Get organized: It's a New Year's resolution we seem to make year after year, BUT as life gets busy, it's easy to let clutter take over again, unless you manage it the right way. Get our advice, tips, and tricks to make 2014 the year you get organized once and for all.....In The Mudroom!
Create a Room That Flows ~ This rustic, cottage-style mudroom is a true indoor/outdoor breezeway that flows from one room to the next. In room-to-room mudroom pathways, be sure to incorporate elements from both indoor and outdoor surroundings to create a successful movement.
Determine Your Mudroom's Functionality ~ Much like choosing the function of a spare room, a mudroom should be well thought out and have an ultimate purpose in the home. According to Susan Howell of Howell Custom Building Group, the homeowner should first make a list of everything they plan on storing in the mudroom and how they want it to look and flow with the rest of the home.
Efficient, Family-Friendly Storage ~ To ensure a mudroom stays organized and clutter-free, make the space functional and efficient for everyone. Designer JoLynn Johnson of Crystal Kitchen Center says, "Coat hooks are much easier than hangers for storing outerwear, plus you can hang backpacks and purses from them, too.
So Much Storage, So Little Space ~ "Mudrooms are typically small in square footage, so make the most of the space by going vertical," JoLynn Johnson says. "Add shelves where bins and baskets can be placed for easy access. Smaller items like hats, gloves and scarves can be stored in the bins.
On-the-Go Hallway Storage ~ What do homeowners ask for most often in their mudroom? Susan Howell says most people want a bench, a charging station and a place with individual cubbies for each child to hang their jackets and store their schoolwork.
A Place for Everything ~ Whether it's a dedicated room or a stretch of wall inside the door, the key is to have a place for all the things you bring in that don't need to go any farther into the house. Make a list of those items -- coats, boots, mail, and keys -- and create an easy-access storage spot for each one right by the door.
Tucked Away ~ Some homes simply require a small entryway with a quick place to tuck shoes and coats away without the use of a formal storage unit. Designer Sarah Richardson stores winter gear in a brick-red closet with an antique bench nearby and a full-length mirror right by the door for last-minute outfit checks.
Create Storage With Repurposed Furniture ~ You can turn virtually any traditional entryway into a makeshift mudroom by utilizing your DIY skills. First, take an old dresser and dress it up with a fresh coat of paint. Then, use picture frames and chalkboard paint and add them to the center of each drawer front; these will serve as name plates, so each family member will have a designated place to properly store their winter gear and accessories.
Incorporate Personal Style ~ Don't be afraid to integrate your home's style and personality into your mudroom design. Design blogger Kristin Salazar designs her mudroom as a direct reflection of her home's shabby chic charm, while still using it as a functional entry storage spot. Hooks are a simple and inexpensive storage solution. Install enough for
everyone's coats, umbrellas, purses, backpacks, and briefcases.
A Mudroom Must-Have ~ Most mudrooms are considered narrow walk-through hallways off the kitchen or laundry room. But, if space permits, there is one design element almost every mudroom should have: a bench.
Make It Welcoming ~ Use shelves or cubbies with fun labeled bins or cloth-lined baskets to add storage while creating a smooth and attractive transition into the house.
Closed Off and Clutter-Free ~ A closed-off mudroom is the best option for those that don't care to have a guest-ready space at all times. In this traditional home, 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.
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