How To Style Your Mudroom: Tips for a Space That’s Both Beautiful and Hardworking

Your mudroom is the first impression your home makes, and the last thing you see before you head out the door. It doesn’t have to choose between pretty and practical. With a few thoughtful touches, it can be both. Here are my favorite tips for creating a mudroom you’ll actually love walking into every single day.

What is a mudroom, and why does it matter?

A mudroom is a transitional space, usually near a back or side entry, that acts as a buffer between the great outdoors and the rest of your home. Think of it as your home’s “decompression zone”. It is a place to kick off muddy boots, hang up wet coats, and leave the chaos of the outside before stepping into your clean living space.

When we built our home, a mudroom was non-negotiable. I wanted ours to work double duty as a butler’s pantry, too – housing our microwave, toaster, and extra kitchen storage. It had to be functional, of course, but it also had to feel like a room I was happy to walk through every single day.

6 Ways To Style Your Mudroom

When we built this new home, I knew it had to include a mudroom. It was important that this space not only as a mudroom for hats, jackets, and shoes. It had to double as a butler’s pantry too. A place for our microwave, toaster, and extra kitchen items. Most importantly, the space had to be functional yet stylish.

During the construction phase of the home, the bench was built. It was a reasonable option, and we went for it. You could build your own to save money.

Add Paint or Wallpaper

You can select a beautiful paint color or add wallpaper for great texture or create visual interest. Small rooms such as a mudroom are perfect to add wallpaper.

The wallpaper in the room is called Harmony by York Wallcovering (now available as “Honeybee” Peel and Stick Wallpaper). This wallpaper is extra special because it was designed by my daughter-in-law, Jennifer Sweeney. She works for York Wallcoverings in York, PA. The wallpaper pattern was perfect to incorporate into this space. From a distance, it looks like geometric design until you get close up and see four bees. How fun is that!

Add Bench Cushion and Pillows

You can make your own bench cushion or simply add pillows. This cushion was a custom order in a durable Sunbrella Canvas Charcoal. It adds a soft place to sit and put on your shoes.

Add Storage Baskets

Storage baskets are perfect to hide the clutter. It also adds texture to the room. These baskets are the perfect size to hold shoes, hats, dog stuff, etc. For instance, one of the baskets holds suet packs for the outdoor bird feeder. For storage in the bench cubbies, these large utility baskets are 16″ W x 13″ D x 10.5″ H) and the perfect fit. Measure your cubbies and look for baskets to fit your space.

Add More Storage

You can add a piece of furniture or shelving for extra storage. In this room, an antique painted sideboard is perfect for storing kitchen linens and extra dishes. We also opted to put our microwave and toaster in this room to free up space in the kitchen island and on the counter.

For even more storage, two white oak 48” floating shelves were hung on the wall. These Brighton Floating Wood Shelves from Pottery Barn are heavy and beautiful. It’s a perfect place for plants and other décor items.

Decorate It For The Seasons

This space is fun to decorate for the seasons. Here a few fall pillows, pumpkins, and other Halloween items make this room fun for the fall.

In short, a mudroom is a great place for keeping your home clean and organized. It creates a designated drop zone for all the messy stuff you bring in from outside and prevents dirt, mud, and clutter from spreading throughout the house. With a mudroom, you can kick off your muddy boots, hang up your wet coat, and leave your backpack without creating a mess. It’s a small space with a big impact. This small room offers lots of benefits for keeping a tidy home environment.

Have a wonderful day, sweet friend!