Tired of coming home to a messy, cluttered mudroom? Read this article! We have some mudroom organization tips to help you get your home back in order!
We spend a lot of time organizing and decorating our bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and baths.
But we often overlook a very important area of the house: the entryway.
Whether you have a huge home with a large mudroom or a small apartment with a tiny front hall, it’s possible to turn any entryway into an organized mudroom.
If you’re ready to get organized, it’s time to create a mudroom that looks good, functions well, and makes your life a little bit easier.
Ready to learn how?
Here are five mudroom organization secrets that will change your life!
1. Mount Wall Hooks
When you come home, do you take off your coat and scarf, toss them over the back of a chair, and leave them there until you’re ready to venture outdoors again?
Don’t worry. You’re not the only one.
Unless you enjoy living in a mess, you probably do this because you don’t have a designated place for your outdoor gear.
And that’s exactly what a mudroom is for.
The first step to organizing a mudroom is to add a few wall hooks. With hooks hung right by the door, you’ll have an easy place to hang coats, hats, scarves, and other outdoor items.
Assign a hook for every member of the family so that there’s no excuse for one person to leave their stuff lying around.
You can also use wall hooks to hang other items such as key rings, dog leashes, and backpacks.
2. Get a Storage Bench
The whole point of a mudroom is to have a place to take off wet gear and dirty shoes so you don’t track footprints through the house.
And as much as we love shoes, they are some of the biggest mess-makers we own.
If you want your mudroom to function properly, you’ll need a bench or a seat where people can sit and remove their footwear. This is the best way to encourage people to take their shoes off and leave them by the door.
Without a bench to sit on, they might not realize they’re supposed to.
Look for a bench with storage shelves or cubbies that can be used to hold shoes as well. That way, you can sit on the bench, remove your shoes, and store them right underneath.
You’ll never have to worry about mopping up dirty footprints again!
3. Keep a Shelf for Storage Boxes
Depending on how much space you have in your mudroom, you might consider adding a cabinet or shelf for storage boxes.
If you want to be extra-efficient, designate a storage box for every member of the house (and an additional one for guests).
Storage boxes can be used to hold all sorts of outdoor accessories. They’re perfect for scarves, sunglasses, outdoor toys, and other little things that are strictly used outside.
One way to live a happier life is to reduce clutter and minimize the amount of time you spend cleaning.
Things like scarves and sunglasses instantly turn into clutter when they’re tossed on a chair or dining table. By having a storage box for outdoor accessories near the door, those items won’t end up in your living room or dining room.
4. Designate a Place for Wet Items
Muddy shoes, snowy boots, and wet umbrellas can make a big mess on your floor. If you want to spend less time mopping, you’ll need to create a “wet spot” in your mudroom.
Designate a specific area of your entryway to hold dirty footwear. A simple boot tray that can catch water is all you need.
If you have a dog, add a separate mat where dogs can wipe their paws before heading into the house.
Invest in storage for other wet items as well, such as umbrellas and jackets. Place a slender umbrella stand in a corner by the door so water doesn’t drip all over your floor. If you have some extra space, add a drying rack where you can hang wet jackets and hats on a rainy day.
5. Hang a Calendar
Your mudroom can also be used as a family communication center.
With the addition of a calendar or bulletin board, you can turn your entryway into a hub for schedules and notes. This is an easy and effective way to share info amongst family members or roommates.
Use your calendar to detail important activities for each day of the week. This will let other members of the household know where you’ll be at different times and can serve as a reminder for yourself.
Glance at it every morning before you walk out the door, and you’ll never forget that you have a dentist appointment or happy hour plans after work.
A chalkboard can also be helpful in an entryway. You can use it to share messages with your family members or roommates. You can also use it to remind you of upcoming events. You could even use it to jot down an inspirational quote or a friendly welcome message for guests.
Tired of decluttering your living room and having to look at coats and shoes strewn about? An organized mudroom can solve that problem!
If you’re ready to organize your mudroom or entryway, here’s what to do:
- Add wall hooks for coats, hats, handbags, and dog leashes
- Add a bench with storage where people can sit to remove their shoes
- Add shelves and storage boxes to hold scarves, sunglasses, and other outdoor essentials
- Add a calendar and chalkboard to turn your entryway into a message center
- Designate a place for wet items, including boots and umbrellas
The good thing about organizing a mudroom is that it’s easy to do. In the matter of a few hours, you can turn your entryway into a brand-new space that looks good and functions even better!
Author Bio: Prime Place KSU develops student housing within walking distance to campus. We offer studio through 4 bedroom apartments as well as roommate-matching services. All our apartments have solid surface floors, granite countertops, and washer/dryer in unit.