5 Design Mistakes You Might Be Making in Your Mudroom

Not Considering Placement

If you’re renovating or building a home from scratch, keep mudroom placement front of mind to ensure it’s in a space where you’ll easily be able to conceal clutter. “We designed our mudroom so that it is the first room we walk through when we come in from the garage, which is every day, all day,” designer Kristin Glandon explains.

Glandon shares that as the mudroom can become a messy spot, it's best to keep it separate from rooms in the home that tend to stay tidier. “We knew we were going to use our mudroom a lot, but I wasn’t prepared for just how much and how messy it would be," she says. "My biggest takeaway would be to design a room that has some separation from the entry so if it gets messy (which we all know it will), there is a door to close.”

Forgoing Sufficient Lighting

Don’t hold back on light fixtures when it comes to the mudroom, designer Anne Sage notes. “It’s one area where you definitely want tons of illumination because mudrooms can so easily become cluttered and dirty,” she says. “Not only does proper lighting help you find things in the clutter, but also it helps you see into the nooks and crannies when you're giving it a thorough cleanup.”

Don’t be afraid to have some fun with the fixtures you choose—just because a mudroom is largely utilitarian doesn’t mean it has to be boring. And on that note….

Skimping on Style

Mudrooms deserve to incorporate pretty touches. Notes designer Kelly Hurliman, “I’d like to see cabinetry painted a pretty color, some wallpaper on the walls, or an unexpected pattern on the floor to add interest to even the smallest of mudrooms.”

Not Thinking About Outlets

If you’re constructing a mudroom, don’t forget to consider outlet placement. “The more outlets the better, as it's a great space to dump electronics to charge out of sight,” designer Erica Burns says. “We often put them inside of each cubby for things like tablets, and in closets for the handheld vacuums as well.” 

Keeping Belongings Out in the Open

You’ll also want a space to be aesthetically pleasing with belongings tucked away as neatly as possible. “People go for open hooks versus closed cabinetry, and it’s so much better to not see all the stuff,” Hurliman adds. “Build it into your budget if you can to add doors and hide the clutter.”

Designer Whitney Durham agrees. “I always encourage clients to add cabinet fronts to help camouflage book bags, coats, shoes, sporting equipment, and the like,” she notes. “Mudrooms are both functional and visually appealing this way.”