Mudroom and Entry Storage Smarts

Areas for hanging and mudroom storage are insurance against grab-and-run chaos when it’s time to leave the house.

This mudroom storage post might well be called Momroom Aesthetics because Moms benefit from well organized foyers and mudrooms where family members have built-in spaces for backpacks, sports equipment, shoes, boots, hats, gloves and outerwear of all types. When well designed, these spaces have certain attributes that are becoming almost formulaic. Yet certain features and looks are replicated because, let’s face it, they serve! The intention is to create a landing and departure hub near doorways, often with partitions that create personal space, especially for children. Based on a grid concept, most of these are composed of vertical “open closet” sections with hooks or pegs and horizontal shelves, cubbies and drawers. To some degree, the designs can be dictated by the geographic location of a home.

The generous mudroom storage [top] includes a proper grown-up coat closet (door, far right) as well as a console table opposite the four beadboard-backed bays, each fixed with two rows of hanging pegs — the top row is perfect for headgear. Drawers in each bay are located high enough so boots can be put below. A big plus is setting-down surfaces above the drawers. With no cubby holes or upper shelves, clutter is kept to a minimum and there’s no need to retrieve anything tossed up there by a big kid. The herringbone brick floor is beyond durable and eminently practical in a snowy region.

The very specific design of this cheerful wallpaper-backed built-in quartet of bays clearly states: two adults and two children. The extra shelves in the two bays on the right side shorten the hanging space there. Fair enough, though it’s reno time when the little ones grow. And while it’s nice to have off-season storage in decorative “soffit” baskets, high shelves aren’t convenient if access is needed frequently.

This Boston area home has an expansive mudroom that I really love. Painted in cool tones of Benjamin Moore Gray Owl, it maximizes the use of a corner with a ton of hanging space plus a bench for changing shoes. Sectioned shoe storage guarantees that everyone has his own space, too. The owner bought shallow wire baskets at Target for the four upper shelves. Handles on the striped fiber totes below allow for these to be pulled out easily. Once again, beadboard provides a tough wall surface that resists nicks and dings. It is definitely becoming a default look in spaces like these — a real American classic.

Patterned after choir stalls, this storage area embellishes over-the-drawer seating with cushions and armrests. Drawers below each seat are wide and, most importantly, set back enough so the prominent handles don’t poke anyone sitting there in the back of the legs, the indication of an expert design. Upper storage shelves are framed, which can help prevent things falling and is a subtle refinement that helps suggest a vintage look. Painting the peg rail in a color that contrasts with the wide wood paneling is another attractive attention to detail.

A double row of shoe shelves for  this mud room storage looks so practical. There’s so much linear footage here too. High cabinets keep the space looking neat. While this mudroom lacks individual niches, it does feel a bit more flexible than the others.

A cozy seat around the corner from a pair of storage bays make ingenious use of below-the stairs space. With back and side hooks the bays can handle multiple garments. Floor-level drawers are unusual and the extra depth suggests that they can be accessed with a flick of a toe and that shoes can be stored there, out of sight.

If you’ve lived in a country house (or had a big dog) you immediately understand the floor sink and hand shower in this mudroom. Along with hooks, upper shelves, storage baskets and a drawer, the ability to sit a kid on the bench for a quick rinse-off is a boon Moms, gardeners or outdoor adventurers. This is no ordinary floor sink either – a close look suggests a custom job in marble. It’s unfortunate not to have a photo of the other sides of the room but this set up is so smart, I’m betting on a washer and dryer nearby.

(Source: forbes, bh&g, houzz, casedesign)

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