So, about mid project into the board and batten, I promised my husband that I would slow the project train down a bit. It was an easy commitment, considering I was knee-deep (not really, but it felt like it) in sheet rock dust, tools, plastic, paint, and my kitchen table *turned children-fort* was in my living room for 2 weeks. I am now having a bit of trouble following that through, because the mess is gone, and it looks amazing. And I figure… It is worth it. It is worth the mess and the chaos, because soon enough, the mess is gone, and you are left with something beautiful. And of course, this is easy for me to say, because I am the “brains” behind the project, and generally, my husband is the muscle.
So, as soon as I get the courage, I am going to kindly ask (slash-manipulate) my husband into starting on the laundry/mud room. The only thing I don’t absolutely looove about my new house is that it lacks a mud room. You enter a laundry room from the garage, but it is quite small. I want to come up with some great ways to organize it, so that I can use it for kids dirty, muddy, wet clothes, backpacks, coats, etc. And I somehow don’t really want it to be full of dirty clothes…. (laundry service?)
Here are some really great mud room *slash* laundry room ideas that I want to beg/borrow/steal for my home.
Entire Wall
Not all of us have enough space to make the whole wall next to our entrance a place to hang and organize things, but if you have the room then go for it! Hooks keep the coats and backpacks organized and little cubbies under the bench keep stray and dirty shoes from wandering all over the house!
Divided
If you have a lot of people coming in and out of your home, then this is a great idea! It is a mudroom with divided compartments that, if you want, can be assigned to each member of the family. No more running around to find someone’s shoe or lost backpack; it’ll all be right there!
Side Room
Sometimes we don’t have enough space next to the entrance to make a mudroom that’s actually usable and uncluttered. However, if you have a room off to the side, then just use that! Have cubbies up high and down low to maximize storage space!
Hooks
Hooks are a GREAT idea for a mudroom! Put them on the walls, and even on the back of the door. This helps maximize space while keeping the ground pretty cleared up and free of clutter.
Entryway Bench
Build your own mini mudroom with this beautiful entryway bench! It provides a place to sit, store shoes and backpacks, hang up coats, and so much more! Add some baskets up top for even more storage space!
Mini Closet
If you want to keep your hanging clothes and jackets hidden, then install a miniature closet. It can be tall and thin (whichever dimensions best fit your mudroom) and wedged between benches and other storage devices.
Island Bench
If your mudroom isn’t set up to have a bench against the wall (or if the bench will cut off your ability to maximize the space you have) then just put the bench in the middle! This works great if you have two walls you want to utilize or a door that opens to the side of your mudroom.
Scott & Kerry says
Hi Melanie – out of curiosity, the third picture (1st column, 2nd row) – where did you find that? That’s exactly what we’re looking for, as we’ve got about 4-5′ to work with as well….
Thanks!!!