A few months ago I shared such a fun project I got to work on, and now I get so show you the big reveal of this Mudroom Makeover! This frustrated Mom of two sweet little boys was tired of the piles of shoes, coats, and mittens always getting dumped into her back hallway. (Sound familiar?!) Every time they would come in from the garage into their home, they had no good place to put all of their gear.
As much as we would all adore an entire room dedicated to a full fledged mudroom…not every house has the space for it. Like many homes, she had a small closet in her hallway that was stuffed to the brim and thus everything got dumped on the floor instead. There was a small lift up seat but everything got lost inside and ended up not being very functional. This is how her room started:
I created a brand new floor plan for her, where I REMOVED the closet to give extra space for a narrow set of lockers, with one locker for each family member. I took what was empty hallway space and also squeezed in a bench, where she can sneak in extra storage underneath AND give her boys a place to put on their shoes and gear.
The Postbox Designs Mudroom Makeover:
For all of my clients, I always create two different versions for you! Both Mudroom Versions had a Fixer Upper style with Rustic Farmhouse furnishings, but still very neutral for her traditional style home. Every item I selected was meant to serve a function and hold up to two little boys!
Here is Version #1:
This durable woodgrain vinyl mudroom floor (#5) will hold up to Michigan winters and sandy summers-it is practically bullet proof! This striped rug (#7) gives some sparkle but is also an indoor/outdoor rug=easy to clean. I wanted to take advantage of the wall over her bench with this mini Command Center from Pottery Barn (#10) and soften up the space with these adorable budget friendly Target throw pillows (#4 & #6). Her existing hallway needed some flair, so I added wainscotting down the side (#8). These hooks (#8) are perfect extra storage and woven baskets (#2) under each locker holds shoes.
But what about a different look? Here is Mudroom Version #2:
This Mudroom Makeover version shows a few ways to update those infamous “boob” lights with these industrial style lights (#7 and #8). And this chalkboard combo (#9) is perfect for a quick grocery list. When my kids were toddlers there were days I never even glanced in the mirror to see I had spit up on my back or glitter in my hair! This beautiful mirror (#5) takes care of that problem! Plus fun hooks (#6) are perfect for guest coats. Even a hallway should have some decor (how many times a day do we walk down it?!) so this feather trio print from Target is a great and super simple touch (#2).
But with so many changes to such a small space, I wanted her to really be able to visualize what her Mudroom would look like! So I created this 3D Perspective that showed off her new room! These new narrow (12″ deep) lockers take the place of her former closet. I wanted to take advantage of her vertical space, so they stretch to the ceiling. I left the bottom part of the locker open for shoe baskets. The top part of the lockers can hold out-of-season gear.
I ONLY suggest doing mudroom lockers with doors. Honest to goodness. I know Pinterest always makes them look perfect. But believe me, there is nothing pretty about what is hidden behind those doors! It cuts down on the visual mess and you don’t find yourself “straightening” your kiddos coats and backpacks.
So I packed up all of her drawings, her Step-by-Step instructions, Floor Plan, and Shopping List (not shown) and mailed her entire Mudroom right to her!
After just a few weeks her project was done and this is what the final project looks like:
The Big Mudroom Makeover Reveal
With the closet gone, there was room for a set of lockers AND a bench across from them. I love having a mudroom bench as a place to drop your purse, put on shoes, plus you can add additional baskets under your bench for even more storage. For this room, we stained the top of the bench for an easy to wipe down surface for Mom!
This gold Target mirror was not only a great steal, but gives a place to take a quick glance in the mirror before jetting off. (Quick teeth check before heading off to an important meeting!). Plus additional hooks are a great place for guests to hang their coats. This gray and white striped rug is an indoor-outdoor rug which means it is easy to clean.
This simple oversized Roman Numeral print can be made for just a few dollars by printing off an “engineering print” at a place like Staples. This 24″x36″ print cost less than $5!
When you are tight on space, vertical space is your best friend!
I recommend creating mudroom lockers that are between 12″-24″ deep. To get maximum room in this mudroom, I designed 12″ lockers that are slim, but extend over 8′ to the ceiling. Inside each locker is a bench (a great place to add a bin for “catch-alls” like mittens and hats in the winter and sunscreen and sports equipment in the summer). There are also three hooks for backpacks and coats. Above the main part of the locker is “off season” storage. I like to put a bin in this top section of the locker to corral those extra supplies.
The biggest give away of “Builder Basic” finishes are those plain dome lights. Give your ceiling some love! She replaced her hallway lights with the industrial globe lights I found for her, and then added this larger chandelier style fixture in front of her lockers. You don’t think much about your ceiling until you put a gorgeous bit of eye candy up there!
Whenever I design mudroom lockers, I always leave the bottom part of the locker open. I suggest adding a wicker or metal basket to corral shoes (I know in Pinterest they show those shoes lined up beautifully at the door, but whose kids actually do that in real life?!). Kids can toss shoes in without looking messy.
If you skip the baskets, I would still suggest keeping the bottom part of the locker open. Wet or muddy shoes can be easily cleaned off this tile floor, but over time would damage the painted wood finish of a locker.
And not only did we update her Mudroom but her Hallway as well!
Here was her hallway before:
Instead of the plain-Jane 12×12 white tiles, I found these gray 12×24 tiles that add a little flair, but are still super easy to clean. When looking for tile, I suggest going for a medium tone: too light shows dirt, but too dark shows streaks and pet hair!
Adding this painted wainscotting gave her a customized look and made her hallway charming to walk down! I like going about 3/4 high to make your ceilings look taller. A great tip here: use a semi-gloss finish on your wainscotting and it is easier to wipe down than your walls! (I learned this trick after my third kid!)
Here is another shot of her lockers. While they only project out 12″ they are chock full of storage, providing her an extra 32′ linear feet of storage! Mudroom lockers are so much easier to organize than an entry closet. Plus, if you are able to give each person their own locker, it cuts down on your morning routine, you know just where to find it!
If you are tight on space, try having the parents share a locker.
To further jazz up her hallway, I found this trio of feather prints from Target. They came in their frames, so she just had to pop them up on her wall…instant art!
So there you go! You don’t need an entire room to create an organized mudroom! Using existing hallway space or removing a front closet can do wonders for your organization.
My three take-away tips for Creating a Mudroom from a Hallway:
#1 Go vertical. Use your walls for a mirror, a Command Center, chalkboard, extra hooks, etc. If you are adding lockers, make them go all the way to the ceiling, it doesn’t add tons of extra expense and you can never have too much storage.
#2 Give your lockers doors! Please. Please. Please. Just let that mess hide behind them!
#3 Give you hallway some flair. Adding wainscotting, artwork, or updating light fixtures can put your space over the top.
Want to see even more Mudroom Makeover Spaces? Check out my own personal mudroom that we converted from an unfinished breezeway. We added six lockers (one for each person + one for our pup), Command Center, and guest bench area. I added charging stations at the Command Center AND in each locker for those phones and IPads. Plus I painted my ugly concrete floor for just $80! Check it all out HERE!
I would love, love, love to work with you! It doesn’t matter your budget or your style, Postbox Designs can create your dream room in just three simple steps and at a fixed price. You will know exactly what you are going to end up spending…you are in control, I just get to do all of the fun legwork for ya! Find out more about the process at Postbox Designs or hang with me over at Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest where you get to hop inside my designer brain for free (watch out!)
Lauren VanTongeren says
I thought this looked familiar! I was there a few weeks ago! I loved the mud room–especially those doors on the lockers. Great job, Kristen!
PostboxDesigns says
Haha, that is so great! She was SO fantastic to work with and has fabulous taste, so it made it really easy…I’m so glad you liked it! 🙂