looks great like you posted, get a seat cushion for the shelf and use it as a seat.

I'd find baskets for the cubbies... to hide the mess that is inevitable. looks great, add a mirror.

I would divide it so each person has two cubbies. Find three baskets that fit perfectly. Small things can go in baskets, and large things (like a helmet) can go in an open cubby.

Will everybody be able to reach them safely? You could put one more basket on the bench (or floor) for short people to put their everyday items in.

I think your picture isn’t realistic. Coat hooks are too close together.

I would do three large cubbies for each unit for more space. The cubbies themselves look fine but the space on the wall next to it needs something, like a full length mirror or large framed photo to add to the wall space, as it looks too open.

Can people reach those upper cubbies/bins? If not, I'd consider closed storage for infrequently used items vs. open.

You've not enough space . I would not build anything in that spot. I'd put hooks and buy a moveable bench.

What is BEHIND that wall of cubby you plan? The garage?

Tell us more about entries into your home, show more of your spaces.

That does not look good. Sorry.

Will there be children using the upper cubbies? If so, I doubt they will be able to reach them. So, would suggest that you rethink your cubbie configuration. Full fledged lockers with doors seem to work better for children.

To my point above. I understand the NEED.

However, this is clearly a front door entrance. There's a reason we often refer to this desired storage,as MUD cubbies. They are best in a high use, but secondary entrance.

I get that the entry may include the actual mud from the outside. But. these don't suit the available space. At a good proportion? They will crowd two doors- that's why we see no ordinary closet.

I'd love to see ,ore of the spaces, and look for better options, and again.....what is behind that wall?: )

That's not her mudroom just an example of what she might want. IMO closed storage is better

Show your OWN available space please?? Thank you!

Draw and add the actual inches of where yours is going.

When the bench and cubbies are smack against a side wall and especially door, I think the space is less usable versatile.
Hence why there are broader questions about your actual space and traffic floor rather than just cubby appearances.

Thank you all for your advice. This is the layout of the area. The door that you can see in the photo is actually not really used. Our house has two main doors - the other is on the other side of the bathroom and is the one we use for guests. We usually enter the house through the garage door which is across from where the cubbies will go, and this room acts as our mudroom/laundry room. Behind the cubbies will just be a wall, with the bathroom on the other side (there used to be a second bathroom door here but we are closing it off so that the bathroom no longer feels like a hallway).

Also, the pantry next to the cubbies doesn't actually have a door (like it does in the pic) - it is open

IMO those cubbies are too high for anyone other than 6' tall once the stuff gets thrown in there you will need a ladder to get .

Sorry, I would build in nothing. Unless........??

I have no idea where the kitchen is relatively in photo....but that "PANTRY" in your jpeg would become a walk in mud cubbied everything coats, hats , shoes boots. In one single heartbeat.

Find another spot for pantry: )

I detest entering past washers and dryers , but it is what is . At least you won't be tripping over shoes and laundry baskets........

whatever will be most functional for storage

So what will be stored here? How many adults, teens, younger kids. How many shoes per person? How many coats/jackets? How many backpacks, briefcases, etc. Are the people using the space the type to use baskets -- if not, don't force them.

If I had enough room, I'd have one long locker per person, as in MCMSeattle's picture. All things that don't fit here, have to have a home elsewhere, not simply strewed about the floor.

Your needs will be different if you have kids or not and their ages, or pets maybe. I'm posting a pic of the mudroom cubbies in our house to help avoid mistakes. What I've learned is, my hooks are too low, nobody actually sits on the bench to put shoes on/off. Maybe bc jackets and backpacks take up a lot of the cubby width, but also maybe bc 2/3 are kids and they just sit on the floor.

It would be nice to have a small basket or short shelf for the random items that everyone has- DH leaves things he wants to return or take to the garage sitting on his bench, the kids leave do-dads on their bench bc kids.

One decision I do love is the bottom drawers. Shoes go in there and I never see them. Maybe one day I'll add doors to cubbies to hide that mess also.

The high cabinets are barely useful. We put the dog treats up there but they are a pain to reach every day. Old towels, and some random items get stashed up there and forgotten.

I never had a mudroom or cubbies before these so I only had an idea of how it would be used. So, I guess my advice is, if you aren't sure how it will be used, maybe start with something that is not built in and see how it works. A bench with maybe baskets under it, a shelf with baskets on it, and some hooks below the shelf.

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So we have a small mud room and it’s 8 feet something wide. It’s hard to see on yours how big it is but I thought I saw a number 5 feet wise. I would see if you can change the swing of the door so it opens into the spot where the closed up bathroom door will be and then you can put a small amount of cubbies on same wall as the washer/dryer or even a closed cupboard here for shoes and storage and then hooks for coats and bags on other side.

I really appreciate all of these tips.

We have two kids (aged 10 and 11), and two adults. I had been thinking of adding in a fourth row of cubbies so that each person could have their own area. I know we probably won't be able to store everything I'd love to store there (eg backpacks, boots, etc), but any extra storage is better than none. You all are right that the top cubbies prob won't be as functional as I was hoping, but I still think it might work to have some current-season hats, gloves, etc in a bin in the lower cubby and then maybe put a door on the uppers and have the off-season accessories there....

I agree that something line and “ unfitted” system might work better. Many mud room designs are all about the visual, the photo with carefully staged items and very symmetrical design. Which is understandable because people want to turn chaos into a calm organized view.
The comment about whether a bench is even useful is helpful because by the time you hang parkas or backpacks either comfortable reach, they’d be in the way when sitting on the bench. Or if you’re planning to use it more as a shelf for some catch-all baskets, the tgst height has to be calculated also. So a simple smaller stool or straight back chair might serve the purpose and be flexible over time. Also agree that upper cubbies height is important. Extra storage space can be great if there’s a convenient unused spot where it can be built , but if it can’t be reached for everyday use, then it should be either omitted, delayed, or designed for something like seasonal or bulk items that would actually fit your needs & free up other prime storage space.

You can also have storage above your laundry. We have shelves and a rod for hanging.

I know we probably won't be able to store everything I'd love to store there

I only put our everyday items there and rotate it depending on the season. everything else goes in a closet nearby.

is that picture above your mudroom? add as much storage as you can, it looks like there's room for more. what you have now could easily be filled by just two people. or designate the area to the right for long coats and tall boots? I agree with PP that you need to think about the size of things that are being stored there.

yes! if you have room then definitely have a cubby for each person! We have 4 people and 2 dogs, with 3 cubbies. It is not ideal. Maybe I could have squeezed a 4th in there idk. I just don't get one! haha but I also keep all my shoes and jackets in my bedroom closet bc they are part of an outfit for me. DH wants a couple shoes and jackets to live by the front door so he can quickly grab them and go walk the dogs or whatever.

the upper cabinets could be for items you buy in bulk- tp, tissues, etc- so you don't need to get them often.

If that's where you come in/out to leave the house, I'd add a mirror somewhere too.