April showers bring May flowers… and mud. Is there a space that can help you to stay on top of the mess? YES!
Every year, when spring arrives, so does the rain. While showers of water are better than ice pellets or snow, there is one significant side effect to spring and that’s mud. Muddy boots, muddy shoes, muddy paws… It’s everywhere and if it’s not kept under control, it will seep past your appropriately named mudroom and into the rest of your house.
There are some easy ways to keep the dirt at bay though and turn a drab mudroom into a functional and, dare we say, pleasant space? If you want proof, check out Apartment Therapy’s Before and After mudroom makeover:
Apartment Therapy’s Mudroom Makeover
Creating The Perfect Mudroom Tip #1: Even If You Don’t Have One!
Whether you have a designated mudroom, with four walls and a door, or an entranceway at the back of the house, you can create a space that works as a mudroom for your family.
Some very enterprising people at Makeit-Loveit.com have even created a mudroom within a front hall closet: it’s an !nspired piece of design!
The key to a great mudroom is to make sure you decide what items stay in the space and what must be taken out, every day by every member of the family.
Creating The Perfect Mudroom Tip #2: Keeping It Organized
Avoid insurmountable clutter by starting off on the right foot. For example, during wet weather, if the rule is that the designated dog walker has to come through the mudroom, you will need to also have a basket for putting the muddy towel that was used to clean up Fido’s paws! That is, unless you have a mudroom equipped with a paw bath, as California Home Design featured:
Even without the perfect doggy shower, complete with window, there are some easy ways you can keep your mudroom clean and organized.
1 – Hooks — Have hooks handy for coats and handbags or backpacks.
2 – Shelves with Baskets or Drawers — You need a place to store all the little things. Mittens, scarves and hats should all have a designated spot so that they can be easily retrieved every day. If the space allows, individual cubby holes for each person in the family keeps the arguments (“Mom! Jeremy’s using my hook”) to a minimum.
Picture from Stonebreaker Builders via BobVila.com
If space doesn’t allow, a great option is making sure everyone has their own drawer in a small unit.
3 – A Laundry Basket — Dirty mitts, doggy paw towels and the like should have a spot to go into that doesn’t involve being dumped on the floor!
4 – An Umbrella Stand — If you live in the Pacific Northwest or other rainy spots, an umbrella stand is a must have to avoid puddles forming on the floor!
5 – A Bench — Keeping a bench where everyone can sit and remove their mucky footwear or put on snow pants is ideal and much more practical than having someone hopping around on one foot, trying not to track muck everywhere!
!nspire tip: By the door leading out of the mudroom, have a mat for indoor shoes or slippers so that they can be slipped on before moving on into the rest of the house. Want to offer your guests indoor footwear too? You can get stretchy sock slippers and keep a stock in a basket for those who might want to put some on!
Creating The Perfect Mudroom Tip #3: Keeping It Clean
Flooring that is easy to clean is paramount in a mudroom. You don’t want to spend hours every week scrubbing between the tiles. This colorful design from Country Living is a lively option made from linoleum tiles, which ads a major contrast to the understated walls and doors.
Boot mats or trays are also an important addition that help keep the mud and muck in the winter and spring under control. It’s best to have absorbing or rubber mats for placing wet or muddy shoes and boots. If the mat can be reached from the door, you can minimize the number of prints, and resulting filthy socks, all over the floor.
It’s entirely possible to live with spring mud and still keep things neat and tidy. How do you keep the mud under control in your home?