A mudroom may have different uses and perks for different families. Some families use a mudroom simply to store or clean shoes thoroughly before entering the home. On the other hand, some families use mudrooms to store shoes, coats, backpacks or hats and mittens. Consider the following uses for a mudroom and the ways that this room can make your life much simpler.

1. Keep Outside Mud and Dirt Out

The first use for a mudroom is to keep mud and debris out of your home or living spaces. In the winter or spring, keeping mud or slush out of your carpet can be a challenge. When you have a mudroom you can easily prevent shoes from carrying mud into your carpeted areas. By removing shoes in the mudroom your carpet will stay clean much longer. Think of how much money you will save on carpet cleaning alone.

2. Provides Extra Storage Space

“Storage, storage, storage” is the mantra for a neat and sane home. You can never have too much of it. A mudroom expands your current storage area, providing extra space to keep your things. Not only is it an extra storage space, it is a convenient one too. Instead of opening closets and shelves inside the house to place things in, you simply hang them on low hooks or place them on an open shelf even before you enter the house. This is especially handy when you have kids who might be too lazy to go open a closet and hang a coat.

3. Better Organization and Neatness

Without all that stuff coming into the main living area, your home looks neater and more organized. You no longer have to go on a breathless rush to collect things lying around when a guest suddenly shows up. With the improved organization, it becomes easier to find things quickly without wasting time checking under the couches and behind furniture.

#Mudroom Planning Guide

A few ideas to help get you started with your new mudroom:

• The ideal width of a mudroom is at least 5 feet wide. This allows two people to enter the house together or one person and some pets. Even though the rear door is 3 feet wide, the space should not feel crowded
• The other important measurement is the minimum length of the mudroom. That is 11 feet. This allows for storage and more storage: cabinets, lockers or closets, shelves, cubbies, a bench, and an umbrella stand. Often forgotten in the thoughts about storage is enough space to allow wet garments or boots to dry.
• If possible, plan on creating a shallow powder room.  This prevents tracking through the house to use the bathroom. If space does not permit, consider installing a corner slop sink for washing off muddy or wet boots, feet or paws. These are available through commercial plumbing supply stores. Alternate idea is a small corner shower pan with a lower faucet to handle wet needs.
• Think through the direction of the door swing. Do you need a pet door attached to the door? Also make sure that the threshold height is high enough so the door does not fight with the door mat or rug when opened.
• Allow for an abundance of electrical outlets. Here is one space where there can never be enough. A strip of outlets on the counter can handle the recharging of electronics. Think of electrical needs for automatic pet feeder, boot dryer, vacuum cleaner that are often housed here.
• Surfaces should be easy to keep clean. The choice of flooring is wide but think non-slip and easy to maintain. If using tile, find grout the same color as tile so it too will not look dingy from heavy wear. Walls need heavy-duty paint for the same reasons.
• A mudroom could also incorporate the washer and dryer; either stacked in a closet or side-by-side under a counter.

If you want to know the mudroom designs,this video may inspire you.