Help please with my MUDROOM

11 years ago

We are nearly finished building this room. When unloading the cabinets from truck, one finished side is scratched up really bad. It is laquered, so fixing it seems to be it's own new problem. I would like to skip the trouble and hide it. I thought of hanging a mirror, although it would be in a bit of an odd spot. (Would a mirror not make more sense by the door?). The other idea I had was to hang a very large (same size as cabinet) cork board and paint it to match cabinet. I can hang kids art from school etc. I'm nervous about making this space look cluttered as it's open to the living area. It does need some decorating and I need some help with where to out what.
Here are a couple of needs:
1. Hide the mess of the scuffed cabinet
2. Mail slots of some kind. We have a lot of mail and can never get a handle on the mess of it. Mail, flyers, etc...ugh! I wondered about hiding the mail in the tiny nook to the right of the double locker. You can't really see that space from any angle which is good.
3. Mirror
4. Art
5. Boot tray

I'll add some pics of some things I have laying around.
Thank you in advance for your thoughts!

Featured Answer

Claudia McClure

11 years ago

You have awesome storage already.
I would put back to back (vintage- the space needs something old) benches for putting on shoes, etc. in the center of the room with recycle baskets underneath. You can sit, sort mail before you come into the house.

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Comments (68)

zazfuzzroc
11 years ago
Halex, great idea upholstered piece in the middle! :) Great perspective. IMO :)
combine
Original Author
11 years ago
I have a table I can out in there in a few minutes to see what you think....
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combine
Original Author
11 years ago
Hmmm. This is too big.
combine
Original Author
11 years ago
Maybe round would work better.
Vintage...VJ Jazzy Jazz
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Toooo low ...toooo small..
Oh have just seen ...suggestion
Of padded seating ...so maybe
You need a low table ...
But not the one you have just put there
Although it looks like a nice table ...
I am sure you will find
Another space for it
zazfuzzroc
11 years ago
Yes, I know many in my house would hurt knocking into that. lol :) Color looks nice.
Vintage...VJ Jazzy Jazz
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
@ZAZ ...I think it's for adding cushions /cushion for seating while
Putting your boots on ......
Which was a fab idea from a Houzz commenter
Talking of which
You are getting some fab ideas for your kitchen...
zazfuzzroc
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
@Jazzy, yes, I know, and it was a great idea, I agree. I just meant maybe round or oval, if the poster didn't like that one. Awesome room. Yeah, I'm on idea overload, but I like it. Gets my juices flowing. Lol :)
Maureen
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Any size table may just end up being a catch all (would be in my house).
Vintage...VJ Jazzy Jazz
11 years ago
Yes... As already suggested it needs something...
In the middle of the fab mud room
combine
Original Author
11 years ago
Maureen: that's hilarious that you actually found mud rooms with milk cans. They are a great inspiration, thank you. I like the grayish one, but the greeny one is lovely too.
combine
Original Author
11 years ago
Halex. I really appreciate your thoughts and creative ideas. Thank you. I do not have anything left in the budget after having those lockers built, but I will definitely find something from somewhere else in the house to come close to what you were saying. Adding fabric to the cabinet and the piece in the middle, will definitely soften the space... For now a nice big rug or mat may help a bit?? Someone had commented here that a table might be a catch all. That's my biggest fear! I find every time there is a basket displayed or a surface available, it fills with JUNK. I'm trying really really hard to avoid that in my newer spaces.
zweiback
11 years ago
Unless I missed someone's comment above - my first thought was to ask if you aren't going to contact the people who made this piece for you and tell them to fix the damage - or at least give you something back on it for having to deal with the damage yourself?!? After that I like the suggestion from Halex Architecture - and the image of that cat being swung around :D - there IS a lot of room. Rather then a fixed island or table, maybe something on wheels that would offer a flat surface AND some storage below to keep things organized such as the samples I've attached. Or find something at a thrift store - a dresser, perhaps and add wheels to it.
Vintage...VJ Jazzy Jazz
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I think Combine ....
Has no budget left ?
And was looking for something
Toooo use
from around the house ...

Good suggestion zweiback ...
combine
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you. You're right. The budget is small, but Maureen, I did go out fabric shopping today for the board for the scratched cabinet. I am grateful for all suggestions as it gets me thinking about what to do down the road too. I don't really think I need more storage in there though. Just want to make it nice
Maureen
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
It's lovely already and you have great taste. Take your time and find the few decorative items that you really like - and it will all come together.
PRO
Interior Affairs -- Vickie Daeley
11 years ago
Mud Rooms can be so cute...I love the idea of a place for everyone in the family to put their things away before coming into the home...Bead Board with hooks...and storage and a place to sort through the mail and homework...love it!
combine
Original Author
11 years ago
What about this mirror if I put a wee shelf at bench seat height below it that is of the same colour wood??
zazfuzzroc
11 years ago
Nice, brings additional color and texture to the room. Very nice.
catlady999
11 years ago
Not fond of the mirror. The horizontal bars will have people either on tip-toe or scrunching down for an uninterrupted view. Also, it is too high for the shorter children. You need a seat for taking off and putting on shoes and boots more than a shelf.

But I love the mudroom/airlock concept. Keeps cold (or hot) air from the rest of the house.
zazfuzzroc
11 years ago
Oops, thought it was a small bench seat. lol :) Guess I read it quick. :)
lilyanddaisy
11 years ago
I actually think that table might look nice in there after you put a rug down. A large, flat rug is essential to bring this large rom together.

Look on Craig's list for vintage oriental /turkish area rug. I always see them. If you had budget I would say go on eBay or etsy for a turkish over dyed rug. They are modern and traditional at the same time. The turkish sellers are awesome and free shipping!

Also what I would love personally in a mud room of that size is a square tufted ottoman in the center. The tufts could discourage folks from laying down junk.

Good luck!
Carol Renz
11 years ago
Consider a piece of stainless steel cut to fit the cabinet side for a great magnetic display area.
rdb37
11 years ago
How about grass cloth or a neutral wallpaper for side of cabinet? Could line the drawers with it too.
Amy Zweber
11 years ago
I have two ideas that might work for you. How about a round or slightly oval low-maintenance ottoman. Something where your family won't stuff items under it, but that adds a bit of color and style to the room. You could make it yourself for a reasonable cost. Even starting from a table!
Also, I like the idea of a long mirror on the side of your cabinet, maybe framed by you with barn wood or distressed wood, continuing the mirror on the adjacent wall to give you a two-sided view. It's so nice to have a full-view once more before you're out the door!
bpcatskills
11 years ago
Chalk board paint -the side of the cabinet can become a message board.
mmlamb1209
11 years ago
On another note, I love your floor...what did you use?
Delora Dickey
11 years ago
Just an aside. You said, "Mail slots of some kind. We have a lot of mail and can never get a handle on the mess of it. Mail, flyers, etc...ugh!" Those slots that you propose would be great for mail that must be attended, but if the junk mail is not pre-sorted, it will still be a mess. We purchased a retro-style potato bin with a lift lid and a small drawer. We use this for our recycle bin! Sort the junk and drop it right in - don't handle it twice and you won't have to look at it in your slots.
Jill Pokryfke
11 years ago
I agree with some of the other suggestions. I would go with the framed fabric-covered corkboard to cover the damage and post notes, pictures, invitations, cards, etc. You can turn this area into a command center to help manage mail.

[houzz=
Mudroom Redesign · More Info
]

[houzz=
Kitchen {featured in KBMO} · More Info
]

[houzz=
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]

I like the idea of having a round table or ottoman in the center of the room. I do think you should go with round to ease traffic flow around the room. I would be less inclined to use a decorative table with a nice centerpiece as a pile/drop zone like these.

[houzz=
L. Cramer Builders + Remodelers · More Info
]

[houzz=
stately manor · More Info
]

[houzz=
Foyer · More Info
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Ottomans are a little more versatile, which can be used as a table or seating with extra storage (if desired).

[houzz=
Contemporary Family Room · More Info
]

[houzz=
Pacific Heights Transformations · More Info
]

[houzz=
Fair Winds Farm · More Info
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Whatever color/style you desire... if you DIY the ottoman, you can even match the fabric to the fabric covered memo board.

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/do-it-yourself/fabric-paper-projects/do-it-yourself-ottoman/

I do not care for the mirror you were holding up in the picture. I think the lines in it clash with the windows surrounding it.
combine
Original Author
11 years ago
Jillpy thanks for your suggestions and the visuals! Big help.
combine
Original Author
11 years ago
Ddelora. Thanks. You are right. Mail is my biggest dread!! I can never get a handle on it and I find it everywhere in the house! I really like your idea, thank you
combine
Original Author
11 years ago
I think you are all right about the mirror too. I'll find another place for it.
combine
Original Author
11 years ago
Something old would be great as it reflects the house more. (1876), I agree round would be nice for traffic flow. You can see there are two white doors. One is a closet and the other goes into my husbands entrance. That space is for storage and garbage. The far side of the mudroom, beside the 4 lockers, opens straight into the rest of the house....no door
Jill Pokryfke
11 years ago
Some mail sorting accessories
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/office/paperFileStorage/sortersTrays
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/office/paperFileStorage/periodicalStorage?N=74548

Depending on what papers you're trying to sort, these bins could help contain a lot.
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/trashRecycling/recycling?mr=recycling+bin&breadcrumbPageTitle=Search

I don't know if you have a container store near you, but at least you can get ideas of what kinds of mail management system you need/want.
koshki
11 years ago
How about an umbrella holder of some sort? I was thinking wrought iron, but I'm sure there are a lot to choose from.
lcurle
11 years ago
I would make a fabric covered message board to cover the entire side of the damaged cabinet. To the right of the door maybe a small table with a lamp and a container for holding keys. Hang a mirror above the table. Float a bench in the center of the room with baskets underneath for shoes. For a fabric choice maybe a natural linen with a thin red stripe or mattress ticking in red or black. You could use that on the message board and for a bench cushion. Maybe be a little bolder and use a fairly large indoor/outdoor rug in a large floral in multi colors on a dark background. What a wonderful room...you have great basics and can go in numerous directions with such a classic beginning.
PRO
Staged for Perfection
11 years ago
Don't get your room cluttered. I was thinking, if anything you should get a bench. I am not opposed to a lov oh open space either!
PRO
Kent Halex Architecture
11 years ago
Sounds like there's a lot of support for the upholstered ottoman idea. That may be a collective reaction to the room needing something to warm it up. It feels a bit sterile without softer surfaces and character items in it yet. I'd be all for a rug -one that can survive the odd pair of wet or dirty shoes, and something upholstered or even antiqued in the middle of the room.. I like the idea of having a rich wood finished piece somewhere in there -maybe even complemented by a nicely framed mirror (albeit without horizontal muntins). The table was nice wood but just looked like a coffee table in the middle of a mud room. I originally thought an antique wood bench with cushions on the seat with a wood shelf behind it. Lighting always makes a big difference too, a bare bulb in the middle of the ceiling makes me think of the possibilities...
combine
Original Author
11 years ago
mmlamb1209 The floor is just poured concrete. We sealed it with a clear sealer so it's easy to clean until we can afford to do something with it. It's heated (in floor heat) so may just leave it and get a big mat. Can't seem to find a large mat without buying a "rug". Anyone know where I can find a large mat?
combine
Original Author
11 years ago
Excellent idea here and I am grateful, thanks so much!!!!
Jill Pokryfke
11 years ago
combine, how big of a mat are you looking for? Is it for in front of the entry door?

http://www.frontgate.com looks like they have a nice selection
clairefromthecolonies
11 years ago
A seat of some sort for sitting down and lacing shoes and pulling boots on and off is a great idea. When budget is a concern, think of Overstock.com or Wayfair.com - also a great resource for rugs and mats. Make sure to read the reviews before ordering, and check measurements though! Lovely mud room :)
bethschindler
11 years ago
I may be seeing this incorrectly, but it looks as though the access door will hit the beautiful locker when it is "thrown open" by precious children:)
combine
Original Author
11 years ago
You are seeing it correctly, but we put a stopper on the door so no matter how hard it's flung, it does not hit. These lockers were supposed to go a little to the left, but could not. They are here to stay now.
combine
Original Author
10 years ago
Well we haven't done much but I did mange to paint the milk can. I used Annie Sloan chalk paint. Red with dark wax. I also bought a cheap (Walmart) canvas to hang on the wall. We covered some cork board with fabric and saved enough fabric for a bench seat when we find one cheap enough. Slow but sure!
PRO
Interior Affairs -- Vickie Daeley
10 years ago
I love the potential this Mud Room has. It is nice a big and could be a great little greeting place to come home. I like the bead board idea. and even if it was painted a color might even work out best as this would look like you are not trying to match it up as much as dress it up.
Stacy Oakey
10 years ago
in addition to chalkboard paint you could do whiteboard paint for a lighter, somewhat better match to the current finish.
combine
Original Author
10 years ago
Vickey...I don't recall a suggestion of bead board....were you suggesting we add it to the walls? And Stacy...were you suggesting I repaint the milk can in cream rather than the red I painted it in? Just wanting to clarify. Also...I used chalk paint, not chalkboard paint. Thanks for your input ...I want to be sure I'm hearing you correctly.
combine
Original Author
10 years ago
Sorry Vickie ...I re read the tread and did see your comment about bead board. For now, I'd like to look for a bench and then ask houzz if I should hang that canvas picture now or not.