Why You Should Consider Adding a Mudroom into Your Kitchen Remodeling Project
By definition, a mudroom is a space in a house designed especially for the shedding of dirty or wet footwear and clothing and located typically off the kitchen or the entry of the home. However mudrooms have evolved to become much more and are now the first line of defense against clutter for homeowners in the Dayton area. Mudrooms provide a place for coats, hats, gloves, shoes, balls, toys, backpacks, grocery bags and a host of other items that homeowners and their families have when they enter their home. And those items often find their way to the floor, furniture, railings and countertops if there is a not a defined space to store them.
Designing a mudroom, similar to designing a kitchen, begins with focusing on the functional.
- What does your family need to store when they use the main entrance to the home?
- How much space is available or where else can you gain space?
- How many hooks, bins, shelves, benches, seats, rings, etc. will you need and how will they be used?
Even if you don’t have a dedicated “room” you can create mudroom functionality in an area off your kitchen or a wall in a hallway. That’s why functionality is the first, but certainly, not the only consideration. Once basic functionality is addressed, imagine how you can maximize the use, look and feel of the space. We have incorporated the laundry room as part of a mudroom and also have included pantries in our mudroom designs.
Because often the desired space for the mudroom is in close proximity to the kitchen, or space from the kitchen will be used to create the new mudroom, it is sometimes added to the scope of a kitchen remodel. The mudroom might incorporate the same new flooring, new cabinetry, and a complementary color scheme. When a mudroom is doorless, consistency is key and the two rooms should complement each other to blend well.
Many homeowners love having a sink at their primary entrance that enables them to wash their hands as soon as they enter the home. If the sink is deep enough it can perform double duty as a pet washing station or even a gardening shed. We often recommend placing a shower over the sink to help clean garden tools, rubber boots and even fruits and vegetables.
Most mudrooms tend to be smaller spaces that benefit from bright cabinetry and color schemes. The more light that can be added to the space serves not only to make the mudroom appear to be larger, but also easier to navigate. Other ideas for maximizing a small space include:
- Use all available wall space, including floor to ceiling storage.
- Having a bench in a mudroom is great, but if it’s going to clog the hallway or mess with the flow, skip it. Focus on hooks and shelves on the wall.
- Incorporate the mudroom functionality into the existing laundry room by adding hooks, additional shelves, even a sink.
- You don’t have to build or buy a fancy custom unit with seating and storage. Save money and space by using vintage pieces such as a small bench with baskets underneath.
For floor coverings we often recommend natural stone or porcelain tile. Both are durable materials that offer almost unlimited color and texture options and are easy to clean and maintain. And it doesn’t need to be the least exciting room in the house, it can be the best place to try a bold geometric pattern or add more color and warm things up with an area rug.
How can a mudroom enhance the enjoyment and functionality of your home? Give us a call at 937-914-3911 to book a free consultation and let us show you how you can incorporate a new mudroom into your kitchen remodel.
