23 Beautiful Mudroom Ideas That Make the Most of This Catchall Space

Utilize Both Open and Closed Storage

Open storage is a mudroom essential since it allows for easy drop off of coats, jackets, and bags, but don't forget to install plenty of closed storage, too, says interior designer Lauren Coburn. "Without ample closed storage, your beautifully designed mudroom will start looking messy and won't be appreciated for its beauty," she says.

Use Baskets to Keep Organized

Baskets are an organizational must-have, and they're especially useful in a mudroom setting, as pictured in this beautiful green mudroom designed by Bria Hammel Interiors. They provide a designated home for a hodgepodge of belongings, streamlining sight lines and helping you find what you're looking for in a pinch. Consider designating a basket for each person in the family.

Embrace a Colorful Palette

Neutrals are great but don't shy away from color if that's your thing. Having a colorful mudroom can instantly infuse a sense of joy and energy into an otherwise utilitarian space.

"So often it’s the first thing you see when you enter the home, and color choices have a psychological impact," says Denver-based interior designer Andrea Monath Schumacher. "Consider your mudroom an opportunity to make a statement, create a mood, and showcase individual style."

Hang Some Fun Wallpaper

You can also personalize your mudroom by hanging some statement-making wallpaper. "Wallpaper and fun trim color is an easy way to jazz up a mudroom space," says Grace Brackman of Maggie Griffin Design. "Yes, they are utilitarian areas of the home, but they don't have to look that way!"

Opt for a Tranquil Theme

Consider taking your cue from a soft and earthy palette. "This mudroom, painted a soothing pale blue with a hint of gray, welcomes you into the home and blends seamlessly with the soft blues and greens throughout the interior," says Stacy Millman, owner of SKM Design, LLC. "Upon entering, you instantly experience a casual, relaxed, and effortless way of living."

Fuse It With Your Laundry Room

For a mudroom at the side or rear entry of a home, consider adding some extra utility. "Many of our clients often have a hybrid station as their mudroom, combining a mudroom and laundry room," says NYC-based luxury designer and builder Elizabeth Vergara of Vergara Homes. "We’ve built some very beautiful built-ins that house the laundry area with a washer, dryer, and utility sink, making it so convenient to tackle and conceal laundry."

Install a Sink

Utility sinks can get a bad rap for being a bit unsightly, but you don't have to choose the standard oversized basin for your mudroom. A quick upgrade allows you to enjoy a beautifully designed space that's high-function, too. Here, a petite, two-legged console sink was chosen for this country cottage-inspired mudroom created by Tom Stringer Design Partners.

Turn a Closet Into a Mini Mudroom

Not a lot of space to dedicate to a full-sized mudroom? Transform your entryway closet into a small-sized version. Take your inspiration from this closet makeover from Maggie Griffin Designs, which incorporates a bench, steps, wall hooks, and a small table to create the perfect drop zone.

Or Create a Mudroom Corner

Another way to utilize your entryway space is to create a mudroom corner like this one dreamed up by Bria Hammel Interiors. A simple bench and a wall of hooks acts as a sufficient drop zone between the front door and the rest of the home. Baskets and bins tucked under the bench or on a shelf create more opportunities for organization.

Tie the Design Into the Rest of Your Space

Mudrooms can certainly serve as isolated spaces with their own sense of style—similar to a jewel box bathroom—but you'll still want to consider ways to create cohesion. "[A unified] approach connects different areas of the home and ensures a consistent design language throughout," Monath Schumacher says.

Make It Chic and Sophisticated

There's a specific image that comes to mind when we think of mudrooms—and it's not wrong—but don't feel like you have to follow the same path. Take this elegant design by Kligerman Architecture & Design, for example.

"A mudroom could be treated as another special entry to a home and could be elevated with pieces you love," says Mia Jung, the firm's interiors director. "Instead of a conventional wooden bench or a built-in cabinet, you could have artistic items."

Install a Free-Standing Organizational System

Built-in storage is definitely on the splurgier end of the spectrum—and often a bit more challenging to pull off logistically—but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy ample storage space. Opt for a free-standing organizational system, like the one used in this design by Tom Stringer Design Partners.

Add a Cozy Bench

Freestanding or built-in, seating areas make it easier to remove and put on shoes. They're also a great place to sit and wait for others before you dash out of the house. This beautiful mudroom by interior designer Lauren Coburn incorporates a built-in bench nook among closed storage.

Make It Pet Friendly

Shoes aren't the only thing that can track muddy messes (and otherwise) into your home—pet paws are just as guilty! "A dog shower is a great addition to a mud room," says interior designer Liz Williams. "If the space allows, add a dutch door or a recessed gate. This is a great place for dogs to dry off before entering the rest of the house. Dog beds and feeding stations can also be incorporated."

Install a Cat Den

Those with felines roaming the house may find it useful to keep the kitty litter tucked into a little cat den in the mudroom. This conceals the box and also helps keep stinky smells at bay. Plus, the proximity to doors helps streamline the not-so-glamorous chore of cleaning the litter box.

Provide Cubbies for Everyone

A fun way to keep your mudroom organized is to create a cubby for each person in the family to store their jackets, shoes, bags, and other accessories. You can opt for open cubbies, as pictured in this design by Bria Hammel Interiors, or consider enclosed lockers or cabinets for a concealed approach.

Leverage Vertical Space With Wall Hooks

Hooks allow you to get the most out of the room by leveraging vertical space. Simple and inexpensive to install, this high-utility addition to a mudroom offers the perfect resting place for bags, jackets, dog leashes, hats, and more. And you can even opt for some fun options, like the ones installed in this design by Studio Seva.

Lean Into Your Personal Style

Mudrooms are your opportunity to get creative and lean into your own personal aesthetic. "In this historic Wyoming ranch, turning the homeowner's collection of cowboy hats into an art installation not only adds a unique and personal touch but also serves as a focal point in the mudroom," says Monath Schumacher. "This kind of creative thinking can transform an ordinary space into something extraordinary, reflecting the homeowner's personality and interests."

Display Your Favorite Art

An alternative to displaying a collection (of cowboy hats or anything else!) is to simply display some of your favorite wall art. A colorful collection of five travel-themed images sits on a ledge in this smart mudroom designed by SKM Design, LLC.

Have Fun With Your Lighting

Another fun way to bring some character into your mudroom is to switch up your light fixtures for something that feels more on-brand with the rest of your home. A stone-colored farmhouse light looks handsome in this classic mudroom designed by Lauren Pressey.

Lay Down a Durable Rug

Rugs serve two primary purposes in a mudroom: aesthetic and utility. Along with catching dirt and grime, it's an opportunity to level-up your mudroom design. Here, a funky checkerboard rug pairs perfectly with this white and cream-themed space.

Make a Statement With Fun Flooring

Flooring in your mudroom should be highly durable and a cinch to clean. Beyond that, the world is your oyster. Consider a splashy, statement-making geometric tile like the one pictured here by SKM Design LLC.

Add Thoughtful Touches Throughout

The key to making your mudroom feel inviting and homey is to incorporate small, thoughtful details throughout the space. This might be a fun piece of art, a door handle that feels like jewelry, or wall hooks that deviate from the expected.

"We’ve created dramatic rooms in dark blue hues, with ambient lighting and marble countertops, as well as brighter spaces with soft overhead lighting, bright, inviting color palettes, and thoughtful decorative touches like rugs and cushions that make the mudroom feel welcoming," says Vergara.