Designer: Danielle Steiner of Hopedale Builders
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: 83 square feet (7.7 square meters); 8 feet by 10 feet, 5 inches
Homeowners’ request. “This mudroom entry was part of a greater addition off the rear of the main house,” designer Danielle Steiner says. “The homeowners have two small children and wanted a place to store all the jackets, shoes and backpacks, yet be a fun and inviting entry space to greet family and friends. The space is large enough to accommodate a group of people going in and out without feeling crowded.”
Special features. Blue frameless cabinets (Denim, Crystal Cabinets) with custom cutouts in the doors. Chinoiserie wallpaper. White oak bench with open storage below for shoes and other items. Shiplap backing. Coat hooks. Hanging rod inside the cabinets. “Since most of the other rooms in the house were planned to be light and neutral, the homeowners wanted a bold color and fun pattern,” Steiner says.
Designer tip. “I would recommend routing the mudroom cabinetry doors or drawers with a simple pattern for a custom look that also allows ventilation for coats, shoes, etc.,” Steiner says.
3. Pink and Blue Details and Patterned Flooring
Designer: Micaela Quinton of Copper Sky Design + Remodel
Location: Atlanta
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters); 4 feet, 10 inches by 12 feet, 5 inches
Homeowners’ request. “This space before the renovation had miscellaneous furniture, recycling, shoes and many hooks for the homeowners’ collection of vintage aprons and umbrellas,” says designer Micaela Quinton, who collaborated with her clients using Houzz ideabooks. “They needed a better solution for storing these items while also having a transitional space from the kitchen to the back entrance.”
Special features. Light pink wainscoting, cabinets, bench and trim (Loveable in satin sheen, Sherwin-Williams). Light blue walls and ceiling (Open Air in satin sheen, Sherwin-Williams). Recycled-glass hexagonal floor tile in white, pink, burgundy, blue, mustard and turquoise in a custom pattern. “The built-in bench with shoe baskets below has a scalloped motif to tie in with the scalloped brass hood in the kitchen and other scallop features throughout the project,” Quinton says. “The cabinet built-in in the corner has a tilt-out door for recycling. The brass hooks provide ample space for hanging and displaying the collection of vintage aprons.”
Designer tip. “Even a narrow space can be functional and provide a considerable amount of storage,” Quinton says. “Opt for custom built-in cabinetry to elevate the space and make best use of every nook and cranny.”
Designer: Heather Vaughan Design
Location: Newton, Massachusetts
Size: 120 square feet (11 square meters); 10 by 12 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The house is an 1890s Victorian,” designer Heather Vaughan says. “This room was part of a whole-house renovation and extensive addition. The homeowners wanted the mudroom to feel as if it could have been original to the house but refreshed for this young family.”
Special features. Cool blue-gray cabinets (Parma Gray, Farrow & Ball). Walnut cabinet interiors and bench top. Custom copper boot pan. Patterned hexagonal concrete floor tiles. “This young family wanted mostly closed storage with a small landing area for cellphones, keys and mail,” Vaughan says. “Each family member needed their own cubby with hooks and baskets on the interior.”
Designer tip. “Creating a charming window seat between the cabinets makes the space more inviting and gives a perfect spot to put on your shoes,” Vaughan says.
Designers: Kristen Panitch Interiors and Tim Barber Architects
General contractor: Drake General Contractor
Location: Los Angeles
Size: 49 square feet (4.6 square meters); 6 feet, 10 inches by 7 feet, 2 inches
Homeowners’ request. “When the homeowners purchased this historic 1921 Mediterranean Revival residence, the building was already under a Mills Act contract,” general contractor Gary Drake says. “Within this program, the owner is required to gain city approval for any changes to ensure the integrity of the home is upheld. The goal of this project was to ensure the original character and design of the home was respected and restored to align with the Mills Act.”
Special features. Navy floral-pattern wallpaper. White custom wainscoting. Plaid bench cushion with magenta tones. Deep red rug. Stained-glass window. “Storage is offered under the bench to tuck away shoes and with the hooks to hang coats before entering the main house,” Drake says.
“All original steel windows were restored to working order and damaged glass was replaced,” architect Tim Barber says. “And vintage vents were sourced to match the original vent patterns, and we had custom vents made where sizes did not match.”
Designer: Dana Bass Designs
Location: Plano, Texas
Size: 175 square feet (16 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “Their favorite color was green and they wanted something fun and exciting to turn this boring, unused space into something functional,” designer Dana Bass says.
Special features. Blue-green cabinets (Lagoon by Sherwin-Williams) with locker-style storage, metal mesh inserts and deep drawers below a bench. Handmade Mexican tile flooring. “We played with pattern on the floor, painted the cabinets and provided lots of hidden storage for all of the family’s sports and activities to reduce the clutter,” Bass says. “We also placed the cabinet hardware horizontal for a fun and different feel.”
Designer tip. “Always play with scale,” Bass says. “The ceiling was high, so we added taller cabinets. We also added a bench on one side to sit on and gained an extra drawer.”