subject: Adding A Mudroom To Your House [print this page] Very few older homes were built with a mudroom in mind, but they can be very useful. Mudrooms provide a handy transition from the outside to the indoors and they are great for storage of coats, shoes, umbrellas, and other items that leave the house frequently. If you're planning a remodeling project, see if you can add a mudroom into the plan. Ideally the mudroom should be adjacent to the kitchen; some homeowners also combine mudrooms with laundry rooms to make it that much easier to shed dirty clothing.
Planning: How are you going to use a mudroom? Your family's needs dictate how the room is configured. If you live in a snowy area, you will need storage for boots, parkas, and other winter-time essentials-maybe even a boot drier. If you have pets, you might need a spot to wash off the dog or to store a litter box. If you have kids, you'll need hooks that are lower than standard height, spots for backpacks, and storage for outside toys.
Storage: The primary function of most mudrooms is to store the gear that goes in and out of the house frequently. At the least, you'll want shelves or cubbies-some of which should be low to the floor for shoe storage and some should contain baskets for small items like mittens and scarves. You will also want some hooks for coats, backpacks, and dog leashes. Families with kids like to give each family member his or her own storage area or cubby.
Flooring: One theory behind a separate mudroom is-as its name implies-that it accumulates the dirt and water so that they don't get tracked around the rest of the house. That means you want a mudroom floor that is easy to clean and slip resistant. Tile, rubber, and vinyl are good choices, which are not very expensive. A bristly welcome mat can provide a place to clean off shoes before removing them. If you have a rug, make sure it is slip resistant and machine washable. Some homeowners even install a drain in the middle of the room and slope the floor toward it. Walls should be washable as well, so use high-gloss paint or vinyl wallpaper.
Other Elements: Some people like to have a sink or a small shower area for washing off the dog. A small bench is a handy place to sit when taking your shoes on and off. A shelf near an outlet can provide a location for recharging phones, iPods, and other gadgets. Many homeowners include a mirror for checking your appearance before you leave for the day. Be sure to include a hook for storing keys and a spot for a laundry basket so kids can divest themselves of dirty clothing right away.
