Keeping Clean and Organized with a Mud Room or Entranceway
I did not grow up in a house with a side door or a separate entranceway, so when we came in from playing outside, we had to walk through the living room instead. That’s why I clearly remember the first time I heard the phrase “mud room.” When I walked into a home with a mud room for the very first time, noticing the organized space and the flow of traffic through the side door, I was sold!
The side door entrance, mud room, can be one of the most important rooms in the house, especially now, in the age of the pandemic. If well thought out, a mud room can also look pleasing and neat. If you have the space and budget, this room can be very useful.
Despite its name, a mud room can actually be quite a versatile space. Here's what you can do to make the most out of your mud room.
First and foremost, the mud room is a place to hold all outdoor gear. For a family with school age children, that means:
•Schoolbags
•Sports gear
•Boots or outdoor shoes
No matter how old you are, here are some other things you may want to store or temporarily drop off in your mud room:
•Shopping bags
•Hats and gloves
•Jackets
•Sunglasses
•Packages (in/out)
•Items to recycle
•Masks (during pandemic)
•A separate basket for work or sports clothing
•All pet gear for outdoors
An area with a sink and disinfectant has become important. Those who work in high-risk environments may need to remove work clothes and place them in a safe area to disinfect. Additionally, a separate closet can hold traditional items for gardening tools or indoor cleaning supplies.
The key to making this area look beautiful, despite the potential clutter magnet, is to have an organized space for everything. This includes outdoor gear, along with other things you might need or pick up as you enter and leave your house, such as keys, mail, and notes.
Hooks, baskets, and cubbies will be your key tools. Using a limited set of materials, in a limited pallet, will keep the eye clutter minimal. To avoid a haphazard arrangement, place baskets in a repeatable pattern. Add a bench as a temporary place to sit, put on shoes, or drop off your things.
When decorating the mud room, start with neutral tones. Then, add color, perhaps with fun posters and quotes. You might also consider some fun or unique wallpaper options.
Adding a laundry room or mud room to your house allows for easier cleaning and organization. Best of all, you’ll enjoy having fewer mornings with the kids running around the house, yelling, “Mommy, I can’t find my shoes!”
A design consultation, done in person or virtually, can ease your process in making that mud room happen. Just reach out by making a complimentary discovery call.
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