I live in Bozeman, Montana. We have four seasons here in the mountains. Often, we experience all of the four seasons in one day. So we need to keep several jackets/fleeces/vests handy for each person in the house. The number of garments adds up fast for a household of 4! And don’t get me started on the footwear…. we need an easy place to keep and access all the coats, shoes, boots, mittens, snow pants, backpacks, etc.
When I first started my business as a custom builder, I went to a lot of open houses (and I still do). I noticed that homes had little to no storage where the family would enter the home. Most houses had a small tiled area and a coat closet by the front door (where guests enter) and a washer/dryer by the door to the attached garage (where family enters). Now I don’t know about you, but when I come home after a long day at work and I have the kids and the shopping with me and dinner on my mind, the LAST thing I want to see when I walk in the door is the laundry. When I walk into my house (usually from the garage), I want to feel happy and welcomed. A big ol’ pile of laundry doesn’t do it for me. A beautiful, functional and organized mudroom is square footage that pays big dividends for your family life:
- All the outerwear and footwear are in one place, makes things easier to find
- Storage can be organized by item or family member or activity
- A ‘Shoes-off’ home is cleaner and healthier as well as easier to keep clean and maintain
- Less clutter in other rooms of your home
- Easier for everyone to get out the door in the morning or for activities
The kind of mudroom I am talking about usually needs to be more than a few feet of wall space with a couple of hooks. A really useful mud room is part of the traffic flow and functionality of your home. Depending on your family’s needs it might include shelving, cubbies, drawers, hanging space and hooks. Hooks are great for quickly hanging up the coat you have on and they are easier to use than hangers, but you will need at least one hook per person, at the appropriate height. Boot trays and open shoe shelves are easier than boxes. The easier it is to put something away, the more likely it is that the putting away will happen, and this does not just apply to kids. Ventilated drawers or trays are great for gloves, hats, mittens and scarves that might be damp. Bins or bags for sports equipment need a shelf for easy access. I also like a door so I can keep the contents of the mud room contained and out of sight.
A mudroom designed for your family and lifestyle will pay off in more time, less clutter, less frustration and more daily happiness in your busy life!
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