Mudroom

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I’ve wanted to share my mudroom for quite some time now. For some reason I hate the title “mudroom”, but it completely fits the description and function of the way we use the space. It’s casual. It’s usually a little messy. It’s a catch-all for our shoes, bags, outerwear, dog toys / leashes, and things we tote to and from work on a daily basis. It’s also Finn’s favorite hangout- 90% of the time he can be found napping under the bench (proof below). Unlike it’s counterpart, the front entryway, the mudroom is probably the most highly trafficked area in our home.

This room is in a strange spot because it’s directly in between the main living level and the basement. Basically, you can either go up into the mudroom or down into the basement. The awkward layout left us a with a weird amount of negative space upon opening the back door. I decided a hanging pendant would help to draw the eye downward, along with custom art thanks to my friend Jessica…you might remember “Derby” from Instagram. The combination helped to anchor the space and create a better balance. Take a look:

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Above all, I really wanted this room to be very functional, but durability and style were a close second. I’m extremely happy with the large scale art that hangs on the largest wall. It remains one of my favorite DIY projects. I ordered an engineer print of a photo I had taken a few years back in California. Props to my husband, Kalyn, for building the frame and sourcing the glass.

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Mudroom

Without room for shelves or built-ins, a bench seemed like the obvious piece of furniture for the mudroom. We use it A LOT: to take a seat, to put on shoes, kick shoes off, and to pile our stuff. It’s especially handy when bringing in groceries.

Mudroom

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Mudroom

We’re always coming and going in a hurry, so naturally this tiny room tends to look disheveled. I should also mention, with the season change and spring temperatures, the mudroom is actually muddy- there have been an abundance of paw prints marking the floor. Since the space is so small, I used baskets, hooks, and a freestanding coat rack to maintain a bit of organization.

I’ve always been captivated by a good and quirky hook; after finding three interesting cows, I sprayed them all black to create a cohesive look prior to installation. They’re the perfect size for keys, dog leashes, and smaller items.

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Another way to add interest to a boring entryway or mudroom is by painting the door an interesting color. Even though this isn’t the main entrance to our house and the door isn’t very special, we use it frequently and wanted it to be fun. This room is also the perfect space for plants because it receives so much natural light. Of course Finn had to sneak into one more photo since this room is his domain:

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Mudroom

How do you keep your entryway or mudroom looking tidy and neat? Which area in your home receives the most foot traffic? I’d also love to hear about your favorite organizational pieces. Maybe the next item for the mudroom should be a mail holder?

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14 Comments

  1. Beautiful space! Would you be willing to share the names of your paint colors ? The bench is fabulous; Hoping to hear more about this piece in a future post :)

    1. Thanks, Kate! Of course- paint colors are: Benjamin Moore Shaker Beige and Glacier White. The bench is actually from CB2; it was an inexpensive find! xo

  2. Hi – saw your mudroom on Interior Collective – I’ve been hunting for a bench like yours for a while! Can you share the source? tx!

    1. Hello, the source is CB2. Thanks for reading!

  3. I only came across your blog last week and I’ve really enjoyed looking through your posts – your home, and the photography, are beautiful. I haven’t come across the term ‘mud room’ before; in the UK it’s called a ‘boot room’. A little UK fact for you there!

    1. Thanks so much, Belinda! I’m going to start calling it the boot room ;) very fun!! xo

  4. Hi! I love the wind farm photo. Any chance you sell prints?

  5. Hi, very cute room. Love the idea of the cows for keys/leashes etc. Are you abel to share where you purchased them from and the umbrella stand? Thank you!

    1. Thank you, Teri! The cows are vintage and the umbrella stand can be found here. xo

  6. Can you tell me where you purchased your coat stand? It’s hard to find cute, sturdy one and I really like how yours is a nice combination of modern and industrial.

    Thank you!

  7. Where did you get that rug? I love it.

    1. Thanks Mel! It was from West Elm about 5 years ago. I don’t think they make it anymore, sorry! xo