Here is a secret that some homeowners know and others merely suspect: the mudroom is the lynchpin to keeping the whole house cleaner. A well-thought-out mudroom can act as the gatekeeper for keeping clutter, dirt, and disorder out of the house.
It might seem like a mudroom in a place with long, cold winters works hardest during the winter season, but the mudroom also earns its keep in the summer when family members come and go more frequently and track all sorts of different dirt and debris through the door as they do so.
Make a plan to keep your mudroom tidy this summer so you can reap the benefits all through the house, and focus on these five tips to make it happen.
It is always easier to keep things neat and tidy when it takes less effort. If you have to search for a hanger or a hook for your rain jacket because your ski jacket is still front and center in the cupboard, you might give up (or the kids will). When you live somewhere with distinct seasons, take advantage of the urge to start fresh in spring by gathering up all the cold winter gear: heavy coats, snow boots, scarves, mittens, and hats.
Ideally, these off-season items can be stored in the mudroom itself but tucked into an out-of-the-way space. If you find you have no space to do anything but push winter outerwear to the back, consider adding custom storage to solve this seasonal headache.
Think vertical if you feel like you’ve already maxed out the space. Incorporate custom cabinets that match or complement your existing mudroom storage all the way up to the ceiling. Off-season storage doesn’t have to be convenient to reach because you won’t need access to it all summer long.
Speaking of storage, plan ahead for your family’s needs whether you’re designing a mudroom from scratch or simply looking at your existing mudroom and realizing it no longer makes the grade for the way you currently live. A mudroom designed when kids were toddlers may not accommodate middle schoolers who participate in a different sport every season.
Talk to a professional about building or redesigning your mudroom to include custom storage for each family member. When everyone has a spot for their sandals, beach bag, and lacrosse stick, there will be no excuse for leaving them on the floor right inside the door.
Consider specific features that will make life easier for every family member like built-ins to hold keys, a pull-out bin or drawer for the dog’s leash, treats, and wipes for messy paws.
The mudroom is a cleaner house workhorse because it can stop dirt and clutter before it ever makes it past the door. Make it easy for members of the family and guests to stop and take off their shoes by including a built-in bench. Insist everyone wipe their feet by buying one or two durable mats.
With summer comes a particularly sneaky enemy to clean houses everywhere: sand. You don’t have to live on the coasts to experience a sandy summer. Any trip to the lake will mean sand on your floor. Insist everything that went to the beach stays in the mudroom. Buy a bin or basket cute enough to be in the open and drop beach towels just inside the door.
Remove obstacles to cleaning up the inevitable sand and spills of summer by designing your mudroom to be a breeze to clean up. When designing custom storage cabinets, wire one so you have an outlet to store a cordless vacuum. Include a broom and dustpan for quick clean-ups. Install wire shelves in a designated cabinet to hold the cleaning supplies you’d need to give the mudroom a quick clean-up any time you need it: glass cleaner for the mirror, a Swiffer, and some sanitizing wipes to start.
Consider durable fabric for any bench cushions in the mudroom. Use indoor-outdoor material, so you don’t have to stress about spills or smears or the dog jumping up on the bench as soon as he comes in the door.
Invest in an inexpensive but design-friendly indoor-outdoor rug in addition to the mat where people can wipe their feet. Some outdoor-friendly rugs can even be taken outside and hosed off when needed, but you’d never know it by looking at them.
Less is not more when it comes to storage. You’ll never regret having enough innovative storage options in a workhorse spot like the mudroom. Talk to a professional who knows their stuff about built-in cabinets that reflect your style and meet your storage needs. Use wire shelving inside cabinets and cupboards to save money and allow for airflow. Wire shelving systems can include various bins, pull-out shelves, hanging rods, and hooks to accommodate all your mudroom storage needs.
Talk to the professionals at Harkraft about how your mudroom could work harder and look better this summer. We know custom storage better than anyone in the Twin Cities, and we’re here to help you meet your mudroom goals this summer. Contact us today.
