Sometimes, your house can feel like a perpetual clutter explosion. With sports equipment and dog leashes thrown on the ground mixed with random left tennis shoes, organizing your “drop everything” zone can be overwhelming. However, mudrooms do just that: they provide a “place to drop stuff, but that can be tidied up in two seconds,” according to professional organizer and owner of Organize by Suzan, Suzan Stacy.
A mudroom, typically, “can be [located] in a back room, the back side of a house, a room that isn’t just a hallway, or a laundry room,” explains Cris Sgrott-Wheedleton, owner of Organizing Maniacs. Nevertheless, Laine Hardman, owner of Tidy Up, explains a mudroom as simply “a way to transition from the outdoors to the indoors.”
Optimizing Your Space
The idea of a perfectly decorated mudroom can construe the reality of your space. However, “no one lives in a Pinterest moment,” says Stacy, so it’s important to “analyze before you purchase” and contemplate what decor would compliment the area, while still remaining function-able. Sgrott-Wheedleton believes that the two biggest mistakes you can make when organizing a mudroom is using things you already have and not using enough hooks. Don’t reuse old furniture that doesn’t fit the space; invest some money, and if you are on a tight budget, Sgrott-Wheedleton suggests heading to a thrift store or Ikea for good deals. Storing too many items in a mudroom is the biggest mistake people make in Hardman’s eyes, suggesting that people utilize closets or sheds to store less used, seasonal items.
Key Elements & Must-Haves
In terms of finding the ideal decor for any mudroom, it’s important to utilize the space as much as possible without making it feel cluttered. Stacy suggests square furniture and storage containers to ensure fit. Taking advantage of vertical space is important, says Hardman, urging clients to invest in shelving, wall decor that doubles as storage and skinnier furniture. Everyone agrees that benches with a storage compartment, different-sized baskets, shoe cubbies and hooks galore are key items that every mudroom needs to have.
