How to Design the Perfect Mudroom for Your Home

While the word “mudroom” may not evoke glamorous home imagery, this doesn’t mean you have to compromise style for functionality. Depending on the layout, your mudroom may be where you and your guests enter your home. If this is the case, your mudroom should be as pleasing to the eye as it is practical.

Designing such a space is no easy feat, but if you’re up for the challenge, you just might end up with a mudroom you’ll be proud to show off. Here are a few tips to consider when designing your home’s mudroom. 

How big should a mudroom be? 

Generally speaking, your mudroom should be at least five feet wide (if you’ve ever had to wrangle kids out of snow gear or unleash and wipe down your dog after a walk, you’ll appreciate a wider space). When it comes to length, a truly functional mudroom should be upwards of 10 or 11 feet to accommodate features, such as benches, cubbies, hooks, footwear and other storage. Though this might sound like a lot of space, it will help make the mudroom feel less cluttered, and it will make coming and going as a family less stressful. 

Another consideration is door size. Rear-facing doors tend to be slightly narrower than front doors (coming in at about 36 inches), so the adjacent mudroom should expand beyond those dimensions, if possible. Also, be mindful of the direction your door swings. Avoid placing features, such as coat hooks or an umbrella stand, where they will make opening the door awkward or impossible. Since most mudrooms will include a mat or rug at the entrance to collect water and dirt, make sure that the threshold height is high enough so that the door doesn’t catch the rug when opened or closed.

While there are certainly some rules of thumb to keep in mind when it comes to the size of your mudroom, the design of your home and your budget will, of course, affect the scale of your project. Having said that, if your mudroom is on the smaller side, you may simply need to compromise on seating or storage. 

Consider location & fittings

Most homes have at least two points of entry, so how do you decide which entrance is best for your mudroom? Remember, having a functional mudroom is most important, so it should occupy the most frequently used entryway. Designing a stylish mudroom is great, but it won’t serve its purpose if your family is kicking off their shoes and piling their jackets at the other end of the house. 

In many cases, the entryway that is used most frequently will be the one closest to the garage or driveway. Stylistically, some homeowners may prefer to create the mudroom of their dreams at the front entryway, but unless that entry is used often, the mudroom simply won’t be used enough to be appreciated. 

Once you’ve decided on the best location for your mudroom, you can begin to visualize the elements that will go into that space to keep it organized. Though each mudroom is unique, they do tend to include many of the same features. Here are a few examples: 

• Install a closet with double hanging rods to accommodate a few outerwear options for each family member. The lower portion of the closet is a good place to add shelving for bags, shoes and hats, keeping them organized and out of the way. 
• Alternatively, you could opt for a custom-built locker unit that includes cubbies or a locker for each family member. Each locker can include multiple hooks for jackets, as well as space for purses, backpacks and other outdoor items.  
• Add shelving for baskets that will house mittens, gloves, hats, scarves and other outdoor accessories. Again, having a basket for each member of the family will make finding desired items easier.  
• Include a bench to make putting on and taking off shoes easier. How high should a mudroom bench be? Aim for about 21-inches high if you want to ensure the bench can accommodate adults and children alike. 

If you have small children, you might be wondering, what is the best height for coat hooks?  Installing all of the hooks at adult height will mean you’ll constantly be helping your kids get ready to go out, so it’s best to install some coat hooks at a kid-friendly height. These may need to be altered later, but doing so is an easy task. Alternatively, these low hooks are great for hanging keys or a leash once they are no longer needed for a child’s jacket.

How much value do mudrooms add to a home?

Before getting into the value a mudroom can add to your home, it’s important to keep in mind that most renovation projects will only influence the financial value of your home when completed just prior to placing it on the market. So the true value of the project will come from how it makes your home more livable for you and your family. 

Having said all that, there are a few things you can add to your mudroom that will make your home more enticing to future buyers. For example, mudrooms are often colder spaces, so installing heated floors might be a nice touch. Or, consider adding a variety of storage solutions with enough space to accommodate difficult to store items, such as vacuum cleaners. 

Your mudroom may be the first space your guests see when they visit, but it will also be a space that helps keep you organized whenever you enter or leave your home. So when designing your home’s mudroom, aim to achieve a space that balances style with functionality and order. Browse our selection of custom cabinet lockers – available in a variety of colors and styles – that will keep your mudroom organized and stylish.