After decluttering and organizing my mudroom, what are my storage options? People often ask, as they are decluttering and organizing their homes, what the best storage solution is for their needs. There is no simple answer to this question. In fact, storage is best determined by space, and there are many choices from which to pick. Below are several ideas that help you get thinking about storage options in the mudroom.

Storage Options:

Shelves and Cubbies

In areas like the mudroom, think about your storage options. For example, when do you most often use the mudroom? If you are like some families, the mudroom serves as a catch-all as children and teens move in and out of the home. Does the mudroom reside right outside the garage, where everything is “dumped” once the school day is over? If so, cubbies are perfect for things like shoes.  

Open shelving is great for holding baskets for items such as hats, gloves, water bottles, and other things to which you and your children need easy access. It also takes things out of the kitchen where there is more activity, and places them at an arm’s length from the door. Keep shoes at foot level to easily slip in and out of them, and baskets at eye level so that dirty shoes stay on the floor. Low baskets are the exception to this. At one client’s home, she stores all her children’s shoes in low baskets so she can easily find them when her children want to run outside.

Benches

Of all other items, a bench is a must in a mudroom. Try to cover it in a material that will not show dirt and can be wiped clean after muddy shoes or sand from the outside make their way indoors. A bench gives you a place to sit and put your bags while putting on shoes. An even better idea is a storage bench. A storage bench is a great idea, especially if your mudroom is small and compact. The bench then serves a dual purpose without taking up more space than necessary. If your bench doesn’t have storage, try to put a few baskets underneath it. You can see an example of this in our photo gallery of areas we have organized to provide function and storage space in a small mudroom. 

Hanging Storage

Hanging storage, such as baskets on hooks, are a great way to keep things both off the ground and stored out of site. Hooks are great for hanging jackets, backpacks, and umbrellas. Choose hooks that are sturdy and fit the purpose of your mudroom, and little things like keys and purses. Install hooks and hanging baskets to serve as catchall storage so you can find and reach into them with ease when you need them.

A mudroom is designed to make your life easier. By choosing the right storage options, you will make this area of your home a huge success. Now, let’s talk about the best mudroom materials to use. 

Materials That Work Best in a Mudroom

Since the word “mud” is in this room’s name, remember that kids and teens will track in a lot of dirt from the outside into this catch-all space. Choose materials that can stand up to dirt, grime, and sand by considering how your lifestyle will affect this common area.

Steel

Some of our clients prefer an industrial look. For this reason, they choose steel lockers or shelving. Steel can withstand just about anything a family throws at it, including moisture and mud. It rarely rusts and is easy to wipe steel down with a surface cleaner to make it look brand new.

Bamboo

For a mudroom that looks cozy, natural, and warm, consider using bamboo. This budget-friendly choice of material can be used in cabinetry, benches, hooks, baskets, and just about anywhere inside the mudroom. Bamboo is also porous, and soaks in water and dries naturally. You won’t be bombarded by puddles of rainwater or slip in the area when you choose bamboo for your mudroom.

Washable Textiles

When choosing a rug or textiles, think about wear and tear in the area. A perfect choice for this area is a cloth, canvas, or rug material that can be washed. Ruggable, for example, is a great idea because these rugs can be tossed into the washing machine on a regular basis. They hold up to repeated washings and the color palette choice of these rugs makes them a great option. Shoes make these textiles dirty over time, and other odds and ends will most likely find their way to textile items. It’s very convenient to throw them into the wash as needed.

Matte Finishes

If you decide to use wood in your mudroom, a great option is to paint and seal it, since wood can rot when exposed to the elements. A coat of matte paint, for example, can protect wood and offers camouflage for dirt. A glossy finish, on the other hand, can highlight dirty areas and make you feel the need to clean the mudroom more often. Since the mudroom is an area that you will repeatedly visit, dirt will make you more stressed than you need to be.

Does a house need a mudroom?

In our professional opinion, a mudroom is a great option for homeowners, since it takes the stress out of knowing where to put overflow, children and teen clutter that repeatedly comes into the house, and dirty shoes. It keeps the rest of the house in better condition and the mess away from the main interior of the home. The purpose of the mudroom, as its name suggests, is to contain mud. In the literal sense, mud will end up there. But so, too, will backpacks and clutter from all over the house. This is a good place to contain it. It will also keep things out of the entry way. A cluttered mudroom, though, does need to be kept up because things can get lost to too many baskets and lockers. Try to weed through things on a weekly basis so you know what’s in there. Once you establish a good system, keep it tidy for a fully functioning space.