Baby, it's cold outside, which means your mudroom is now laden with coats and scarves and boots galore. If you aren't careful, you will be walking (okay, leaping) over a pile of all of these winter necessities before you know it. And this doesn't even consider those of you who have a mudroom/laundry room combo. Yikes! Quick, before it gets any worse, follow these tips to get your mudroom in working order.
Fill It Up
Take a look around your mudroom. Are there any empty walls? If so, you better make the most of them; ain't no room for wasted space here. One of the easiest options is installing some hooks on the walls to hang jackets and scarves on. After that's done, you should consider some simple shelves above them. Then you can choose decorative baskets for them to store the mittens, earmuffs, and whatever else doesn't have a home. Finally, to really capitalize on the space, place a bench under the hooks to provide both a place to sit while putting on shoes and a way to add more storage underneath it.
Keep It Simple
While you definitely want everything to have a designated space when it's not in use, make sure that nothing is too difficult to access. Why? Because when you are coming in from a long day at work you only have about an ounce of energy left to put your coat where it goes. If it's not an arms reach away, you know it will end up out of place. If you are using shelving with baskets to store your winter items, make sure you place the everyday items at eye level so they are the easiest to get in and out of. And, of course, if you have small kiddos running about, place a container just for them where they can put their stuff away all on their own (hey, you can dream!).
Designate a drop zone area for sunglasses, keys, mail and such. It's a consistent place to keep your grab and go items and certainly helps when arriving home when your hands are full.
Small items like hats, gloves and scarves can be easily stored in a container or basket.
If the containers are visible, consider choosing items that work with your decor. Also organize them by category and make those often used items easy to reach.
Medium-sized items like bags, boots and shoes need their own home and also should be easily accessible. Consider using shoe racks, boot trays or cubbies to keep shoes and boots organized near the floor and maybe under a bench. This also allows them to more easily dry out if you are coming in from the snow or rain. Heavy duty hooks can be used for bags and backpacks.
Bulky items such as snow gear and other sports equipment can take up lots of space in your mudroom if not stored properly. Taller cabinets or a closet space would be good for these bulky and sometimes larger items.
Make It Pretty
Just because it's called a mudroom, that doesn't mean it needs to look grungy. In fact, that's exactly the reason it shouldn't. Put a little extra effort into making the space a welcoming way to enter your home. You can do this by painting the walls a cheery color, or by using decorative baskets for storage. Once everything has a home, find ways to bring in more color with the use of captivating wall art and even fresh flowers, if you feel so inclined.