Mudrooms have many uses.
For a lot of people, the mudroom acts as the midway point between the inside of an apartment and the outdoors. It’s a place to take off your shoes and hang up your coat before you venture further into the apartment.
But, it’s easy for the mudroom to become cluttered and messy. With all of those shoes coming in from outside, it doesn’t take much for your entryway to get dirty and disorganized.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to prevent yours from becoming an eyesore.
We’re about to discuss seven mudroom organization secrets that’ll make your entryway prettier and more functional.
Soak up these tips and you’ll be an organization pro before you know it.
1. Get a Bench
It’s always nice to have a place to sit down near your entryway.
Some shoes are a pain to put on or take off, and a bench is a perfect solution.
Beyond adding a place for comfort, it’s also ideal for storing and organizing belongings. If you buy a bench with shelving underneath, you and your guests will have a place to keep your shoes.
Then, you won’t have to worry about your mudroom being overtaken by dirty boots!
Grab a few baskets or containers and slide them under the bench. If you have enough space for a couple of large baskets, even better. Larger baskets are perfect because you can store a lot more inside them.
You can store other things besides shoes in your baskets, too. Sports equipment, backpacks, and other cumbersome items can go underneath your mudroom bench.
If you or your kids have a tendency to misplace things, this is a useful technique because you’ll always know where the items are.
2. Invest in a Skinny Bookcase
Slim bookcases are an excellent storage solution. They help to keep things tidy, and they’re easy to fit almost anywhere.
If your entryway is small, that’s all the more reason a slim bookcase may be the perfect solution. It should fit in well in the entryway and makes it easy to store and find the essentials when you need them.
There are a million narrow bookcases out there, so it should be easy to find one that complements your mudroom. And if you have the DIY bug, you could even build one yourself!
Another idea is to find a skinny bookcase with a finished exterior. You could turn it on its side to create a bench with shoe cubbies.
The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to get creative!
3. Stack Up Wooden Crates
If you can find some affordable wooden crates, then you’re in luck. It turns out they’ll be perfect in your mudroom.
Here are a few ways to decorate and store items with wooden crates:
- Stack them to create a vertical locker
- Place them side-by-side to make a bench
- Put them on a rolling cart that you can push through your apartment
Crates, of course, are perfect for storing items. They can hold whatever you’d like to have in your mudroom.
For example, you can put rain boots on one shelf and leave another shelf for bags and purses.
Focus on dedicating each crate to a common theme. If needed, put a few baskets in the crates for better organization.
You don’t want the crates to look cluttered, so don’t put any more in your mudroom than can comfortably fit. If your entire “mudroom” is the size of a washing machine, you might not have room for a full-size bench — but you can still keep a crate around for shoes.
4. Add a Message Board
Whether you live by yourself or with a roommate, having a board near your entryway is an excellent idea.
There are many types of message boards, such as burlap, chalkboard, or dry erase board to suit your needs. You can even make a DIY bulletin board if you’d like!
After the board is hung up in your entryway, you can use it for multiple purposes.
Here are a few ideas:
- Bill reminders
- Meeting times
- Cleaning schedule
- Sporting events
No one likes forgetting something important. That’s why you should use a message board to keep you organized!
5. Hang Some Wall Hooks
Wall hooks are a necessity in any mudroom. Where else are you going to hang your jacket and scarf when you come in on a cold winter day?
Now, keep in mind that adding wall hooks to your wall is likely going to need screws. So before you cause any damage to the walls in your apartment, check with your leasing office to make sure it’s okay.
If they don’t want you drilling into the wall, then you might consider a freestanding coat rack or a bulletin board with pegs. These are both drill-free options for organizing outerwear like coats and umbrellas.
A well-organized mudroom is truly a blessing. There’s nothing nicer than walking in the front door and being greeted by a clean and clutter-free entryway.
But to get your mudroom in order, you’ll have to do a bit of work. You’ll have to hang some wall hooks, invest in a few storage solutions, and pick up a bench or two.
Remember, you can have an appealing entryway that is also functional. The idea is to keep things tidy and organized, and these secrets will help you do that.
[Author bio]
Jenny Bullock graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University and works with Broadstone Briar Forest to make life better for their residents every day.