TEAM: Architect: LDa Architecture & Interiors Builder (Kitchen/ Mudroom Addition): Shanks Engineering & Construction Builder (Master Suite Addition): Hampden Design Photographer: Greg Premru

We expanded the mudroom 8' into the garage to reduce how crowded the space is when the whole family arrives home at once. 4 closed off locker spaces keep this room looking clean and organized. This room also functions as the laundry room with stacked washer and dryer to save space next to the white farmhouse apron sink with aberesque tile backsplash. At the end of the room we added a full height closet style cabinet for additional coats, boots and shoes. A light grey herringbone tile on the floor helps the whole room flow together. Walnut bench and accent shelf provide striking pops of bold color to the room.

We focused a lot on the cabinetry layout and design for this functional secondary laundry space to create a extremely useful mudroom for this family. Mudroom/Laundry Cabinetry: Cabico Elmwood Series, Fenwick door, Dove White paint Bench and countertop: Cabico Elmwood Series, Fenwick door, Alder in Gunstock Fudge Hardware: Emtek Old Town clean cabinet knobs, oil rubbed bronze Refrigerator hardware: Baldwin Severin Fayerman appliance pull in venetian bronze Refrigerator: Dacor 24" column, panel ready Washer/Dryer: Samsung in platinum with storage drawer pedestals Clothing hooks: Restoration Hardware Bistro in oil rubbed bronze Floor tile: Antique Floor Golden Sand Cleft quartzite (Wallpaper by others)

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath. Joe Nowak

The modern farmhouse mudroom combines functionality with charming design, featuring custom built-in lockers and ample storage solutions. Crafted from warm wood tones, the lockers offer individual organization with hooks, cubbies, and shelves perfect for shoes, backpacks, and outerwear. Open shelving above provides space for baskets or decorative accents, while a durable, easy-to-clean bench offers a convenient spot to sit while getting ready. The space is accented with farmhouse-inspired touches like beadboard paneling, vintage hardware, and soft lighting, creating a welcoming transition from outdoors to inside. Practical yet stylish, this mudroom keeps clutter at bay while adding rustic warmth to the home’s overall farmhouse aesthetic.

Custom built basement mudroom bench
Basement - basement idea in Boston

Mudroom photographed by jessica delaney Photography
Entryway - transitional entryway idea in Boston

Mudroom bench or secret hideout? Kim and Scott of Yellow Brick Home chose this fabulous black and white buffalo check fabric from Silver State Textiles for their custom Patio Lane mudroom bench cushion. Looks like the perfect chin scratching post to us! Photo credit: Kim Vargo, Yellow Brick Home

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Mudroom, complete with custom bench and shelving, as well as uniquely (diagonally) installed Saltillo tile.
Inspiration for a farmhouse terra-cotta tile and orange floor mudroom remodel in Detroit with white walls

mudroom storage and seating with entry to large walk-in storage closet
Mudroom - large cottage brick floor and multicolored floor mudroom idea in Philadelphia with white walls and a gray front door

Cottage medium tone wood floor and brown floor mudroom photo in San Francisco with white walls

Mudroom bench or secret hideout? Kim and Scott of Yellow Brick Home chose this fabulous black and white buffalo check fabric from Silver State Textiles for their custom Patio Lane mudroom bench cushion. Looks like the perfect chin scratching post to us! Photo credit: Kim Vargo, Yellow Brick Home

This very busy family of five needed a convenient place to drop coats, shoes and bookbags near the active side entrance of their home. Creating a mudroom space was an essential part of a larger renovation project we were hired to design which included a kitchen, family room, butler’s pantry, home office, laundry room, and powder room. These additional spaces, including the new mudroom, did not exist previously and were created from the home’s existing square footage. The location of the mudroom provides convenient access from the entry door and creates a roomy hallway that allows an easy transition between the family room and laundry room. This space also is used to access the back staircase leading to the second floor addition which includes a bedroom, full bath, and a second office. The color pallet features peaceful shades of blue-greys and neutrals accented with textural storage baskets. On one side of the hallway floor-to-ceiling cabinetry provides an abundance of vital closed storage, while the other side features a traditional mudroom design with coat hooks, open cubbies, shoe storage and a long bench. The cubbies above and below the bench were specifically designed to accommodate baskets to make storage accessible and tidy. The stained wood bench seat adds warmth and contrast to the blue-grey paint. The desk area at the end closest to the door provides a charging station for mobile devices and serves as a handy landing spot for mail and keys. The open area under the desktop is perfect for the dog bowls. Photo: Peter Krupenye

Built-ins fill the wall space not taken up by windows. Beadboard backs and a stained bench carry through the style of the main house.
Example of a mid-sized classic porcelain tile and multicolored floor mudroom design in Boston with gray walls

This mudroom had a typical closet that was removed to make way for full height cabinetry in black with a white oak frame around the coat hanging space. Drawers under the bench provided added space for shoes and accessories.

This project is in the final stages. The basement is finished with a den, bedroom, full bathroom and spacious laundry room. New living spaces have been created upstairs. The kitchen has come alive with white cabinets, new countertops, a farm sink and a brick backsplash. The mudroom was incorporated at the garage entrance with a storage bench and beadboard accents. Industrial and vintage lighting, a barn door, a mantle with restored wood and metal cabinet inlays all add to the charm of the farm house remodel. DREAM. BUILD. LIVE. www.smartconstructionhomes.com

Laundry room with island and Mudroom storage cabinets with pine bench.
Example of a large transitional porcelain tile home design design in Ottawa with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, gray walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Small cottage galley porcelain tile utility room photo in Calgary with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, beige walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer