Today’s Mudroom
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.
