How to Design a Mudroom: 22 Ideas That Fit Your Life
When you walk through the door, where do your shoes, coats, and bags end up? If you’re here, the answer is probably everywhere.
A well-designed mudroom transforms wasted, chaotic space into an organized launchpad for your home. Your floors are clean and your personal style can greet you at the door. But most importantly, leaving the house with the whole family in tow gets so. much. easier.
Whether you are working with a tight hallway, a wasteland corner in the garage, or an entire spare room, these mudroom design ideas will give all your gear a home and give you your sanity back.
3 Steps to Planning the Perfect Mudroom: Function Comes First
Define Your Mudroom’s Purpose
Take a clear look at the daily practices and needs of the household: Do you need to hang backpacks and stack sneakers? Would adding a bench make it easier to get you and the kids out the door? How about a laundry station? Maybe a deep sink to clean muddy feet (or muddy paws)?
Make Your List of Must-Haves
Start with your non-negotiable essentials (hooks, shoe storage, cabinetry) and list your “nice to haves” like a dog washing station or a hanging mail sorter. This will keep your priorities in check and your project focused.
Design With Users In Mind
One mistake we want to avoid is diving into designing strictly based on looks instead of considering who is going to be using this hands-on space. Families with kids and pets and even adults with lots of outdoor passions need a mudroom that can handle the mess. Use wipeable surfaces, water resistant flooring, rounded edges, and hooks at child height to make the area durable, safe, and accessible.
22 Mudroom Design Ideas for Every Space
Turn a Hallway Into a Mudroom
For those whose hallway has collected random piles of stuff (or what we like to call “doom piles”). While it might sound backwards– lean into it! It’s showing that this is a natural space for you to place things anyway, so the best way forward is to add some structure. Add wall-mounted storage, a mirror, and a slim bench with storage capabilities to create a purposeful transition area.
Convert Your Hall Closet into a Mudroom
Convert a nearby closet into a mini mudroom by raising the hanging rod, adding shelving underneath, and installing hooks on the inside walls. If you want to really commit and open up the space, remove the closet doors, apply fresh paint, and add a built-in bench to create simple, yet custom luxury.
Create a Garage Entry Mudroom
Garages are prime real estate for mudroom storage, especially for those who want to maintain a no-shoes household. Add a durable bench, a custom slat wall, cubbies, and a shoe rack for the perfect set up.
Pro tip: Don’t add a rug in the garage, it will lock in unnecessary moisture, attracting mold and pests. Instead, opt for a washable mat to help catch dirt before it enters the house.
Combine Your Mudroom With the Laundry Room
If the laundry room is located close to an entrance, this could be your perfect solution. Make the most of the space by adding cabinets above the washer/ dryer, and cubby shelving to the side or on the opposing wall. If there’s enough room, add a cube organizer and use the surface for folded clothes and the cubbies underneath for shoes, backpacks, and sports gear.
Choose Built-Ins for a Custom Look
Built-in storage doesn’t just add luxury, it’s made-for-you solutions that last. If you want a polished, seamless look that maximizes every square inch and tackles every pain point, opt for floor to ceiling cabinetry and a built-in bench for maximum accessibility and organization.
Use Freestanding Furniture for Flexibility
If you need a quick fix and a budget friendly upgrade, freestanding furniture is the way forward. Use cube organizers, benches, and floating shelves to create some structure– without making permanent changes.
Install Open Cubbies for Quick Access
Cubbies are our favorite solution for families with kids. Accessibility is the name of the game here– tiny hands can easily grab what they need and put it back quickly without yelling for help.
Pro Tip: Take it a step further and add name tags on the cubbies for each kiddo. You might get further buy-in if you let each child decorate their name tag with stickers of their favorite characters, (we’re not above bribery here).
Add Lockers to Hide the Mess
Prefer a tucked away, cleaner look? Lockers provide a dedicated space for each individual and keep everything tucked away behind closed doors. Not to mention, it helps contain the smell of everyone’s well loved sneakers.
Mix Open and Closed Storage
Create depth with a mix of storage types. Use open shelves for everyday use items and closed cabinetry for backstock supplies, pet items, or seasonal gear.
Pro Tip: A mudroom is a great spot to have a first aid kit packed and ready. Most accidents and injuries happen right outside or in the kitchen, so having mudroom cabinetry acting as the “home base” for your first aid kit will definitely come in handy.
Create a Shoe Storage Zone
Shoe organization is the crux of any home entryway. Regardless of the space you’re working with, shoes need a proper spot– whether it’s a tray, rack, drawer, or cubby, this keeps your home tidy and walkways clear.
Use a Storage Bench
A bench will be a heavy hitter in this space. It offers convenience, accessibility, and hidden storage. Not to mention, it’ll give you an opportunity to add your personal style right at the door.
Add a Pet Station
You don’t want to keep Fido waiting on you to find the leash when he’s already excited for his walk. A pet station can create a home for it all: food, treats, waste bags, retrieving toys, and other care items. If your pup never turns down a river run or muddy puddle, installing a deep sink for quick rinses might be worth the investment.
Add a Mail and Key Drop Zone
The last thing we want to say when racing out the door is “where’s my keys?” Add a small shelf with a catch-all or wall-mounted organizer for mail, keys, wallet, and other devices. This keeps your counters clear and your essentials easy to grab on the go.
Install Durable Flooring
Mudrooms see a lot of moisture, dirt, and debris. Picking a waterproof material like tile, luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or sealed concrete will protect against water damage and mold.
Layer With a Washable Rug
Protect your floors and soften the look with a machine washable runner or rug. Choose something multicolored and textured to trap dirt and hide any discoloration.
Select a Smart Color Palette
Dark tones will easily cover up scuffs, scratches, and debris, while light colors will brighten up and open up small spaces. Navy, sage, hunter green, and off-white are popular choices for a cozy yet modern feel. Browse our color finishes for our custom mudrooms here.
Upgrade Your Lighting
Good lighting is often an overlooked detail that can make a dramatic difference. Swap out any outdated dome lights for statement pendant or wall sconces. You can also opt for an easy recessed light that will go with any decor.
Get Intentional With Hardware
Good design is found in the details. Brass, matte black, or brushed nickel hooks and handles can transform basic storage into a design-forward space.
Pro Tip: Be sure to take note of the existing hardware in any conjoining rooms to ensure continuity.
Spruce Up the Walls
While shiplap and beadboard offer a timeless look, they also serve as added wall protection– which is especially important when you have kids kicking off shoes, swinging backpacks, and pets coming in and out of the house. If you want to add even more detail, try peel-and-stick wallpaper above the shiplap.
Personalize the Space With Decor
While we want the feel of our home to start at the door, we don’t want to immediately enter a cluttered space. Framed photos and a chalk or cork board can make your mudroom feel like yours.
Add Plants
One of the most practical forms of decor– plants. Not only will plants soften the space, they’ll also aid in cleaner air! For a natural air purifier, add a potted philodendron or a snake plant.
Go Custom for Tricky Spaces
Your chances of having a successful project involving a miter saw and a pocket hole jig are slim. That said, it’s time to call in the professionals. If you need made-to-last luxury, custom solutions, and seamless integration with your mudroom transformation, custom is the way to go.
FAQs About Designing Your Mudroom
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Even a 3-foot-wide wall can become a functional mudroom. Ideally, aim for at least 5–6 feet of width for multiple users. If you have the space, 8–10 feet allows for full storage systems and seating.
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Yes! A well-designed mudroom increases the home’s usability and appeal– especially in family homes. Buyers look for functional storage, and mudrooms deliver exactly that.
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Waterproof and easy-to-clean materials like ceramic tile, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), or sealed concrete will provide the best protection for a high-traffic floor.
Avoid any carpet and untreated wood, which absorbs moisture.
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Custom mudroom costs widely vary—expect to spend $2,000–$10,000+ depending on size, materials, and whether you're building from scratch or upgrading an existing space.
Ready to Design a Mudroom That is Made for You?
At More Space Place Asheville, we create custom mudroom solutions that match your style and routine. Whether you need a sleek drop zone or hardworking family hub, our designers are here to help.