Kitchen/"mudroom" Help please!!

12 years ago

I am looking for ideas for how to set up this pitiful "mudroom" my kitchen has. This is the door to the backyard and to the detached garage (in and out of it a million times a day) and the place where I toss my laptop, my purse, my kids backpacks and junk...and frankly, it drives me insane. The space isn't quite large enough to do what I want to do (e.g. wall it off and make an actual mudroom), and I can't figure out how to make it work. The first two pictures are of the house when we bought it (the ones off the sales website) and the 3rd is our "just moved in" look. I currently have a little beverage station/sideboard along the far wall from the door and the table seats 4 comfortably. There is a screen door that opens out and the main door opens inward.

Thoughts? Any additional information you need?

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Dytecture

12 years ago

Is it possible to move the door so it is aligned with the cabinets?

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Comments (13)

cblain
Original Author
12 years ago
As in, "have the door be on the same wall with the cabinets?" Not really...our driveway runs that length of the house...it would impinge on my backing out capabilities, which are sub-par to begin with. (and I doubt our evil HOA would allow it)
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vkilpatrick
12 years ago
Do you have to eat here or do you have a dining room also?
cblain thanked vkilpatrick
cblain
Original Author
12 years ago
We do not have to eat here, we DO have a separate dining room and barstools at the island. I considered closing off the breakfast area and doing a full mudroom, but those windows are our only real light into the kitchen and our backyard is lovely - I would hate to miss the view. What did you have in mind?
keestey
12 years ago
A quick fix would be decorative hooks over cubby's for shoes. A shelf over the hooks can hold decorative baskets. Ensure everyone has their own basket. You could also build in a bench seat overtop the cubby's. This will localize and control all the stuff, but it will be visible. Make sure your seat at the table is facing the other wall!
jeff1185
12 years ago
How about a low bench along the window to sit down while tying shoes, ect. Maybe a small "end table" at the end of the bench next to the door?
vkilpatrick
12 years ago
Get rid of the table. You could build a half wall across the floor so you could still see the window (leave a space to walk through of course). There would be lots of room for a bench against the half wall. Along the full wall maybe some hooks or an armoire for coats. A mudroom/drop zone is really great to have.
jeff1185
12 years ago
Here's a houzz ideabook that might provide some thoughts:

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/corral-your-gear-with-a-makeshift-mudroom-stsetivw-vs~738926

How about a bench-like cubbie with storage like in the first pic in this ideabook along the window? Maybe some hooks on the cabinet wall?
vkilpatrick
12 years ago
Maybe this bench and rack with hooks (could probably fit two of each) on the wall. And maybe a nice console table with drawers or cubbies for some division between the mudroom and kitchen.
http://m.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/series/12566/
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Deborah Roides Interior Design
12 years ago
[houzz=
Cottage · More Info
]
what about something like this? The other thing I noticed is your valance is very dark and heavy on the window. I would remove it, or shorten it.
cblain
Original Author
12 years ago
I've added some updated pictures. We've been there a year, and this is the best I've come up with. The space is a little too small for much of a "locker" type thing, although, that's the direction I'm leaning. And don't worry @Deborah, the valance came with the house and didn't survive the move. :) I've added two pictures of what it looks like now, which, frankly, isn't much better. I've got hooks on the wall for bags, dog leashes, etc...and a small end table (that looks awkward, but it's what we had) that ends up just collecting crap (which I hate). Regardless, this is what the space currently looks like...
cblain
Original Author
12 years ago
I've considered doing away with the table all together and just doing two arm chairs with some sore of cubby type thing, but then I wonder if we would USE the armchairs or if they would decorative. We DO actually use this table regularly and I figure my kid will do her homework there for a few years once she gets to that age.
nancyann0277a
12 years ago
Could you match your cupboards by attaching a large cupboard at the end, much like a pantry cupboard. This could house your coats, shoes, etc. out of sight and part of your beautiful cupboards.