DESIGN NOTES
A mudroom is a useful addition to the home since it stores everyday items like shoes and coats, but it may also serve other organizational purposes. Whether you are remodeling your current mudroom or adding one to your house, we have collected some of the more common questions and answered them in this blog.
Where are Mudrooms Located?
The purpose of the room frequently determines the location of any restoration or remodel. A mudroom is usually found near a door, such as in the foyer, laundry room, or even the garage. For families with school-aged children, it can be helpful to have the mudroom placed near an entry door as it offers out-of-sight storage for backpacks, shoes, and coats while still within easy reach. Areas like the garage let you shed soiled clothing or shoes before coming into the house. You can even opt to include a laundry hamper for easy collection. Pairing it with your laundry room works well if it is located near a garage or backdoor since you can also drop off dirty clothes right there or even wash up before going into areas like the kitchen or living room.
How to Make a Mudroom Wall
Sometimes there is not enough space to dedicate an entire room, but even a wall can be transformed into a functional mudroom imitation. Hooks provide a place to hang clothing, backpacks, hats, and a briefcase. Installing a simple bench will let you sit down to put on or take off your shoes, plus you can place decorative bins or baskets underneath for added storage. Designing custom cabinets can also increase your storage options along the wall and be used for a number of purposes, including sports gear and seasonal clothing.
Mudroom Design Tips
When building the ideal mudroom, the two most important factors are layout and function. By asking questions, you can think about the goal you want to achieve in this area. What kinds of things will be stored here? Is it in the main traffic flow of the home, such as the entryway? Will both adults and children need to use it? This helps guide the design process and dictate what elements are essential. Lower options for storage and even seating may need to be included when creating a usable space for younger children versus adults. When a mudroom is located in a visible part of the home, it is ideal to build it with closed-off components, such as cabinet doors. Don’t forget about adequate lighting, especially if the mudroom shares a space with the laundry room.
How to Design Mudroom Storage
The mudroom is ideal for storing kitchen waste, sports equipment, paper goods, cleaning supplies, and pet essentials. Cabinets, shelves, decorative bins, and baskets can help you maximize storage space while also allowing you to organize stuff by category. Custom cabinets or built-ins are an efficient use of space, as they are tailored to your exact needs. They can also be made floor-to-ceiling, allowing you to utilize your entire wall space.
Best Mudroom Floor
Flooring is an essential and practical element to consider when planning your mudroom renovation or addition. This flooring needs to be durable due to the high traffic and easy to maintain, as there will be a significant amount of dirt and water dragged in from the outdoors. Darker colors and patterns are a good choice for your flooring since they hide dirt better than their lighter counterparts. Tile is a prime candidate for mudroom flooring, but it’s a good idea to minimize the grout lines, perhaps with larger tiles, to reduce the number of dirt traps. Some have even chosen to use natural tile and recycle old bricks as a floor option, but again, keep in mind that the more texture you add, the greater the chance for dirt to accumulate in the cracks.
Mudroom Ideas for Small Spaces
Small spaces can be challenging, but not impossible. Take inventory of your usable space and then consider the essentials needed to accomplish the tasks in your mudroom. This does not mean you throw away your wishlist, but those items may need to be limited in quantity. As with all tight spaces, look for every square foot that can be utilized, such as wall space, corners, and floor space. Painting the walls is a great way to add color without detracting from the room’s size. Include furniture pieces with dual purposes, such as a bench with storage space inside. A skilled designer can help you maximize the potential of your small mudroom area.
Mudroom Ideas with Lockers
Incorporating lockers into your mudroom is an ideal solution for homes with multiple children since it allows them to have a space all their own. They can store their outerwear, electronic devices, and backpacks in their locker and know exactly where they are for the next school day. This will also speed up the morning routine as it cuts down on lost or misplaced items. Taller cabinets work best for this design, with varying depth and width. Including a charging station in each lets everyone plug in their devices when they get home so that they are ready for the next day.
Mudroom Design Inspiration
Although this is a functional component of the house, it doesn’t have to be boring. Because it takes up no space, wallpaper is a fun and quick way to add a small splash of color or a design element. Pattern flooring offers a practical purpose while also adding a touch of style. You can also provide some contrast with the color of the countertop and cabinets. Some people prefer a wood top because it adds warmth and a touch of farmhouse charm to the environment. Hanging a decorative light fixture in your mudroom is a great way to add visual appeal or a couple of touches. Places like Pinterest are ideal for gathering inspiration.
Mudroom vs Dropzone
These two words share many similarities that make them almost interchangeable. A mudroom is a dedicated space, usually located near an entrance, serving various purposes, while a drop zone is more focused on the specific needs of the family, acting as the central hub.
Walker Woodworking Too much clutter can detract from your home’s wellness and leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and even depressed if it sticks around long enough. It can also make it difficult to concentrate, which can affect the entire family. It’s important to set about decluttering in an eco-friendly way to ensure that you aren’t throwing out things that could be put to good use elsewhere. With so many landfills already overflowing, it’s imperative for us all to do our part and keep recycling.
Keep reading for some great tips from Greenbook Design on how to declutter your home in an eco-friendly way.
Greenbrook DesignWarmer weather is just around the corner, meaning we can finally spend more time outside doing what we love, like grilling, swimming, and sitting around fire pits. One thing that all of these have in common is that they can be done in your own backyard. Outdoor spaces are trending this year and for good reason, since they provide a change of scenery for homeowners without having to drive somewhere, plus they add more usable space to your home. Enjoy fresh air, cool summer nights, and time with family all within the safety of your own home. Here are a few reasons and benefits to adding or upgrading your outdoor space.
Greenbrook DesignColor. It is what gives our world variety and speaks a language all its own. It is a versatile element that is used in various professions such as art, entertainment, and even cooking. Interior designers thrive on color to express their client’s personality and tell their story. Color is also the common thread that ties other elements, like texture and pattern. Woven together, they create a sense of unity and influence the mood. It is fairly common knowledge that each color implies a mood, such as blue is calm, green represents growth, and yellow expresses happiness. The colors you select for your home can have an effect on the atmosphere, and more and more homeowners are looking to add a little comfort with color.
Walker WoodworkingThe kitchen sink is probably one of the most important elements in the kitchen, since it’s where we wash dishes, rinse food, and wash our hands. There are so many options, such as stainless steel, porcelain, and ceramic. Then, of course, there are multiple styles and sizes. At Greenbrook, we are always looking for new items that will meet a need for our clients, and sinks definitely are one of them, which is why we are an authorized dealer for the Karran Sinks.
Walker Woodworking Old meets new to create a blend of something beautiful, which is one way to summarize grand millennial style. While minimalism is still a popular trend, many millennials are finding comfort and freedom of expression from their beloved family heritage. Grand millennial is a combination of the new with things of the past, like that old wingback chair from grandma’s attic, and breathing new life into it through reupholstering it. This style also pairs perfectly with many people’s desire to recycle and reduce waste by repurposing existing materials. Let’s unpack this style a little more and find out if it is right for you.
Walker Woodworking