Designer’s guide on turning a standard coat closet into a Mini-Mudroom
Does your home lack the luxury of a sizeable mudroom? Newer homes have this feature as a non-negotiable, but older homes often lack these transition areas that hold kids backpacks, sports gear, your hang bag and junk mail that still needs to be opened. Transforming a coat closet into a mudroom can be a practical and space-saving project. A mudroom serves as a transitional space between the outdoors and the indoors, helping you keep your home clean and organized. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create a mudroom from a coat closet:
1.) Start with a clean slate
Sometimes easier said than done, but empty everything in the closet and organize the “stuff” into piles. This will help you design your new Mini-Mudroom to maximize storage and ensure there is a place for everything, which makes putting things away MUCH easier!
Designer Jessica D'Itri Marés of Renovate 108
2.) Create your design
Use as much verticle space as possible.
Account for everything you need to store.
Add shelving, hooks, baskets and cubbies to maximize your linear inches of storage, we are stretching this closet/mudroom to organize alot of items! I like using baskets you can see into, especially for kid’s stuff.
Consider adding a floating bench for seating and rember storage for shoes!
If you are keeping the door intact, use the back of the door for additional storage.
Add labels - this helps kids, spouses and your in-laws de-clutter your home for you! (You’re welcome!)
Design by Chic and Jo
3.) Select your materials
Saturated paint color
Don’t be afraid to use a saturated paint color to hid scuffs from bags and shoes. A deeper hue will make the space feel cozy and inviting.
Fun wallpaper
Wallpaper can be the traditional kind, or you can do peel and stick. I prefer traditional wallpaper that is “pre-pasted” as you can spray it with water and don’t have to deal a messy adhesive. I also use this opportunity to “up cycle” excess product from other projects since you only require a small amount of material. Be sure you select something washable!
Select a finish for your metal hooks
I typically select more contrast for a mini-mudroom closet so the hooks are easier for both adults and kids to find. On my version, I selected an antique brass that brings out the gold tones in the wallpaper. Look for hooks that take up a smaller area and have multiple hanging areas to maximize the amount of items you can hang.
Design by @houseofsmith
4.) Add lighting
You can add a door switch so the light turns on automatically when the door is opened, or you can add a small table lamp to one of the shelves. I got these amazing battery operated LED strip lights you can mount to any surface. They are motion activated and turn off after 25 sectonds of no motion.
Click on the image to purchase direct from Etsy!
5.) Smart Home Integration
Be sure to incorporate smart home technology to charge and put devices away for dinner and family time! I like this as a retirement spot for kids and parent devices at the end of the day. Out of sign, out of mind is a real thing! Since your floor footprint is limited, make sure to use your wall space in clever ways like adding a wall charging station. Just make sure you have access to electrical nearby.
