Brandon Baker Layout blogger Kristin Salazar layouts her mudroom as a direct reflection of her home's shabby chic appeal, while utilizing it as a practical entrance storage spot.

Layout blogger Kristin Salazar layouts her mudroom as a direct reflection of her home's shabby chic appeal, while utilizing it as a practical entrance storage spot.

Design With Children in Mind When designing a mudroom, think of how your kids will utilize the space. Jeffrey S. Brown, president of J.S. Brown & Co.. , states, "Most parents tell us their children do better with open areas because they are more inclined to hang their coat on a hook than to open a closet door and pull down a hanger." In this circumstance, low-hanging hooks are the best option. Children can hang their coats and bags on rows of hooks and kick their shoes off below. Designer Sarah Richardson's walk-through mudroom is the perfect example of a low-maintenance entry with kids in mind.



A Mudroom Must-Have Many mudrooms are deemed narrow walk-through halls from the kitchen or laundry room. But custom bathroom glass doors . if space allows, there's one design component almost every mudroom should have: a bench. Jeffrey S. Brown says, "I nearly always include a shallow seat area, which is helpful for carrying off boots or setting down a briefcase or shopping bag. Bench seating ought to be offered to the ground, allowing for someone to sit down and place their sneakers underneath when they come indoors." DIY Network's Blog Cabin 2012 features an open entryway mudroom with foyer chairs suited to house shoes and accessories beneath, and even supplies a standalone cupboard with a storage container and hanging rack.



As Stylish As the Rest Designer Jane Frederick was convinced not to leave "style" out of the equation when producing this traditional walk-through mudroom. As opposed to designing a sterile room using a utility room feel, Jane incorporates rustic, lodge-inspired components from the rest of the home into the mudroom. She uses wooden case goods, accessories and artwork to style the space and make it feel as hot as the rest of the home, though it serves as a functional mudroom.



Tucked Away Some houses only require a little entryway with a fast place to tuck coats and shoes off without the use of an official storage unit. Designer Sarah Richardson stores winter gear in a brick-red cupboard with a classic bench nearby and a full-length mirror directly by the door for last-minute outfit checks.



Produce a Room That Flows This rustic, cottage-style mudroom is an actual beachfront breezeway that flows from one room to the next. In room-to-room mudroom paths, make sure you incorporate elements from the indoor and outdoor surroundings to make a thriving movement. Architect Don Giambastiani of Solomon Bauer Giambastiani Architects states, "Mudrooms are usually the transition between the interior and outside, so select materials, both visually and functionally, based on the overall design of the house and landscape." Here, stone walls and floors pull in outdoor elements which also coordinate with the rest of the interior.



Multipurpose at Its Best Busy, busy families with children often need more than only a few shelves in a mudroom when it comes to storing coats, shoes, backpacks and athletic equipment. Architect Emily Fisher of Rock Paper Hammer turns an 8-by-20-foot space into a multifunctional laundry room/mudroom located just outside the kitchen. When designing this mudroom, Emily keeps the requirements of the active family in mind and produces a transitional storage device. "This area usually takes the form of built-in cubbies -- open lockers for every family member with plenty of pins, spaces above for bins to carry smaller items and shoe storage under with a little seat above," she states.



Determine Your Mudroom's Functionality Much like picking the purpose of a room, a mudroom ought to be well thought out and have an ultimate purpose in the house. Based on Susan Howell of Howell Custom Building Group, the homeowner must first make a record of what they plan on storing from the mudroom and the way they want it to appear and flow with the rest of the house. "Do they need this to be just a 'usefulness' entry for family members and pets, or will this be the primary entry/exit to the home? If so, it ought to keep a neater, more elegant look," she states. "Will the room serve different applications in different seasons -- for example, if they have a swimming pool, will they be keeping towels and swimming toys here in the summer? Will they want to store boots and hockey apparel here in the winter?" In HGTV Dream House 2011, the mudroom features floor-to-ceiling, locker-style cabinetry which shops ski equipment and other winter gear. When the household steps off the slopes, they could clean up in a mudroom built to resist harsh wear and tear.



Efficient, Family-Friendly Storage To ensure a mudroom remains organized and clutter-free, make the space practical and efficient for everyone. Designer JoLynn Johnson of Crystal Kitchen Center says, "Coat hooks are much easier than hangers for keeping outerwear, plus you are able to hang bags and backpacks out of them, also. Double up and also have two rows of pins for more coats on the top and shorter on the floor, even." Like in this mudroom, JoLynn proposes using cubbies in case you have the space. "Everyone in the family can have their own cubby to organize their items. Add outlets for charging phones, iPods or computers rather than letting these things clutter up the kitchen counter"



Closed Off and Clutter-Free A closed-off mudroom will be the smartest choice for those that don't care to get a guest-ready space at all times. In this traditional House, designers Jeffrey S. Brown, Monica Miller and Stefanie Ciak of J.S. Brown & Co.. Create a separate mudroom located just off the kitchen and entryway. It comprises all of the components of a traditional mudroom -- such as shelves, drawers and hooks -- but uses a sliding, reclaimed-wood barn door to maintain everything stylishly concealed.



Three Bathrooms in One Upon entering HGTV's Green Home 2012, an individual would never guess that this very small space houses an entryway, mudroom and a laundry area. That is right -- designer Linda Woodrum is sure to keep clutter at bay with trendy storage systems that cleverly fool the eye. On the right, a handmade peg rail provides a fast and effortless spot to hang jackets, hats and purses along the way in. On the left, locker-style cabinetry with industrial-chic charm hides a front-loading washer/dryer unit, cleaning supplies and other accessories.



So Much Storage, So Little Space "Mudrooms are typically small in square footage, so make the most of the distance by going perpendicular," JoLynn Johnson says. "Add shelves where baskets and bins could be placed for easy access. Smaller items such as hats, gloves and scarves can be saved in the bins" This traditional mudroom provides all of the storage amenities of a spacious room compacted into a single unit. Storage shelves, baskets, hooks, bench chairs and convenient floor storage all keep mudroom contents tidy and within reach.



On-the-Go Hallway Storage What do homeowners request most frequently in their mudroom? Susan Howell says many men and women want a seat, a charging station and also a location with individual cubbies for each kid to hang their jackets and save their schoolwork. "They want a place where work things are abandoned when entering or leaving the house, but not necessarily a location that is part of their home life," she states.



A Space to Your Needs Your mudroom doesn't necessarily have to be an expansive storage device with shelves, cubbies and drawers. Susan Howell states the fundamentals of a mudroom ought to be entirely depending on the requirements of the homeowner. Smaller families with teens may just require a little bench and hooks for hanging jackets. "What's really essential in a mudroom is knowing the demands of the mudroom before it's even built, so that whatever is essential to the homeowner's family is within the finished solution," she says.



Produce Storage With Repurposed Furniture You can turn virtually any conventional entryway to a makeshift mudroom by utilizing your DIY skills. First, take an old dresser and dress it up with a new coat of paint. After that, use graphic frames and chalkboard paint and add them into the middle of every drawer front; those will function as name plates, so each family member will have a designated location to properly store their winter equipment and accessories. The case good itself will serve as an attractive piece of furniture in the foyer and take up minimal space.



Glam It Up Designer Rebekah Zaveloff desired this cottage-style mudroom to feel as the rest of the house instead of a cold, garage-like extension. Coordinating with the rest of the inside's feel, she reuses old doors, builds new types and adds custom-matched cabinetry. Behind custom pocket doors is a front-loading washer/dryer unit, preventing the room from feeling like a pure laundry space. Carrera Granite countertops, stainless steel shelves and green penny-tile floors add a classic feel with a bit of unexpected glam to among the house's most hard-working spaces. "Do not treat your mudroom such as an afterthought," Rebekah states. "We invest a lot of time in these types of spaces, and treat them like you would treat your living space."



Do not overlook the Ambiance Ambiance is a vital element within a home, and a mudroom shouldn't be forgotten. Don Giambastiani says there are two elements of a mudroom that are ideal for both purpose and air: seating and lighting. "If there's room, a seating element is generally valuable both for purpose and ambiance. This can be a built-in or a piece of furniture, based on the size of this room," he states. "And do not forget decent lighting. Try several sources, if possible, to provide extra mood and function."



Double the Function The designers in Fiorella Design utilize the narrow area adjoining to the front door as a mudroom and home office. Since the space is only functional, they choose a contemporary design with an all-white palette and minimal decor. The design looks suited for its purpose and makes the space look and feel more organized.



Contain Personal Style Don't be afraid to incorporate your home's style and personality in your mudroom layout. Layout blogger Kristin Salazar layouts her mudroom as a direct reflection of her home's shabby chic appeal, while utilizing it as a practical entrance storage spot. As opposed to wasting wall area, Kristin adds a small shelf to house charming decorative accents.



Account for Pets If you are sharing your home with furry friends, then a mudroom is the perfect place to establish and save pet's possessions. Make sure you choose tile or beadboard wainscoting, as these materials manage messes better than drywall. Jeffrey S. Brown also proposes picking porcelain tile in a medium to dark color, since it's durable and easy to wash. This pet-friendly mudroom includes a room for cleaning wet pets, home food and water dishes, and keeping food, accessories, dog crates or litter boxes. "A large utility sink can be beneficial for refilling dishes or cleaning muddy paws, as may towel bars or towel hooks," Jeffrey says.



Make Dead Space Valuable Missing a mudroom? Turn an awkward corner or downstairs dead space into precious entryway storage. The designers in Fiorella Design transform this corner into a makeshift mudroom with the addition of an L-shaped floor-to-ceiling storage device. A combo of cubbies, baskets, hooks, bench seating and pullout drawers make the ideal mixture of storage to arrange everything from scarves to schoolbooks.



Ample Storage If you expect your mudroom to remain neat, opt for open, more modern storage alternatives. But if you think you need to contain all of the clutter behind closed doors, then floor-to-ceiling cabinetry may be the best alternative for you. In this conventional mudroom layout, designers Jeffrey S. Brown and Stefanie Ciak of J.S. Brown & Co.. Unite open cubbies and locker-style storage with cabinets that are closed. Now there's an alternative for those miscellaneous items that just don't have a location of their own.



Mix Up Storage Elements This custom-designed laundry area also doubles as a mudroom with wall-to-wall cabinetry, perfect for storing everything from coats to cleaning supplies. Don Giambastiani proposes mixing mudroom storage alternatives to create a more unique appearance. "Supply a mixture of accessible storage in the kind of drawers, cubbies and spacious shelves," he says. "Cubbies and drawers offer a bit more business, but open shelves may also home baskets or other containers which help arrange while adding some personality." Design by Shane Inman