Something about the arrival of longer days and warmer weather inspires a new energy in all of us and makes this season an ideal time for home improvement projects. April showers bring May flowers, but not before they bring mud or sand that will inevitably make its way onto feet and paws, and eventually onto your clean floors. To avoid spending these warmer months continuously cleaning up all the debris from the beach or the garden that inevitably finds its way inside, enlist in the help of a humble space, often overlooked but indispensable — the mudroom.
Decades ago, Americans living in cold, wet regions began building houses that included mudrooms where they could clean up before coming inside. Today, these rooms can be found in houses all over the country (Because who doesn’t need a space to shake off the dust?), and they can be customized in countless ways to meet the needs of any family. A mudroom is true to its title, an area designated for removing wet coats, soggy clothes and muddy shoes, helping to keep dirt and other elements out of the rest of the house. It is not a grand entryway to impress guests, but rather a utilitarian area for the family to remove outerwear and wash up before coming inside. It has other aliases like laundry room and utility room. Depending on the layout of your home, the area designated as the mudroom can also double as the laundry room. What better way to avoid tracking dirt through your home than having the washing machine right by the door! By any name, mudroom or laundry room, this practical space is the engine of the well-oiled machine that runs an organized home, and with a bit of creativity it can be one of the most functional and charming. Keep in mind that there is one major factor that separates the cluttered entryway from the functional utility room — organization.
When designing your ideal mudroom, consider options that are useful without taking up precious space. Start with furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes, such as storage benches, built-in bins with baskets for laundry essentials, or cabinets with handy countertops for folding and sorting. Mudrooms are the landing spot for shoes, coats, backpacks and toys, so designated storage areas are the key to avoiding a mountain of discarded odds and ends. Don’t sacrifice any space — use the walls, use the floors, and if you can figure out a practical way to use the ceiling, do that too! Or maybe save the ceiling for creative light fixtures — like that cute vintage chandelier you’ve had your eye on. Consider creative cabinet space to store a fold-out ironing board, and of course the ever-so-helpful utility sink is always a handy bonus when tackling muddy clothes.
No one loves doing laundry, but you probably spend an average of eight hours per week doing just that, so you may as well make it a nice place to spend your time. Choose a bright color for the walls or accent the space with bold wallpaper. Even though this most likely is not the first area you show off when visitors come calling, do not overlook including personal touches like family photos and sentimental artwork. You will appreciate these features when you are dumping that third load of clothes into the washer.
Whether you choose cubbies, wall hooks or a simple coat rack, personalized spaces are a great way to motivate even your youngest family members to hang up their coats and stow away their shoes. Think chalkboard paint, decorative wall letters, or even photographs to personalize a space for every child in the house. For customized statement pieces, frame artwork created by your little ones. Use multi-purpose cabinet space to install a collapsible drying rack. Hang a decorative curtain rod above the washer and dryer. A pretty fabric valence can hide the plumbing, and when you slide it off to the side, you can use the rod to hang delicate unmentionables as needed.
Do you have a four-legged friend who is a chronic mud magnet? Do you have a house full of outdoorsmen who always seem to bring the elements inside, or children who carry around more accessories than an A-list celebrity, only to dump them at the door as soon as they arrive home? If your family includes a canine comrade, keep him in mind when planning your perfect mudroom. Hang leashes by the door for easy access and consider a dog shower if you have a furry friend who has a habit of rolling in the mud. This feature can also come in handy if you have family members who enjoy messy outdoor projects. A shower space can also double as a pet food station or even a landing spot for the litter box, with the added bonus of a wash-down site when inevitable spills occur. It can even house a cozy sleep spot for the family creatures.
Save a space for a convenient collection area for pocket junk. A quick internet search reveals endless options for gathering spare change and whatever else has been forgotten in the pockets of dirty clothes. Even if you choose a simple mason jar, having a designated space for these treasures cuts down on clutter and eliminates bickering over lost items and money. There is even an idea circulating its way around the internet, from mothers who collected everything that was left in their children’s pockets over the years and presented it to them on their wedding day. If you have that much organization and determination, your child will love receiving a sentimental gift of long forgotten trinkets along with a small fortune in forgotten dollar bills.
By any name, the mudroom, laundry room or utility room is a hardworking space, but there is no need to sacrifice style in this area of the house. It’s typically the first thing you see when you arrive home, making it a perfect place to show off your style. When brainstorming springtime home improvement projects, your first instinct may be to focus on areas where your family and guests gather to socialize. But consider this: What the utility room lacks in excitement, it more than makes up for in functionality. You can wine and dine all of your friends in the kitchen while dirty shoes and piles of laundry stay out of sight and out of mind. So this season when spring fever hits, take advantage of that extra creative energy and design a mudroom you will love for years to come. While the mudroom may never be the superstar of rooms, It plays an essential supporting role in the production of a clean, organized, and functional home.