38 Mudroom Storage and Decorating Ideas

According to Caroline Grant and Dolores Suarez of Dekar Design, a mudroom doesn’t always have to be an area of your home closed off from guests. Instead, you can make it multifunctional, like this office-mudroom they designed. "We chose a versatile desk that disguised as a console table when not in use," they explain. Reclaimed wooden shelves and dark brackets above the desk add warmth, while colorful wallpaper makes the space feel inviting.

Pro tip: "Wallpaper will also give you something beautiful to look at while working! We love adding character to smaller spaces," say Caroline and Suarez.

Don't be afraid to integrate your home's style and personality into your mudroom design. Design blogger Kristin Salazar designs her mudroom as a direct reflection of her home's shabby chic charm, while still using it as a functional entry storage spot. Rather than wasting wall space, Kristin adds a small shelf to house charming decorative accents.

Designer Jo Gick turned her mudroom into the ultimate DIY hub—and it looks awesome. A vintage fixture lights up her brand-spanking-new space, while a 10-lite pocket door painted navy (Parisian Night by Dunn-Edwards) offers a view into the cute pantry. Joe also created her own wallpaper: "A watercolor artist I found on Etsy designed this pattern, then I had it made by Spoonflower," she tells HGTV Magazine. Finally, she had cement tiles in solid blue, gray and white laid to make the fun gingham floor.

When designing a mudroom, think of how your children will use the space. Jeffrey S. Brown, president of J.S. Brown & Co., says, "Most parents tell us their children do better with open areas because they are more likely to hang their coat on a hook than to open a closet door and pull down a hanger." In this situation, low-hanging hooks are the best option. Kids can easily hang their bags and coats on rows of hooks and kick off their shoes below. Designer Sarah Richardson's walk-through mudroom is the perfect example of a low-maintenance entry with kids in mind.