Greetings from the United Kingdom! By the time you all are reading this, this Hadley Court contributor will be in London scouting out the newest, hippest, chic-est, happenings in the world of design. Many of our trends-turned-classics originate in Europe where much emphasis is given to design and the craftsman. I can’t wait to share all my findings with you. In the meantime, I thought it would be fitting if we focused on the mudroom… After all, London is known for its overcast, often-rainy days.
We do have our share of rain in the States as well, and we all need a place to house our Hunter rain wellies (pumps, tennis shoes, soccer cleats, etc.) One of the hardest areas to keep clean and organized is the mudroom, especially when children (young and old!) come into the picture. You would not be alone if you said that your mudroom looked as though a tornado blasted through with shoes, jackets and backpacks strewn across the floor, leaving a much better trail than Hansel and Gretel ever could have hoped for.
There’s no reason not to treat your mudroom as you would any other room of the house. Paint your walls, add an area rug if you wish – Just be sure that it’s weather-friendly and can withstand dirt, mud and water. Hang artwork on your walls. Depending on the size of your mudroom, a small table on which to place keys, letters, and the like is always a good idea. You just want to be sure that this doesn’t become another area on which to pile things. A seat or a bench for people to put on and take off shoes and boots not only make this space cozy, but practical. If using hooks, either in cubbies or on the wall, make sure there are some low enough for younger children to hang their coats on by themselves. Baskets, and containers neatly aligned, make a great place to store mittens and any oddball item – even a backpack, if large enough. If your space is not large enough for cubbies, a nice looking trunk or storage bench is a great way to collect backpacks and keep them out of sight. Boot trays offer children an instant place to deposit their footwear, and keep mud confined to one area.
We hope the images below do inspire you. The key to a tidy mudroom is to have it well organized – a place for everything and everything in its place.
images via: Lonny, Houzz, Martha Stewart, Tumblr, Country Home, Houzz