Jordy Fagan.
Heated Floors
In designer Olivia Botrie’s mudroom, a skylight brightens the space, while heated herringbone floors ensure the area stays dry in summer and winter.
Drop-Off Zone
Like a little surprise, the mudroom cabinet opens to reveal a corkboard, drawers and drop zone for mail and keys.
Colorful Walls
Originally all white, the mudroom in this Greenwich, Connecticut home was reborn with glossy built-ins that flank the door and wainscotting. The finish is easy to wipe down, but it’s the sunny ochre paint color that really makes this space cheery on the greyest days. See more tips from designer Monica Fried for decorating with color.
Slate Floors
In this mudroom makeover, designed Libby Rawes used slate floor tiles in a herringbone pattern for a look that’s stylish and durable. Having a mix of open and closed storage means the busy homeowners can hide shoes and jackets, while storing everyday items in baskets and on hooks.
Closed Storage
“The mudroom is my favorite room in the whole house,” says designer Jamie Deck. Hand-painted floor tile pairs perfectly with the mudroom’s sage millwork and black French doors and windows.
Open Storage
A bright and cheery mudroom is especially necessary in Vancouver’s rainy climate. In this North Vancouver home, designer Ben Levitt designed the mudroom with white oak, shiplap walls and sleek durable floors. “Some of the storage is open so it doesn’t feel claustrophobic,” says Ben.
Rugs & Curtains
Plenty of storage and hooks for coats equip the mudroom for busy school mornings. “We built this house to be lived in,” says designer and homeowner Hali MacDonald of the lush and layered room. “The dings and marks that happen along the way add to the story of our time in the house and the wonderful memories we’ve made.”
Apron Sinks
Painted a deep blue, this farmhouse mudroom incorporates traditional touches like a brick floor and apron sink.
Pretty Wallpaper
A built-in unit offers an array of hooks, drawers and cubbies to keep odds and ends stored away for a more uniform look while maintaining a lighthearted, fun vibe. Designer Sarah Baeumler outfitted this hardworking mudroom in this Princess Margaret Showhome with pretty pastel blue millwork and blush wallpaper, for a fresh spring palette.
Personalized Cubbies
In Stephanie Nerlich’s farmhouse, everyone in the family gets their own cubby in the mudroom for coats, hats and shoes, with helmets and other outdoor gear tucked away in the cupboards above. Not only the heated floor in this mudroom help snowy boots dry quickly in the winter, but it also feels nice on bare feet after an afternoon in the pool. A double tier of shelves is the perfect height for shoes while a rustic wood backing plays up the country vibe.
Non-slip Floors
A herringbone floor offers plenty of traction so it’s a great non-slip option. Dividers on the bench offer dedicated spaces, and there is a ton of closed storage both under the bench and above. Handsome picture lights illuminate the top shelves.
Storage Cart
In a mudroom, it’s easy to load or swap up seasonal gear from a cart, which can keep shoes or hats and mitts at the ready when the temperatures drop. A modular storage piece can be tucked out the way and ‘parked’ against the wall when not in use.
Comfortable Bench
At designer Sarah Richardson’s secluded country home, Starlight Farm, each family member has their own closet and basket stored on accessible shelves for easy grab-and-go. A comfy bench is a must-have when removing footwear.
Baskets
This cool, sleek mudroom looks even more orderly with rows of matching baskets, neatly tucked into niches. Placing sunhats and fresh flowers in a few cubbies gives the functional unit a more decorated look.
Cement Tiles
A punchy patterned floor in cement tiles provides visual interest against a wall of white oak built-ins (and disguises salt puddles).
Shiplap Walls
The mudroom in this Quebec ski chalet takes a beating: shiplap walls are a more durable, wipeable alternative to drywall and paint. Meanwhile, practical 30″-by-30″ porcelain floors stand in for pricier slate.