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Putting Some Flair Into the Oft-Neglected Mudroom
A mudroom designed by Brian Patrick Flynn, who recommends open storage spaces. "Most people won't use it if it's closed," Flynn said. "I tried myself. I had a really cool retro credenza . . . All I would ever do was leave stuff on top."
(By Trent Arthur Photography Via Associated Press)
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Shoe storage is also important. Flynn suggests keeping your most frequently worn shoes in the mudroom, rather than the bedroom. Kick them off as soon as you enter, he said. You'll always know where to find them, and you'll protect the floors in your home.
Consider adding a bench with storage underneath, Mathison said. Sit on it to remove your shoes, then open it and toss the shoes inside.
The mudroom is also a great place to keep a dry-erase or cork message board for communicating with family or housemates. If everyone uses that entrance, you can be sure they'll see their messages immediately.
Although mudrooms tend to be drab, they're the perfect spot to indulge in bold colors and gutsy design. It's a fairly private space and you don't spend much time there (although some mudrooms do double as laundry rooms), so bright shades of paint or large graphic prints won't get overwhelming.
Decorate with whimsy: Display your children's artwork, Mathison suggested, or let them paint a mural on one wall. Carendi added vintage rackets and umbrellas to one client's entryway for a dash of glamour.
"Raid your garage," Flynn said, to find unique decorative pieces. "I tend to find older, sometimes rustic pieces perfect for the mudroom since this room gets a ton of wear and tear, as do the items that go in it." He located an old manual typewriter in a client's garage and used it to add charm to a tabletop. "Intersperse things that give you warm memories" with the really functional stuff, he says.
And don't forget to add a mirror. It's practical, Carendi said, and will make a small space seem larger.
A mudroom floor has to be durable and easily cleaned, but that doesn't mean tile or linoleum are the only options. These designers recommend using a machine washable rug or carpet remnants to add warmth and color. If the space already has wall-to-wall carpeting, Carendi recommends adding a washable rug on top.
Again, consider prints and bright colors that will lift your mood.
The cost may be lower than you think. "A lot of carpet companies, if you're getting a wool area rug done, they'll bind a couple of remnants for next to nothing," Mathison said. "You just have to ask."
