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After a winter with several snowstorms and a wet spring, the basement entryway looks like it could use some help. Months of traipsing in from outdoors with our snowy boots and wet jackets have taken a toll on that space, and it gets harder to keep clean. With a bench, some storage and a few mats to keep the boots and shoes in order, that disorganized entryway could be turned into a mudroom. Once a necessity in farmhouses and
manor houses, the mudroom has again become popular as a catchall for boots
and shoes, sports equipment, coats, winter gear and anything else family
members need to have at the ready when they go out the door. You don't
need a huge room to create a mudroom. Envision how your space will be used. How many people will be using the mudroom? How many children? Decide how much space you actually need, and then tailor that space to suit the needs of your family. Winter gear generally takes up more space, so plan accordingly. A bench provides a place for people to sit and remove their shoes or boots and sometimes has storage capability as well. There are many different kinds of benches out there. Choose the one that fits your needs and your decor. A full storage bench works well for a larger room or hallway. Storage under the seat and coat hooks make it a great all-in-one piece. If your mudroom is on a porch or near the outdoors, you may want to use an outdoor bench that will stand up to the elements but still looks great. A simple backless bench has room for shoes and boots underneath. For a sleek and modern look try an unadorned wooden bench. To keep coats and outerwear in order, a coat rack or coat hooks are necessary. Arrange a group of single or double hooks in a row or in groups to keep jackets, hats and leashes in order. Make sure to put hooks for children where they can reach them. A metal coat rack with a western scene adds a country flavor to your mudroom. If built-in cabinets are not in your budget, add storage shelves with baskets in different configurations to fit the dimensions of your space. Bookshelves and cubbies are also great for organizing items, as are storage cabinets. If you are planning to use your mudroom as a utility room as well, you may want to add a sink, such as a utility sink or a heavy-duty sink for washing dirty shoes, paintbrushes or anything else you don't want to wash in the kitchen sink. Dress up your mudroom with paint or wallpaper, or use a decorative theme to give it pizzazz.
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