Mudroom Cubbies
For adequate storage in your mudroom, cubbies are a must. Whether you need to corral shoes, mittens or sports equipment, cubbies are a good way to contain items while maintaining easy access to them.
20 Hard-Working Mudrooms
See All PhotosTo achieve the maximum in flexibility, you can design and build (or commission) cubbies that are adjustable. The needs of those in your household will change over the years, and having adjustable cubbies as well as shelves will help ensure that your mudroom organizing system will stand the test of time. In designing your cubbies with a carpenter (or before you build them yourself) keep in mind what you plan to store in them, and measure accordingly.
Consider your family's needs and activities. If you have kids who play sports, a tall cubby into which they can prop baseball bats and tennis rackets, complete with a basket to hold balls and helmets, will help keep those items off the floor. Have a separate cubby below a sitting bench for cleats and other shoes. Hooks fastened into the back and sides of a locker-style cubby will hold backpacks, dance and swimming bags, as well as jackets and umbrellas. Add as many hooks as you think each family member will need. Also, make sure your tall cubbies or lockers are tall enough for sports equipment as well as adult-sized coats, and be sure shoe cubbies are tall enough for boots.
You may also want to include a charging station for mobile phones, laptops and tablets. If so, plan spaces that will fit these items, and don't forget to provide access to electrical outlets. It's good to have these types of cubbies at eye level for easy reach.
It's logical to store shoes and boots in cubbies that are close to the floor, typically underneath a bench. To make sure shoes are easy to reach no matter how many pairs are shoved into the cubby, install a shelf on wheels that can be pulled out. The drawer may be designed without a front to keep shoes hidden from view. You can also install slide-out baskets to hold gloves, scarves and other small items.
If you are limited on space and simply need a place to store shoes, you can purchase a set of stackable cubbies. And remember that your cubbies and sitting bench don't have to be together in the same unit. If you have space in your mudroom or entry, build an entire wall of cubbies and build or place a sitting bench along a perpendicular wall. A full wall of adjustable cubbies will truly maximize your mudroom's storage space.
See also: Mudroom Planning Ideas