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Control Clutter With a Mudroom
Create a room for the everyday stuff of life
 Shelves, cubbies and racks for damp clothes are elements of a mudroom. Photo courtesy of Glenwood Design.Uh oh! Someone is in trouble now.
A mudroom could solve this problem. It could solve many others, too. Before you assume that this does not apply to you, consider what a mudroom is and how some version of it may be helpful to you.
What is a mudroom?
Originally, it was a room or area near the most commonly used entrance, serving as a place to remove snow-covered, wet or muddy clothing. In a broader sense, it could be any well-designed utility space used to bring order to frequently used gear near the entrance of a home.
For a family, this might be umbrellas, boots, gloves and other wet or muddy clothing. It could also be sports equipment, roller blades, helmets, backpacks or anything family members need to deposit on the way in or grab on the way out even leashes, mail and keys. And any gardener can track as much mud into the house as any self-respecting 8-year-old.
Initial considerations
- Location: What is the most frequently used entrance? If it is the front, formal entrance, the design will be something quite different than if it is a rear or side door. If the entrance is from the garage into the house, an area inside the garage near the door can be used.
- Size: If there is an entryway or utility room inside the door, thats a wonderful place to create a mudroom. However, even a well-thought-out corner can be tremendously useful.
- Uses: While the primary benefit may come in rainy and snowy seasons, think year-round. This space can be useful 12 months a year.
Elements of a mudroom
- First, the floor. It should be durable, resist slipping when wet and be easy to clean. Concrete and vinyl are hardy but tend to be slippery if not textured. Wood has obvious problems with constant moisture. Look into what is available in textured rubber, ceramic or unpolished tile. Whatever the decision, get two doormats a heavy-duty one outside made of bristle or rubber to scrape off mud and snow and another lighter-duty one inside to absorb moisture.
- Now, a place to sit. A comfortable and convenient bench to sit on while removing shoes is important. It can fit with the decor of a formal entryway or informal back door. One with a hinged top and storage inside can help with clutter, too.
 Even a narrow entry can be converted into a mudroom with pegs for coats and a bench for sitting and stowing. This mudroom is attached to a laundry for added convenience.
- All-important storage! Some serious planning for what is needed will make the mudroom especially useful. Coat hooks or Shaker-style wooden pegs (at kid-friendly height, if applicable) are a great start. Space them so wet clothes can dry evenly and quickly. Bins or cubbies can be a good place for books or backpacks, keeping them clean and dry. Add one for dry towels! Bins for sports equipment can keep clutter confined and organized. A shelf that allows circulation through it may be a good place for wet gloves and hats. An out-of-the-way shelf for purses, briefcases, cell-phones or glasses can be added. A boot tray is handy to set boots and muddy shoes in to dry. A key rack keeps keys organized and accessible. Add a hook for the dog's leash, too.
A well-planned mudroom can be an invaluable asset to your home. With décor appropriate to its location in your home and equipped to be functional, it can help you organize, control clutter and keep mud out of your home. It can also keep you out of trouble.
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