Small Mudroom Ideas Worth Stealing

When it comes to packing in lots of function, few spaces beat a mudroom, but many homeowners don't have a dedicated space at their entry or they think they lack the square footage to create a useful go-to spot for their families. Just a few design ideas and some maxed-out storage can help you carve out a super-functional small mudroom. Here's what to consider.

Small Mudroom Basics

No matter their size, mudrooms require several things for convenience and efficiency. They may include:

• A place to hang items: Think coats, backpacks, dog leashes, and scarves.
• A hiding spot: Lots of the detritus of daily life don't need a place in the spotlight. Gloves, hats, and small sporting items benefit from an out-of-the-way storage spot.
• Seating: What's the last thing you do before you leave? For most of us—especially little kids—it's put on our shoes. Having a spot to sit somewhere other than on the floor increases the comfort and use of a small mudroom.

This DIY mudroom built-in, created by Jessica of House Homemade, was made with a TV stand (as a bench) and two slim bookcases (as cubbies). Bins hide dirty shoes, and hooks hold backpacks and coats.

Small Mudroom Storage Solutions

Designing and outfitting a small mudroom means thinking outside of generally accepted uses for entry nooks and crannies. Once you start to evaluate what you have, you'll find much more usable space than you might have once considered. Implement these ideas, or use them as inspiration for your own solutions.

• The fronts and backs of doors: Solid doors offer plenty of vertical space for hooks, while doors with windows up top can be outfitted with hanging items on the bottom.
• Very narrow depth of walls: The inch-deep space of a wall isn't room enough for a shelf, but it is a perfect spot for a narrow magnetic board, calendar, or any command center ideas to keep your family organized.
• Window trim: Wide window surrounds are also perfect for hooks. Bonus: These lower-to-the-ground spaces are accessible for little ones to reach on their own.
• Above and around doors and windows: Narrow, sturdy shelves can be good spots for long-term storage of seasonal items like winter gloves and summertime hats.
• Multiuse items: Accessories that move or adapt are perfect partners for small mudrooms. Consider using a small bench on wheels with shelves underneath.
• Narrow cubbies and drawers: If you can, divide small-mudroom storage into smaller cubbies and drawers, and assign them to different people in your family. Take storage all the way down to the floor, too, to capture the usually ignored space under traditional cabinets.

Tips for Designing a Small Mudroom

Keep these tips in mind for a successfully designed small mudroom:

• Personalize it: Just because a space is small doesn't mean it should be boring. Inject color and pattern for a quick entryway pick-me-up that will boost the overall appeal of your home.
• Keep it durable: Choose materials that withstand daily traffic and dirt, and are easily cleaned—tile floors, for example, and outdoor fabric for a cushion.
• Pay attention to the details: Small space doesn't equal throwaway space. Pretty hardware, inventive paint, focal-point wallpaper, and interesting light fixtures are all options for decorating your small mudroom and tying the space to the rest of your home.