We have been working on a lot of mudrooms lately. People are gearing up for the “Who tracked snow through the house?” season. Mudrooms bring order to the most used entry to your home. You can create a good mudroom even in tight spaces. A well-designed corner inside a doorway will work just as well as an entire room dedicated to entering the home.
The location, size and function of your mudroom will help determine how it is finished. Perhaps you have a large family with lots of kids or maybe you own a home daycare and are focused on keeping tiny, wet, muddy boots and coats in an easily accessible and convenient location. Maybe you have teenagers or you are an adult only home concerned mostly with aesthetics and storage. Whatever your focus, there is a design solution for you. It is typical to find benches in larger mudrooms. Sometimes they are granite or laminate (depending on your budget) other times they have a cushion or cushions for comfort. High and low hooks allow easy access to adults and kids alike. If aesthetics is important to you, top-quality decorative hardware can add a touch of elegance without skimping on function.
No matter if your mudroom is dressed up or down, there are five elements common to every room. Here are some hints on how to bring order to your entryway.
Flooring
Mudroom floors take a beating on a daily basis. The floor should be a durable material and slip-resistant. Concrete, laminates and vinyl withstand wear and tear but tend to be slick when wet. Wood requires a lot of upkeep, especially in damp conditions. You may want to look at what's available in textured rubber, ceramic or unpolished stone tile. Choosing a dark colour for the floor will help camouflage dirt. Whatever the floor material, doormats can minimize the amount of dirt that gets tracked into the house.
If you are building a new home, you may want to consider installing a central drain so you can hose down the floor.
Walls
Wallcoverings can be anything from vinyl wallpaper for easy cleaning, a highly durable paint for easy repairs or wainscoting which also offers effective, good-looking protection. Ultimately all wallcoverings have pros and cons, it will truly come down to personal style in the end.
Seating
A comfortable, sturdy place to sit while pulling off shoes, boots or inline skates is important. Benches are the usual choice and are sturdier than chairs and stools. Seating should be located off the path that leads to the rest of the house and clear of the door swing area. Consider putting a hinged top on your bench or pull out baskets for more storage options.
Storage
Open cubbies, bins or baskets for books and backpacks are ideal storage solutions for mudrooms that are frequented by children. Colour-coding storage areas for each member of the family or daycare child will keep things in order. A high shelf that's out of a youngster's reach is perfect for things like purses, cel phones, keys and other adult necessities.
Remember to account for bulky winter gear when estimating wall space. Winter is bigger than summer when it comes to outdoor gear. Pegs and coat hooks are convenient in areas with limited floor space, but they aren't great for long-term storage since garments may stretch out of shape.
Designate a waterproof area for shoes and boots. You might want to consider pegs on the wall as a possible solution. They can be placed close enough to hold boots upside down while they dry.
Organizing Accessories
Specialized bins and hangers for sports gear collect oddly shaped equipment like racquets and mitts. Pet leashes can be strung from ordinary hooks, keeping them from tangling. A corkboard or chalkboards can help organize useful family information.
Why not opt for a key rack or a newspaper recycling center as an accessory? Really, it all depends on your lifestyle and why a mudroom is important to you and your family.
Good afternoon everybody,
This week's blog is going to be a link to a wonderful bog written by Closet Pages. I hope this blog will help inspire your own closet designs.
http://closetpages.com/closet-design/4-dreamy-custom-closet-systems
"This article was originally published on ClosetPages.com. You can find more articles in our closet organizers blog, browse local closet organizers, view our closet design photo gallery, learn about closet storage & subscribe to our monthly newsletter."
Our homes are becoming increasingly challenged as the struggle for space and functionality rages on. Modern homeowners are looking for new ways to do more with available space. The traditional wall bed has been vastly improved. With the introduction of the new hidden desk bed, homeowners are being offered a unique storage solution.
The hidden desk bed is able to convert from a desk to a horizontal wall bed in seconds- all of this with little effort and without adding or removing any items from the desk surface. The balancing mechanism provides a smooth, uninterrupted transition, allowing items on the desk to remain stationary while changing the unit from a desk to a bed.
Canadian statistics indicate that the average new home will decrease in size by ten percent over the next few years. Maximizing usable space and demanding smarter storage options are a must. The Hidden desk bed becomes the best solution by providing multiple functions without compromising on space or style.
Your home needs to meet all of your needs. For some people this means making a bedroom into a playroom or a study, a sewing room or a craft room. With the hidden desk bed you can have that specialty room without sacrificing the spare bedroom, the twice a year in-law suite or your children’s bedroom after they go off to university or college. You CAN have it all.
The desk bed can stand-alone, but adding shelves, bookcases, and storage cabinets can transform the space to an inviting room with ample storage.
The desk bed is offered in a wide range of styles and finishes providing deep color and a detailed wood grain look. With solid construction, precise engineering, and uncompromising materials, the desk bed is a high-quality solution for the organizational and aesthetic needs of Ottawa homeowners.
