Mudrooms serve a valiant purpose in the home. These rooms are often multi-faceted; dual-serving as laundry rooms, storage closets, and sometimes make-shift offices. So, you need to pay attention to what kind of mudroom furniture you purchase. Unfortunately, an unorganized mudroom often turns into a perpetual eyesore where clothes, boots, supplies, and dirt is quickly shucked off until the next activity.
As if regular-sized mudrooms aren’t challenging enough, small entryways pose several hindrances that make them seemingly impossible to organize. This article discusses the essential mudroom furniture items that can transform your small, chaotic space into a thriving hub.
5 Mudroom Furniture Items for Your Small Space
Item 1: Hall Trees
One of the most popular mudroom furniture pieces is a hall tree. A hall tree is an all-in-one system designed specifically for entryways. Hall trees feature all of the staple pieces necessary for mudroom organization: shelving, seating, and storage. These systems come in all shapes and sizes, usually spanning between 24”-72” in length and can be up to 72” high. Hall trees are also very convenient for homeowners to find, usually featured in most furniture and home improvement stores.
However, sometimes a pre-fabricated hall tree simply will not work for a small space. If you own a narrow mudroom or share the room with a laundry set, this item can be bulky and will not aid the main function of the room. However, there are several DIY plans that you can use to create your own customized hall tree.
If you’re handy and there is enough width to install one, you can easily create a hall tree yourself that will cater to your mudroom’s specific size. Remember that a mudroom doesn’t necessarily need to be separated from the rest of the house. You can implement a small hall tree to create a transition place wherever there is an area off to the side, such as a stairway closet or a wall in the entryway.
Item 2: Shelving
Like a hall tree, freestanding shelving can be difficult to fit into small mudrooms. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your shelving solutions. If your mudroom is a laundry combo, consider installing cabinets or hanging shelves above your washer and dryer. Not only does this organize your laundry supplies, but you can stack essential items, such as boots, gloves, or other outdoor necessities.
IKEA offers shelving and cabinet solutions that one can easily customize for a mudroom’s needs. Ikeahackers.net offers several plans that can transform the Besta and Pax system into multi-functional storage solutions. Alternatively, if you have enough space, you can use an inexpensive cube storage unit. These units are perfect for toy or shoe storage and when paired with decorative storage bins, they can hide any unsightly clutter.
If your mudroom simply can’t afford regular shelving solutions, consider installing a simple hanging shelf. You can purchase wall-mounted shelves from most retailers or create your own by using a DIY plan.
Item 3: Hooks
Hooks can be one of the most efficient, inexpensive mudroom furniture items you purchase. Even if your mudroom is too small to allow for full shelving units, hooks allow you to make use of the vertical space in the area. You can hang hooks individually or use a rack system.
Individual hooks can create a unique, asymmetrical design while racks can be used to hang small items, such as keys or school lanyards, or larger items such as coats or backpacks. However, if you choose to hang backpacks, be sure to reinforce the rack system by screwing it into a stud or by installing anchors.
When planning your hook or rack system, consider multiple rows of hooks or shelving/rack combinations. Be sure to hang less necessary items on top and keep everyday use items within arm’s length.
Item 4: Entryway Benches
A mudroom is the first place you have the opportunity to sit down and unwind. Minimize the chaos by implementing an entryway bench into your mudroom furniture design. Ottomans are the most common form of storage benches. These benches can hold items inside or under the seat and are usually furnished with a comfy cushion.
If an ottoman is out of the budget or requires too much space, consider using a regular bench. You can place a boot tray below the bench to create shoe storage or leave it bare for a clean, minimal design.
Item 5: Closet Solutions
Sometimes a mudroom is simply a transition hall from point A to point B. If a single closet is the only space you can call a “mudroom”, don’t despair. You can still apply all of the concepts above to your closet space. If you own a standard-sized closet, consider a wooden closet storage solution like the Pax system to give the illusion of built-ins.
For smaller or unique closets, you can try the Rubbermaid Homefree system. This is an adjustable closet solution that implements telescoping racks: no cutting necessary. When all else fails, you can simply equip the closet with freestanding mudroom furniture pieces, such as hooks and cube storage units.
Putting It All Together
Mudrooms shouldn’t be a place of perpetual trip-hazards and chaos. Start your day off right by creating a fresh, efficient entryway with these simple mudroom furniture pieces. Hall trees offer the most inclusive solution but can be difficult to fit into small spaces. You can make up for this by creating your own or by separating the key elements, such as hanging shelves, individual racks, and entryway benches.
If your mudroom consists only of a closet, consider using a closet solution or implement freestanding shelving units and racks. Whether you own a spacious entryway or a cramped niche, don’t let disorganization and clutter get the best of you. Revamp your space with mudroom furniture and take control of your entryway.
