4 Ways To Tidy Up Your Mudroom

​When you imagine your dream home, what would you put in it? For most people, they would add a beautiful, built-in mudroom. Picture this - a bench with storage, built-in cabinets with a row of hooks, and coordinated storage baskets.

Families dream of walking into the house, sitting on the bench to take off their shoes, and putting them away neatly in their own baskets. They gingerly hang up their coat and bag on their assigned hooks. They tuck away other items in the overhead cabinet.

And when it is time to leave for work the following day, they can easily find what they need from their locker. And of course, they expect their kids to follow suit and do the same. A well-organized mudroom would certainly be a dream come true!

Guess what? Ninety-nine times out of 100 these mudrooms become a catchall space and look like a hot mess! I worked on a project like this, and I found winter gear, summer pool toys, sports equipment, travel toys, flip-flops and winter boots, extra backpacks that were ready to be retired, and dog toys - not to mention 12-15 coats for a family of four!

Even in a well-designed mudroom, things get thrown in haphazardly for way too long. Our solution? Recently, we worked in a mudroom that needed an overhaul. We pulled everything out and filled up a trash bag, and two bags full of donations. Then we re-homed everything that should live in another room. Once we were finished, we had lots of space left over and it looked beautiful again! The client felt such a burden lifted!

So what do you do when your locker-style cabinets begin to look more like a locker room?

Having an organized and clutter-free mudroom is key for staying on top of the never-ending cycle of shoes, jackets, and gear that comes with having a busy family! Keeping your mudroom or entryway organized will help make it easier to get out the door in the morning and be ready for whatever comes next.

The key to a space like this is maintenance! I recommend checking in at least once a week to see what is piling up and taking care of it. It may only take 5 minutes but can make a big difference.

4 Tips For Mudroom Organization

1. Utilize Wall Storage Solutions

Use wall storage solutions like shelves and hooks to maximize space and keep your mudroom organized. Shelves are the right landing spot for hats, shoes, and umbrellas, while hooks are perfect for hanging coats (one per person!), sports gear, and backpacks.
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Maintenance tip: Is your space getting a little crowded? Take just a minute to put the extra coats, hats, and shoes in their home.

2. Use Baskets To Store Odds And Ends

Baskets are ideal for storing the miscellaneous things that tend to accumulate on the floor of your mudroom. Use smaller baskets for items like keys and sunglasses and larger ones for outdoor toys, gardening items, and the personal belongings of your fur baby. Place baskets on shelves or hang them from wall hooks to keep the items neatly tucked away but still easily accessible.

Maintenance tip: Are the baskets overflowing? Dump them all out! Toss the trash and rehome the little items that don't belong.

3. Install Shoe Racks Or A Shoe Bench

A common problem we see in mudrooms is that clients don't have a solution to store shoes in a way that doesn’t create a cluttered look. Install a shoe rack or bench to allow you to store and display them in an attractive manner while saving precious floor space at the same time.
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Maintenance tip: Be on the lookout for shoes that don't fit or aren't worn anymore. Take inventory and donate or discard shoes that are ready to be retired.

4. Use Labels And Containers For Organization

Labeling containers will help you (and your kids!) know what goes where when it's time to put them away at the end of the day—simply toss them into labeled containers instead of leaving them scattered all over every surface in sight! Consider labeling different containers by purpose (like "winter gear") or person (like "Susie’s School Things").

Maintenance tip: Make a labeling system that is easy to edit. You may need to change the labels often as your "seasons" change.
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Of course, if your task feels too big, please reach out for help! Our custom organization solutions can help you create the mudroom of your dreams. Our experienced team will come to your home and assess your space, and design a plan to perfectly arrange storage solutions to meet your needs. Contact us today!