7 Hardworking and Welcoming New Mudrooms
See how durable materials, smart storage solutions and other features can create a functional and stylish entry
With school back in session and fall weather arriving soon, this is an ideal time to consider the appeal of a mudroom. These entry spaces help corral backpacks, boots, sports gear, coats and other items you don’t want making their way deep inside your home. And while there are many ways to create a mudroom, the most effective spaces typically feature durable materials, specialized storage, a spot for sitting and taking off shoes and, of course, a style that helps set the tone for the rest of your interior spaces. Here, seven design professionals share details on how they approached creating a stylish and functional mudroom.
2. Going Dutch
Designer: René Chambers of Chambers Interior Design
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters); 8 by 15 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Our client always wanted to have a Dutch door, so I was inspired to make it happen for them,” designer René Chambers says.
Main feature. “The Dutch door was super important, but also the porcelain tile floor,” Chambers says. “It looks like brick to add texture and interest but is more durable because it’s far less porous and brittle than rock or terra cotta. It’s a superior surface that won’t crumble or stain.”
Other special features. The cabinets, door, moldings and walls are painted Simply White by Benjamin Moore. “We wanted a clean, uninterrupted look, so we chose to do all the surfaces the same,” Chambers says.
An outdoor hanging light adds a rustic element.
Light fixture: Portsmouth hanging lantern, Maxim Lighting International; floor tile: Bricklane, Marca Corona
Shop for storage products on Houzz
Designer: René Chambers of Chambers Interior Design
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters); 8 by 15 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Our client always wanted to have a Dutch door, so I was inspired to make it happen for them,” designer René Chambers says.
Main feature. “The Dutch door was super important, but also the porcelain tile floor,” Chambers says. “It looks like brick to add texture and interest but is more durable because it’s far less porous and brittle than rock or terra cotta. It’s a superior surface that won’t crumble or stain.”
Other special features. The cabinets, door, moldings and walls are painted Simply White by Benjamin Moore. “We wanted a clean, uninterrupted look, so we chose to do all the surfaces the same,” Chambers says.
An outdoor hanging light adds a rustic element.
Light fixture: Portsmouth hanging lantern, Maxim Lighting International; floor tile: Bricklane, Marca Corona
Shop for storage products on Houzz
3. Sage Advice
Designer: Casey Bues and John P. Wolstenholme of Wolstenholme Associates
Location: Newtown, Pennsylvania
Size: 76½ square feet (7 square meters); 8½ by 9 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The main entry into the home was a lengthy walk from the driveway and parking area and also entered into a main foyer with no touchdown space for them and their children to place coats, backpacks, shoes,” designer Casey Bues says. “By converting a spare bedroom into a new, larger laundry room on the second floor, we were able to use the previous laundry space for a mudroom. We converted an existing window to an entry door to be in closer proximity to the parking area.”
Main feature. Dark sage green cabinets with various storage strategies, including open locker-style units.
Other special features. Walnut bench and door. Slate-look tile flooring.
Designer tip. “We recommend utilizing existing features to your advantage as much as possible to be cognizant of budget and therefore have the ability to allocate funds to your wants instead of just your needs,” Bues says. “ In this example, we were able to slightly alter the existing openings and renovate within the existing footprint of the room.”
Cabinets: Kitchens by Charles Weiler; builder: Worthington & Shagen Custom Builder
20 Stylish and Functional Mudrooms
Designer: Casey Bues and John P. Wolstenholme of Wolstenholme Associates
Location: Newtown, Pennsylvania
Size: 76½ square feet (7 square meters); 8½ by 9 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The main entry into the home was a lengthy walk from the driveway and parking area and also entered into a main foyer with no touchdown space for them and their children to place coats, backpacks, shoes,” designer Casey Bues says. “By converting a spare bedroom into a new, larger laundry room on the second floor, we were able to use the previous laundry space for a mudroom. We converted an existing window to an entry door to be in closer proximity to the parking area.”
Main feature. Dark sage green cabinets with various storage strategies, including open locker-style units.
Other special features. Walnut bench and door. Slate-look tile flooring.
Designer tip. “We recommend utilizing existing features to your advantage as much as possible to be cognizant of budget and therefore have the ability to allocate funds to your wants instead of just your needs,” Bues says. “ In this example, we were able to slightly alter the existing openings and renovate within the existing footprint of the room.”
Cabinets: Kitchens by Charles Weiler; builder: Worthington & Shagen Custom Builder
20 Stylish and Functional Mudrooms
4. Compact Catchall
Designer: Mary Adams of Kitchen Cove Design Studio
Location: Yarmouth, Maine
Size: 106 square feet (9.9 square meters); 8½ by 12½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “The space started with just an entry from the garage and led into the kitchen,” says designer Mary Adams, who used Houzz ideabooks to collaborate with her clients on design ideas. “There is a small half bath off this room and there was a large double closet. But otherwise there was not much usable space. We added a door to the backyard and open storage to accommodate the needs of this professional couple with two young children.”
Main feature. Open storage offers a place for wet boots, coats and other items. “We combined two different lines of cabinetry to accomplish this look,” Adams says. “We used Cabico Cabinetry for the painted pieces in their color Hollow White and Crystal Cabinets for the wood bench top, which is walnut with their Breezewood stain.”
Other special features. Slate tile flooring. Vintage rug.
“Uh-oh” moment. “A few pieces arrived damaged and ultimately put a halt to the installation process,” Adams says. “But we ordered replacements and pushed forward as a team and got the job done. It’s always important to communicate clearly with our installers and work together throughout the installation process to solve problems when they arise.”
Designer: Mary Adams of Kitchen Cove Design Studio
Location: Yarmouth, Maine
Size: 106 square feet (9.9 square meters); 8½ by 12½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “The space started with just an entry from the garage and led into the kitchen,” says designer Mary Adams, who used Houzz ideabooks to collaborate with her clients on design ideas. “There is a small half bath off this room and there was a large double closet. But otherwise there was not much usable space. We added a door to the backyard and open storage to accommodate the needs of this professional couple with two young children.”
Main feature. Open storage offers a place for wet boots, coats and other items. “We combined two different lines of cabinetry to accomplish this look,” Adams says. “We used Cabico Cabinetry for the painted pieces in their color Hollow White and Crystal Cabinets for the wood bench top, which is walnut with their Breezewood stain.”
Other special features. Slate tile flooring. Vintage rug.
“Uh-oh” moment. “A few pieces arrived damaged and ultimately put a halt to the installation process,” Adams says. “But we ordered replacements and pushed forward as a team and got the job done. It’s always important to communicate clearly with our installers and work together throughout the installation process to solve problems when they arise.”
5. Into the Woods
Designer: Talli Roberts of Allard + Roberts Interior Design
Builder: Build
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Size: 178 square feet (17 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This busy family of four with two dogs needed an entry from their garage that would serve multiple purposes,” designer Talli Roberts says. “This included laundry space; a built-in with a bench for storage of shoes, hats, coats, gloves and backpacks; and a sink area for washing clothes, pet dishes and caring for houseplants. But because it’s off the butler’s pantry near the kitchen and powder bath, the finishes had to be just as intentional and high-quality as those adjacent spaces.”
Main feature. “The whole home is an organic modern aesthetic, including this mudroom and laundry room, which is an exercise in contrast,” Roberts says. “The windows, countertops, plastered ceiling and walls are a charcoal tone, while the woodwork is a light natural oak. The herringbone-set tiles are long and linear, with a limestone pattern that helps to hide daily soil that happens in a mudroom, but also with enough grip to avoid slips or falls on wet floors.”
Designer tip. “The built-in bench seat area is perfect for containing all the items a busy family has but needs to keep organized and out of the main living areas,” Roberts says. “It’s also done beautifully in meticulously designed and well-crafted oak cabinets with a custom upholstered bench seat cushion.”
Flooring: Beach House Stone in ivory, Artistic Tile; cabinets: Henrybuilt; project photography: Inspiro 8 Studios
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Designer: Talli Roberts of Allard + Roberts Interior Design
Builder: Build
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Size: 178 square feet (17 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This busy family of four with two dogs needed an entry from their garage that would serve multiple purposes,” designer Talli Roberts says. “This included laundry space; a built-in with a bench for storage of shoes, hats, coats, gloves and backpacks; and a sink area for washing clothes, pet dishes and caring for houseplants. But because it’s off the butler’s pantry near the kitchen and powder bath, the finishes had to be just as intentional and high-quality as those adjacent spaces.”
Main feature. “The whole home is an organic modern aesthetic, including this mudroom and laundry room, which is an exercise in contrast,” Roberts says. “The windows, countertops, plastered ceiling and walls are a charcoal tone, while the woodwork is a light natural oak. The herringbone-set tiles are long and linear, with a limestone pattern that helps to hide daily soil that happens in a mudroom, but also with enough grip to avoid slips or falls on wet floors.”
Designer tip. “The built-in bench seat area is perfect for containing all the items a busy family has but needs to keep organized and out of the main living areas,” Roberts says. “It’s also done beautifully in meticulously designed and well-crafted oak cabinets with a custom upholstered bench seat cushion.”
Flooring: Beach House Stone in ivory, Artistic Tile; cabinets: Henrybuilt; project photography: Inspiro 8 Studios
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
6. Opening Statement
Designers: Kyle Baptiste (project lead), Phoebe DeFries (interior architect) and Ron Vukicevich (master carpenter) of Next Level Remodeling
Location: Haddonfield, New Jersey
Size: 80 square feet (7.4 square meters); 8 by 10 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner requested a functional space for their young family that would provide ample storage while remaining visibly pleasing,” project lead Kyle Baptiste says. “The existing space had two deep closets flanking the window that felt heavy and forced. We believed that removing the closets and creating a built-in that utilized both wall spaces and ceiling height would allow for a much better use of the space.”
Main feature. “The built-in with its L-shaped design and well-balanced geometry draws you in and clearly defines the intention for the space,” Baptiste says. “Being that this is an open mudroom to other areas on the main floor, the unit had to be both a standalone conversation piece and complementary to elements close in proximity. The multiple cubbies can remain bare or baskets and bins may be introduced as an alternative.”
The built-in and walls are painted Snowfall White by Benjamin Moore.
Other special features. “One of the most unique and visibly pleasing features is the chevron-style wood bench top fabricated in-house,” Baptiste says. “It’s always nice to have a visual break when dealing with mostly squared-off lines. The built-in was fabricated with poplar wood and sprayed by a professional trade partner.” The flooring is wide-plank engineered white oak.
Designer tip. “Take the time to survey the space and draw up a few options for yourself to analyze the best use for a room,” Baptiste says. “When dealing with spaces that require balance, a properly executed plan is critical in not only how it will look but also how it will be used.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The greatest design challenge was laying out the spacing of the different cubbies for the built-in,” Baptiste says. “The dimensions were critical, as each segment was intended to serve a function. Our carpenter drew on the wall first to allow for any adjustments prior to fabrication.”
Wallpaper: Diamond Weave Flowering Dogwood, Phillip Jeffries; chandelier: Axel, Shades of Light
Designers: Kyle Baptiste (project lead), Phoebe DeFries (interior architect) and Ron Vukicevich (master carpenter) of Next Level Remodeling
Location: Haddonfield, New Jersey
Size: 80 square feet (7.4 square meters); 8 by 10 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner requested a functional space for their young family that would provide ample storage while remaining visibly pleasing,” project lead Kyle Baptiste says. “The existing space had two deep closets flanking the window that felt heavy and forced. We believed that removing the closets and creating a built-in that utilized both wall spaces and ceiling height would allow for a much better use of the space.”
Main feature. “The built-in with its L-shaped design and well-balanced geometry draws you in and clearly defines the intention for the space,” Baptiste says. “Being that this is an open mudroom to other areas on the main floor, the unit had to be both a standalone conversation piece and complementary to elements close in proximity. The multiple cubbies can remain bare or baskets and bins may be introduced as an alternative.”
The built-in and walls are painted Snowfall White by Benjamin Moore.
Other special features. “One of the most unique and visibly pleasing features is the chevron-style wood bench top fabricated in-house,” Baptiste says. “It’s always nice to have a visual break when dealing with mostly squared-off lines. The built-in was fabricated with poplar wood and sprayed by a professional trade partner.” The flooring is wide-plank engineered white oak.
Designer tip. “Take the time to survey the space and draw up a few options for yourself to analyze the best use for a room,” Baptiste says. “When dealing with spaces that require balance, a properly executed plan is critical in not only how it will look but also how it will be used.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The greatest design challenge was laying out the spacing of the different cubbies for the built-in,” Baptiste says. “The dimensions were critical, as each segment was intended to serve a function. Our carpenter drew on the wall first to allow for any adjustments prior to fabrication.”
Wallpaper: Diamond Weave Flowering Dogwood, Phillip Jeffries; chandelier: Axel, Shades of Light
7. Olive Green Greeting
Designers: Sam Kachmar Architects and Katie Frazier Interiors
General contractor: Stack + Co.
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Size: 114 square feet (11 square meters); 6 by 19 feet
Homeowners’ request. “With two small children, the addition of this mudroom with tons of storage for coats, shoes, strollers and kids’ bikes was crucial,” architect Sam Kachmar says.
Main feature. “The most significant design detail in this space is the custom cabinetry,” Kachmar says. “The cabinetry was designed and painted to blend in with the walls on either end of this room because we wanted the connection between indoor and outdoor to be as seamless as possible. The lockers and bench are mirrored on each side of the space and provide room for shoes under the cabinetry, which extends all the way to the ceiling.”
The olive green cabinet, wall, ceiling and trim color is Desert Twilight by Benjamin Moore. “Opting for a singular paint color and sheen keeps things cohesive and calming while adding a little bit of drama to this functional space,” Kachmar says.
Other special features. Gray-and-white patterned cement tile flooring. White oak bench tops.
Flooring: Marta in white and gray, 8 by 8 inches, LiLi Cement Tiles
More on Houzz
How to Design a Marvelous Mudroom
Mudrooms That Really Clean Up
Find an architect to help with your project
Shop for storage products
Designers: Sam Kachmar Architects and Katie Frazier Interiors
General contractor: Stack + Co.
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Size: 114 square feet (11 square meters); 6 by 19 feet
Homeowners’ request. “With two small children, the addition of this mudroom with tons of storage for coats, shoes, strollers and kids’ bikes was crucial,” architect Sam Kachmar says.
Main feature. “The most significant design detail in this space is the custom cabinetry,” Kachmar says. “The cabinetry was designed and painted to blend in with the walls on either end of this room because we wanted the connection between indoor and outdoor to be as seamless as possible. The lockers and bench are mirrored on each side of the space and provide room for shoes under the cabinetry, which extends all the way to the ceiling.”
The olive green cabinet, wall, ceiling and trim color is Desert Twilight by Benjamin Moore. “Opting for a singular paint color and sheen keeps things cohesive and calming while adding a little bit of drama to this functional space,” Kachmar says.
Other special features. Gray-and-white patterned cement tile flooring. White oak bench tops.
Flooring: Marta in white and gray, 8 by 8 inches, LiLi Cement Tiles
More on Houzz
How to Design a Marvelous Mudroom
Mudrooms That Really Clean Up
Find an architect to help with your project
Shop for storage products
Designer: Laura Medicus Interiors
Location: Greenwood Village, Colorado
Size: 40 square feet (3.7 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “They are an active family of five with two dogs,” designer Laura Medicus says. “They wanted a space that could get a lot of use, a place to sit and put on and take off shoes, and have a little bit of light storage for the dogs and other odds and ends. We also have a coat closet in this area [not pictured] for hanging cold-weather gear.”
Main feature. “I think the painted Douglas fir tongue-and-groove walls help make this room unique,” Medicus says. “The tongue and groove will hold up a little better than drywall and it adds character to a very simple space.”
Other special features. Locally made quarter-inch brick flooring adds color and texture. The walls are painted White Dove by Benjamin Moore. The cabinet is a warm taupe color. The bench and countertop are white oak.
Designer tip. “I love using brick in mudroom spaces,” Medicus says. “It’s a classic material that really can take a beating. In snowy climates, it’s great to have a place where you can take your shoes off indoors and not stress about messing up the floors.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When we first opened the box and looked at the wall lights, they looked really small,” Medicus says. “We put them up, still a little uncertain about if we could keep them, and they look great in the space.”
Cabinets: Woodharbor, Sander & Sons
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