A mudroom is a dedicated entryway space in a home that’s designed to manage dirt, clutter, and everyday essentials. It’s often placed near an entrance, such as between the house and garage or off the kitchen, to keep the main living areas clean and organized. Our team at Steiner Homes has put together this guide on what a mudroom is, why it’s important, and why you should consider adding one to your home.
Mudroom Definition
A mudroom is a small yet functional space in a home that acts as a buffer between the outdoors and the interior living spaces. It provides a transitional space where people can take off their shoes, coats, and wet or muddy clothing before walking into the main part of the house. It’s typically outfitted with storage solutions such as hooks, shelves, benches, and cubbies. This provides a designated place for coats, footwear, backpacks, and other items that can otherwise create clutter.
The Benefits of Having a Mudroom
Below are some of the benefits of having a mudroom in your home.
Organization
Mudrooms help you keep clutter in your home under control. This is very useful if you have young kids or pets. A mudroom provides storage space where you can stow everyday items such as shoes, bags, and keys to prevent clutter from building up in your hallway or living room.
Cleanliness
Mudrooms prevent your family and guests from tracking dirt through your home by providing a drop-off point for shoes and outerwear. Storing these items near your home’s entrance keeps dirt, mud, and snow from spreading throughout your home. We recommend using waterproof flooring and surfaces that are easy to clean to keep your mudroom maintenance simple.
Convenience
Mudrooms can simplify your daily routine, which is helpful if you have a large family, kids, or pets. Having one space for all your essential items saves time looking for them. Parents can easily organize school supplies, while pet owners can keep leashes and outdoor gear within reach.
Additional Uses
Mudrooms can also be a dedicated space to store pet supplies. You can keep your pet’s food bowls, leashes, and grooming tools here. They’re also an excellent place to store sports equipment such as cleats, balls, and helmets. This helps keep all the gear and messy items out of your main living areas. If you have the space, you can also use your mudroom as a laundry area. It can be a handy place to air laundry when it’s raining outside.
Essential Features of an Effective Mudroom
Mudrooms typically have the following features:
- Waterproof flooring: Make sure your mudroom has durable and moisture-resistant flooring such as tile, vinyl, or sealed concrete to withstand daily wear and tear.
- Seating options: Include a built-in bench or seating area to offer a convenient spot for putting on or taking off shoes. Some benches also feature clever storage compartments to increase their functionality.
- Storage solutions: To maximize efficiency, mudrooms often include wall-mounted hooks for coats, open shelves for frequently used items, and enclosed cabinets for seasonal storage.
- Laundry integration: In some homes, the mudroom doubles as a laundry area, making it easy to handle wet or soiled clothing immediately upon entering the house.
Mudroom Dimensions: How Much Space Do You Need?
The answer to this question really depends on how much space you have to play with. Mudrooms can be as big or as small as you like, but we recommend going as large as you can afford to. The ideal mudroom size also depends on how big your family is and whether you have pets.
A small mudroom may be 6 by 6 feet. This offers just enough space for basic storage. Midrange layouts of 8 by 10 feet can accommodate benches, laundry units, and expanded shelving. A large mudroom (10 by 12 feet or more) can include a full wall of built-in cabinets, individual cubbies for each family member, a laundry station, and even a pet washing area. This size is ideal for large households or those who are often outdoors.
Mudroom Locations: Where Should You Place One?
Not sure where to put a mudroom in your home? Mudrooms should always be the first access point to your house, but this can mean different things for different homes. Here are some of our recommended locations to get the best use out of them:
- Off the kitchen: Having the mudroom off the kitchen gives you access to storage and laundry while keeping the mess contained in one space.
- Between the house and garage: Having a mudroom between the house and garage is a popular choice. This means you can store your outdoor gear and footwear before entering your main living areas.
- At the front entrance: If your home doesn’t have a secondary entry, a front-entry mudroom can function as both a welcoming space and a practical storage area.
Improve Your Home’s Value With a Mudroom
Adding a mudroom can increase the value of your property by improving its functionality and organization. Homebuyers often appreciate the convenience and cleanliness that a well-designed mudroom provides.
Considering including a mudroom in your custom floor plan design? Work with us at Steiner Homes to design a customized entryway that suits your lifestyle and space requirements. We’ll factor in the layout of your home and the size of your family to create the perfect mudroom for your needs. Contact us today to start designing your ideal home.
gray and white floral throw pillow beside rack inside room by Douglas Sheppard is licensed with Unsplash License
