MUDROOMS AND SUCH
A mudroom is an entry area or room off a secondary home entry, with access from the outdoors via the garage, the side of the house, the rear of the house or the laundry room. It’s a utilitarian space, generally used for shedding wet or dirty clothing; storing such things as vacuums, mops, and brooms; keeping family winter or sports gear; or in a mudroom/laundry combination room doing laundry. However, despite their practical function, today’s mudrooms can be beautifully designed.
New Designs and Builds
If you are considering a mudroom for your newly built, or newly renovated, home, consider a mudroom/laundry room combination. Today’s laundry rooms often have extra wall and base cabinet storage, and so features such as drying rods, sinks, countertop folding areas, and under- counter pullout hamper storage can easily be added.
Or how about adding a bench with drawers? Not only can you sit on a bench to pull on your Wellies, but the pullout drawers can store utilitarian items such as light bulbs, batteries, extension cords and even summer barbeque tools, and totes full of easily lost items, like mitts, gloves, slippers, and flipflops can be stored underneath!
Flooring
One of the prime things to consider in a mudroom is flooring; after all, a mudroom is specifically meant to be a space to shed muddy, wet, or snowy clothing. Linoleum or tile is ideal, but there are also some great, water-resistant, durable, luxury vinyl plank options if you prefer a wood look. With periodic cleaning, such choices will get you through Alberta’s winter season and ensure that your floor holds up to repeated onslaughts of dirty, muddy footwear not to mention the dripping raincoats and umbrellas caused by playing with the grandkids in Alberta’s spring-melt puddles!
Mudrooms at Any Entrance
A mudroom is meant to keep items organized and help reduce stress, but mudrooms don’t have to be elaborate or large. With some simple tweaks, you can easily create a drop zone for shoes, jackets, and backpacks at any door.
If you want to make a mudroom style entry at your front door, for example, and changing your flooring is not an option, start with durable, water-resistant mats (with rubber backing to protect your floors) and then add a bench, some hooks for coats, a shelf for hats and keys, some cabinets for jackets and sweaters, and/or baskets for gloves and scarves. You can even create space for artwork, or notes and memos for your family!
With increased functionality, and stylish design, your mudroom will become an important part of family life!
Karen Horte, DID
karenhorteinteriors.ca
Instagram: @karenhorteinteriors
