It might seem as though it takes a lot of work to keep your house uncluttered and organized. While in some cases this may be true, in most cases it only takes a few simple changes. We all have that one room in our house where everything that doesn’t seem to have a proper place ends up. This could be your spare bedroom, crowded basement closet, or even your mudroom.
Your mudroom shouldn’t be used as a catchall area for all of those extra items you don’t know where to put. The mudroom or entryway is likely one of the first places you and your guests enter through the house. Who would want guests thinking that you’re an unorganized slob if your entryway is extremely cluttered and messy? We’ve got you covered when it comes to deciding what becomes unnecessary to store in your mudroom.
While it seems smart to have all of your kids’ sports equipment and holiday decorations in one area, having seasonal items and sports equipment taking up space in your mudroom is unnecessary. If you don’t have a space for these items, consider amping up your garage storage. Having plenty of garage storage can help ensure that you’re keeping your home free of unnecessary clutter. You don’t want to be working around your kids’ hockey sticks or ice skates in the middle of the summer.
Food might seem like an obvious thing you wouldn’t store in your mudroom, but sometimes gets overlooked. Keeping food near your entrance where you’re tracking dirt and debris in and out all day long can cause it to spoil quicker. Opt for a pantry just near the kitchen in order to keep your food fresh and free of germs.
If you have a lot of kitchen appliances, such as a blender, mixer, or toaster don’t store them in your mudroom. Like food, you don’t want your appliances to be getting dirt and debris all over them. This will cause you to have to clean them more often, even if you haven’t been using it. Plus, if you don’t have enough room in your kitchen to store your expensive juicer you use once a year, do you really need it anyway? Take a moment to consider selling or donating unused appliances.
Sometimes your mudroom can double as a laundry room, making it easy to just leave freshly clean clothes, towels, or linens in the area. When you are entering in and out, you track dirt and debris into the room. This can cause your fresh, clean towels or linens to become dirtier quicker. Keep these in a separate location, perhaps in a linen closet near your bathroom, in order to keep things fresh for longer.
If you are struggling to keep your mudroom organized, or you completely lack thereof, perhaps redesigning your current space or creating one will be in your near future. Having a mudroom can help keep the rest of your house clean by keeping items such as backpacks, coats, and shoes dedicated to one area, rather than being thrown sporadically throughout your house.
In a mudroom, you should utilize as much vertical space as possible. Create lockers that you and your kids can hang your bags and coats in. Also, benches that double as storage or shelves that can fit baskets will be a lifesaver. Storage spaces that have a dual purpose are extremely functional, but can also provide an aesthetic appeal.
When it comes to staying organized, always try to put things in their specific place right away in order to minimize clutter. Create zones for each family member to keep their specific items. This will help keep items from finding their way around the house to a minimum.
Keeping a mudroom clean and organized can be hard if you just don’t have enough storage options or the design isn’t functional. If you’re struggling to organize your mudroom, look no further! Harkraft can help get your mudroom organized or even help you create a new design for the space. With over 50 years of expertise, we can help maximize your mudroom or storage in the most efficient way. Call us today or contact us online to request a design consultation.
