Mudrooms are secondary entrances aimed at keeping dirt and water out of the house. (The one in the house I grew up in is between the garage and the kitchen.) They're there for utility, but these examples show you can always accomplish that goal stylishly. Just look at those yellow hooks in the first image and hardworking slate floor in the second.
Even if you don't technically have a mudroom, the principles for organization apply for any main entryway, multipurpose laundry room, or, for many renters, whatever wall is nearest the front door. Hooks, catch-alls, and shoe storage are key, and choosing ones in interesting colors and textures will make these functional items more fun.
MORE MUDROOMS ON APARTMENT THERAPY
• 19 Mudroom, Laundry and Garage Organizing Tips
• Affordable Entryway & Mudroom Essentials: 10 Sources
• How To: Mud Room Lockers
• Ashli's Teeny & Charming Mud Room
• 10 Tips on Making a Mini Makeshift Mudroom
• Make a Closet into a Mudroom
(Images: 1. Real Simple 2. HGTV 2011 Dream Home 3. via A Mad Tea Party with Alis 4. Sunset 5. Better Homes and Gardens via Centsational Girl 6. Liz Caan Interiors via Decorpad 7. via Habitually Chic 8. Elizabeth Dinkle via Haus and Home 9. Martha's Vineyard Magazine 10. Mini Manor for Apartment Therapy)
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I think I'll use photo # 8 as inspiration. Good post .
When I was a small child, I attended a small private school for two years-- the entry for little children was "around back" into a part of the building that was ancient. Just off the main hall was a wide beautiful dark wood space -- the light fixtures were nice old gas lamps redone for electrics. There was a oval leaded glass window at the far end of the space. Along the wall - cubbies for gloves and scarves, special shelves for hats, and rows of lovely decorative old hooks.There were boot mats on the floor -- It was called "The Cloakroom" -- which of course to a small child sounded like something out of a storybook. ( For years afterwards I wanted a cloak.) I am planning to create a mudroom area just inside the back entry , but I'm going to call it the cloakroom.
Sigh -- we wanted a mudroom SO BAD but that was one of the features the house we bought didn't offer. We don't even have a foyer. And there's really nowhere good to put anything like this without significant remodeling that just wouldn't be worth it. This post inspires so much organizational jealousy, haha! Good thing we at least have a coat closet. :)