Designer: Anastasia Harrison of AHD&Co
Location: Colts Neck, New Jersey
Size: 86 square feet (8 square meters); 7½ by 11½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “This new-construction project aimed to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing mudroom from every angle,” designer Anastasia Harrison says.
Storage features. Floor-to-ceiling storage painted in Templeton Gray by Benjamin Moore. “The mix of open and closed cabinetry offers practical storage solutions for the homeowners’ coats, hats and more,” Harrison says. “Open shelving enables easy access to smaller items. It was important to have a mudroom that did not show all of the items but rather contained them with one locker per family member. We also added open mesh to the upper cabinets to allow for airflow so soccer shoes could dry properly.”
Other special features. Slate-look porcelain tile flooring in a herringbone pattern. Oak bench seat. Bunny-head-shaped hooks. “The client’s affinity for nature and small animals inspired us to infuse these elements into the mudroom,” Harrison says. “We discovered charming bunny coat hooks and a light fixture that beautifully captures this essence.”
Designers: Emily Lindemann (interior design) and Justin Bell (architecture) of Ruggles Mabe Studio
Location: Greenwood Village, Colorado
Size: 167 square feet (16 square meters); 6 by 27 feet, 10 inches
Homeowners’ request. “The entire design of the room was driven by the flooring,” architect Justin Bell says. “The homeowner wanted a space that had a historical feel to it while still offering ample storage. We sourced a reclaimed-brick flooring and installed it in a herringbone pattern, then incorporated almost-black built-ins. Open storage paired with large closed cubbies provides a functional space that is also beautiful.”
Storage features. “There are large closed cubbies flanking the left and right sides of the mudroom built-in,” Bell says. “This offers coat storage, shoe shelves and open cubbies above for baskets. The center of the cabinetry is an open space with a bench to sit down, open storage below for shoes and hooks for easy storage on the go. The darker color [Iron Ore by Benjamin Moore] offers durability for heavy day-to-day use.”
Designer tip. “I always like to incorporate a mixture of open and closed storage in a mudroom,” Bell says. “Closed cabinets provide practical storage for items like coats, shoes, etc. A bench is a must, as it gives a place to perch whether getting ready to head out of the house or dropping off as you enter the home.”
Designer: Kelly Mathioudakis Interior Design
Location: Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland
Size: 100 square feet (9 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted to create a multifunctional space that serves several purposes: a practical area for laundry, ample storage for cleaning supplies and family bags and a convenient charging station,” designer Kelly Mathioudakis says. “They envisioned this space to be light and bright while casual and comfortable, achieved by incorporating earthy tones and natural materials wherever possible.”
Storage features. Custom white oak cabinetry. “Each family member has their own dedicated storage locker with a charging station inside, and a spacious storage closet accommodates all cleaning and laundry supplies,” Mathioudakis says.
Other special features. Rustic limestone flooring. The opposite side of the room features a deep sink, a refrigerator drawer, extra storage and stacked laundry appliances.
Designer tip. “Incorporate windows wherever possible, as natural light significantly enhances the mood,” Mathioudakis says. “Also, to create a more spacious feel, increase the door heights. This simple adjustment can make a small area seem much larger and more open.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When we installed the tile floor, our goal was to achieve wide grout joints to highlight the tiles’ rough edges,” Mathioudakis says. “However, when the grout was applied, it spread too much, covering the desired texture. We had to remove a significant amount of grout to reveal the rough edges and achieve the intended look.”
Designers: Jamee Parish Architecture and Design and Brick Box Interiors
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Size: 50 square feet (4.7 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This house was built in the early 1900s, so there wasn’t a mudroom to speak of,” says architect and designer Jamee Parish, whose clients used Houzz ideabooks to help communicate their design preferences. “These clients always used the side entry door that enters the house at grade level, then you either go up to the kitchen or down to the basement. Essentially, walking into a stairwell every day. This is actually a tiny old porch that we enclosed to create this space. You still have to go up a few steps to the kitchen, but you enter into a space instead of a landing.”
Storage features. Individual open storage with large hooks. Closed cabinets. Cubby storage with wicker baskets below a dark-stained wood bench. “We wanted this to be a small mudroom with all easily accessible storage — bright and welcoming,” Parish says.
Other special features. Patterned encaustic tile flooring.
Designer tip. “The more natural light you have, the larger the space feels,” Parish says.
Designer: Matt Connolly of Pike Properties
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: 136 square feet (13 square meters); 8 feet, 2 inches by 16 feet, 8 inches
Homeowners’ request. This spec home was designed and built with a timeless style in mind that would appeal to a wide range of potential homeowners.
Storage features. Open lockers feature white oak battens set against a background painted in Benjamin Moore’s Black Beauty. The lockers are topped with a solid white oak bench stained in Rubio Vanilla. Dedicated shoe storage lockers keep footwear neatly arranged, while additional cabinetry ensures that everything has its place. The custom cabinets are painted a warm green-greige (Vineland by Benjamin Moore).
Other special features. The flooring is marble hexagonal tile. A desk area features white oak accents also stained in Rubio Vanilla.
Builder tip. “Carry patterns throughout different areas of the home,” builder Matt Connolly says. “The white oak batten that we incorporated into the lockers was also repeated on the kitchen island. This consistent pattern creates a cohesive look throughout the home without being overly uniform.”