Organise + design your Reno with these resources

Having a Mud Room is an absolute luxury, but what if you don’t have the space or the budget? How do you hide your shoes, coats, bags and other everyday essentials so they don't become an eyesore at your front door or home entrance?

By integrating a Drop Zone storage solution just off your front door of course… with the right customised storage so everyday essentials can be hidden behind seamless joinery! Here’s what you’ll want to consider and include in your mudroom design…

1. Mud Room Location

   First things first, planning the location of your mudroom storage so it’s near your front door is vital. Your new Drop Zone should be tucked just inside the entry of your home, and/or ideally close to your garage. This is essential so this game-changing storage solution is the first spot you visit when you arrive, and the last place you walk past as you leave your home. Locate a Mud Room too far from your home entrance, and you’ll end up dropping items near your front door, whilst your far-removed Drop Zone becomes just another household storage cupboard.

2. Choice of Material

Let’s face it, your home entrance sees a lot of coming and going, so it’s vital to choose a cabinetry material that’s resistant to everyday wear and tear. A laminate is an ideal solution as it’s cost-effective and comes in a wide range of colours and finishes. Here we’ve used a timber laminate with a textured woodgrain finish, to create a warm and inviting entrance for this home. The laminate is comfortable to sit on and easy to wipe clean.

3. A Seat

A seat is absolutely essential! It’s the perfect place to plant yourself as you’re putting on or taking off shoes or tying those of little ones. It also serves for the inevitable dropping of items as you come and go, and is the perfect place to assemble everything you need as you’re preparing to leave home. Make sure you include storage under the seat in the form of a cupboard or drawers to store shoes or other items.

4. A Tall Cupboard

If planned and designed thoughtfully, a tall cupboard can serve a number of purposes, so consider what you might store here and ensure the dimensions comfortably fit those items.

Installing a hanging rail allows for storage of jackets at the ready whilst tall items like umbrellas can sit below. Including a PowerPoint inside ensures items like cordless vacuums can remain on charge and at the ready in this high-traffic area of the home. You may also choose to store sports equipment, brooms or other items, so spend a few minutes in the planning to ensure your design is up for the job.

5. Lighting

Your Mud Room Storage will be used at all hours of the day and night - so consider the lighting that will make this area functional and beautiful. LED strip lighting creates a beautiful ambience and can be integrated into cabinetry or within a ceiling recess as seen below. Wall lights are a fabulous way to dress up a wall and add another element to your space. Functional lighting such as lights can provide lighting exactly where you need it and ensure this zone is as practical as it is beautiful.

6. Custom Storage

Your Mud Room Storage may be small, but by including overhead storage such as cupboards or mudroom closets, you’ll maximise every inch of usable space. Add a floating shelf for a curated display and some hooks or baskets and you’ve got a beautiful storage hub tailored to all needs.

As you can see, planning for your Drop Zone is key. Spending the time to consider your needs and lifestyle will ensure your new Mud Room solution works hard for you and looks mighty fine doing it too!