Mudrooms are a staple feature in most homes — an ideal spot to store necessities that you don’t want to keep in other parts of your house; a place to shake off waterproof jackets, remove muddy boots and dry off the dog after a bracing walk; and basically keep the outside from covering the rest of the home. We’ve rounded up the best mudroom ideas to transform your entryway!
If you desire a user-friendly and efficient space, a mudroom can be the key to an organized home. This mudroom is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, creating a charming and characterful interior! Our Arches Wooden Beige & Bardiglio Marble Tile beautifully complements the wooden storage cabinet and light fixture.
Remodeling this utility room into a space that’s organized, user-friendly, and flows with the rest of your interior requires a careful balance of practicalities and aesthetics. Below, we share a few mudroom design ideas that are sure to inspire as you plan and upgrade your home entryway into a new space.
Check out our galleries for more Laundry and Mudroom Ideas!
Consider the main practicalities for your mudroom design
How is it possible to turn a room meant to corral dirty shoes, all your bulky outerwear, and pet accessories into a space that’s attractive and efficient? Rest assured doing so is possible. A well-designed mudroom can bring order to a messy environment and your daily schedule.
Your utility space can be both fabulous and functional, this decorative blue and white marble backsplash for the laundry room!
It might seem obvious, but the most common spot for a mudroom should be situated near the garage, a back entry that leads to the garden or next to the door where your family tends to enter and leave the house.
So, if you're working with a separate room or planning on reconfiguring your kitchen or a more useful and convenient place, it is vital that you think about the absolute basics before you move on to the “would like to haves”.
Select good flooring for heavy traffic
No place in your home will get as much foot traffic as a mudroom, so it’s wise to opt for practical flooring material that will withstand daily abuse. Porcelain floor tiles, for example, are extremely durable to stand up to the dirt, mud, and water that gets tracked in from outside. Aside from being incredibly resistant to moisture and stain, porcelain is relatively easy to clean and maintain.
What’s more, many styles look like real wood and natural stone, giving you a look that you desire with the practicality of tile. An absorbent indoor/outdoor rug that can be easily cleaned should be placed near the entryway to catch water and dirt, as well as keep the floor from feeling too hard or cold.
Create cabinets with sufficient storage
A mudroom should be a user-friendly space; hence adequate storage to accommodate and safeguard items used for your daily commute, hobbies, pets or sports is a must. Having more storage than you think you might need keeps the room uncluttered and makes your home cleaner and safer.
In this modern farmhouse mudroom designed by Gerrard Builders, there is ample storage to keep things neat and organized. This stunning space follows the natural trend for wood and white decor with these sliding barn doors, taupe cabinet paint, and a crisp white ceramic subway tile backsplash that adds a zellige look shine!
To create a tailored mudroom with plenty of storage, consider a floor to ceiling wall unit with lots of cubbies, cabinets, and adjustable shelves for changing up as your family's needs change, a functional cabinet that slides out to reveal an organization system, pull out baskets and lidded boxes you can stack, as well as additional high and low-level hooks to hang wet jackets, hats and keep track of keys and dog leashes.
DIY Mudroom Updates that you can Easily Recreate
For an easy mudroom design update, a backsplash may be all you need to add visual interest to the scheme of things. Backsplashes not only protect the wall surface from damage, they can lend décor appeal that can instantly accentuate the look and feel of the entire space. The good news if you’re considering a quick mudroom makeover - adhesive tiles are here to save the day!
This marble hexagon combo pairs our Peel and Stick marble wall tiles with larger Carrara hexagon tiles that are adhered to the floor with traditional thinset, creating a harmonious look for this country mudroom.
Add benches for comfortable seating
There are a variety of choices when it comes to mudroom seating. You want somewhere to lay your bags while unpacking the car or taking off your shoes so you don’t track mud or snow into the house. A typical low bench makes for the ideal seating and will save you plenty of floor space. This can be fitted in the corner or along the wall of the room and it should be comfortable enough to provide ease for putting on and taking off footwear, heavy coats, etc.
Additionally, a low bench is also a useful landing zone for larger items to be brought inside such as groceries, sports equipment and other household tools. If you’re looking for more storage space that hides clutter out of sight, a bench with a lift-up lid or pullout drawers will save the day.
Create a sink and dog bathing station
If space permits, a mudroom should include a good-sized sink. A deep-basin sink is a brilliant feature and can serve a number of purposes including hand washing delicate garments, washing hands after working outside in the garden or garage, as well as quickly rinsing muddy boots as soon as you come in. Opt for one in a finish that’s easy to clean such as stainless steel, ceramic, or concrete.
Choose building materials that pull double duty, like this decorative wood look marble backsplash behind the laundry room sink - it protects your walls from water, detergent, and other splashes, while adding a creative detail to this cozy laundry room!
Installing a pet shower is an option that’s very useful for people who love their pets but want to prevent muddy paw prints on the floor. While many may prefer an outdoor shower, having a pet bathing station will ease your life tremendously during the winter season. Ideally, you may want to build a bathing station big enough to accommodate the size of your pet.
Just because it is functional doesn’t mean your dog bathing station has to be boring. Personalize the space exclusively for your pet by including a dog bed, a feeding station, toy storage, grooming equipment, leads and collars. This works really well if you have the luxury of space in your mudroom. A built-in dog bathing station will also benefit from a hardworking tile that’s water and stain resistant.
Ensure visual flow with transitional design
Being a transitional space, it makes good sense aesthetically that you create a seamless design feel between your mudroom and the room adjacent to it. Doing so will keep the mudroom from seeming like a separate structure and instead, make the room feel as part of a bigger space.
In this home designed by Bria Hammel Interiors, visual flow from one room to another is achieved through color and flooring.
A consistent color palette is a fantastic way to create visual connection between the mudroom and the rest of your house. This however does not suggest that you have to use the exact same color throughout. Consider choosing a common color then use a tone or two lighter or darker to keep the spaces distinct.
If you’re working with a compact space, particularly one that has a practical use, a light neutral color will help brighten up the interior. However, don’t shy away from making use of bolder colors to give the mudroom visual interest. A striking feature wall in a vibrant hue works pretty well with white or neutral furnishings.
Combine your mudroom with laundry
The mudroom and laundry room is a logical pairing that works well when dirty clothes frequently come-into the house. If you put the washing machine in the mudroom, it makes it easier to stop the kids from walking through the house in grubby clothes and you can easily toss soiled items directly into the wash.
Having enough space allows for a mudroom and laundry room combo. This Green Mixed Leaf Recycled Glass Mosaic Tile adds a striking feature that’s sure to catch anybody’s attention.
Install retractable drying racks on the wall, as well as shelves above the washer and dryer to create an organized spot for all your items without taking up precious floor or storage space.
It’s worth noting that a tiny mudroom will benefit from a neutral color scheme. This will visually expand the space and reflect the light better which helps if you’re looking to bring in your laundry appliances.
Choose the best mudroom lighting
A mudroom is a hard-working part of the house, and for this reason, a thoughtful lighting strategy goes a long way towards making this space work for you. In determining the right lighting design, it’s important to first consider where the mudroom is located, how the space will be used and what kind of decorative fixtures can be incorporated to create a welcoming ambience.
The right lighting design strategy sets the tone for the perfect ambience. Our black and white marble hexagon tiles beautifully complement the wooden storage cabinet and light fixture. A built-in bench in floor to ceiling cabinetry checks all the boxes for storage and seating!
Because this is a transitional room, you may want to set the right tone and make the space as inviting as possible. For this to take shape, you will still need to think about a layered lighting plan that includes ambient, task and accent lighting. Ambient lighting — also known as general lighting — should illuminate the entire space; and in most cases, it’s all that’s needed to adequately light up this area.
By including stylish wall sconces, you can enhance both the utility and the aesthetic of the mudroom. Utilize accent sources to offer your space a warm glow — and when strategically positioned, you can simply illuminate your favorite elements such as a statement piece of artwork or layered cushions on a bench.
Check out our favorite sources to find lighting online!
Consider ventilation and heating for your entryway
As a transition space from the outdoors, your mudroom will be home to wet boots, coats, gardening tools, and possibly dogs… so good ventilation is imperative to keep the indoor air fresh and to prevent the growth of mildew and mold.
When it comes to heating, radiant heat in this area is a real bonus — it will keep family members comfortable, as well as help shoes, clothes (and dogs) dry quickly and efficiently. An exhaust fan that’s vented outdoors is ideal, and dehumidifiers will help keep the room from smelling dank.
Marble tiles, like this two-tone hexagon tile with a combo of Carrara and Wooden Beige marble, are great conductors of heat! This white and tan mudroom and laundry space is compact, efficient, and minimalist, making it perfect to easily vent and heat!
What are your favorite options to upgrade your mudroom? Whether you’re looking for the perfect cabinet paint color to pair with your floors, a stunning storage space to declutter your countertops, or a gorgeous tile to protect your floors and walls while add a stylish statement, you’ve come to the right place to find mudroom makeover ideas!
