10 Tips for Creating the Ultimate Mudroom
All hail the mudroom! It is arguably the place that helps you keep your home or cottage organized while protecting it from dirt and grime from the great outdoors. They can be a key space that makes your entire home more attractive and productive. When designed properly, mudrooms give you that user-friendly space for storage of items for outdoor wear and gear, hobbies, pets or sports.
For those reasons and more, mudrooms are useful in Muskoka homes and cottages. From keeping out snow and dirt to sand and allergens, mudrooms give you that transitional space as you move from the outdoors to the interior of your home.
But the trick is outfitting your space with the essential furniture and accessories for keeping things neat and tidy. Here are 10 things to consider when planning and creating your ultimate mudroom design:
Location, location, location
It's practical to consider the mudroom as a transition zone between a garage and the main house. With people frequently using their back entrances as their main entrance/exit, it's helpful to consider what areas guests will walk through before arriving at their destination.
Choose durable flooring
In the Muskokas, we have pretty much every type of weather. That means you will be tracking in dirt, sand, water, and snow, depending on the time of year. Your mudroom will need flooring material that is both durable and easy to clean. Natural materials like slate and stone can work well and bring in natural elements indoors.
Make room for laundry
Much of the time, the laundry is already located in the space that will become your new mudroom. If you’re going to keep the laundry machine and dryer in the mudroom, don’t forget about the rest of the laundry process. Make sure there’s a spot to store and easily access detergent, bleach, softener, and dryer sheets. Consider adding hooks to hold the ironing board and drying rack. Or even incorporate fold-down ones to save space.
Hidden organization
No more hunting around for items in the back of a dense shelf. A pretty space for hats, scarves and bags is made even more functional by a cabinet that slides out to reveal an organization system, like a kitchen pantry, complete with hooks and wire shelving for easy access to cleaning supplies and household tools.
Multipurpose bench
A bench is a must-have in your mudroom, not only as a place to sit down to pull off your boots and shoes, but also as a space for storage. Include pullout drawers for storage, which can hold bins or baskets for shoes or other necessities.
Equipment drop zone
Whether it’s your beach toys or cross country skis, the mudroom can create a transitional zone to trap the residuals of fun in the sun or snow. Create a special storage area for your different equipment to keep the area organized and clutter free.
Cabinets and drawers galore
If you have a smaller space to create your mudroom, incorporate ample drawers and storage to enable it to hold a lot of supplies.
Kid-Friendly Cubbies
If you have little ones or grandkids, make sure that you incorporate cubbies at a good height for them at any age.
Workaround windows
We love bright spaces, especially with the beautiful surroundings the Muskokas offer. Don’t skip large windows in the mudroom area. Instead, build your cabinetry around it.
Remember a space for pets
Many people choose to add custom areas in their mudroom for pets. The mudroom can be a great spot for a covert cat litter box. Alternatively, a pet shower to clean off muddy paws before they even get into the house is also a convenient innovation. Storage and a feeding area for these pets is another good use of space in a mudroom.
Creating a well-designed space that makes your home more user-friendly and efficient is always key to enjoying your home for years to come.
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