Entryway Makeover: Small Mudroom Ideas
Create a clutter-free entry zone.
No matter what size entryway you have, furnishing and designing your mudroom can maximize the space. The first step is to determine what tasks you want to be able to accomplish in your mudroom. At a minimum, you'll want a place to drop off muddy shoes and boots, raincoats and umbrellas, and backpacks and other items family members bring into the house and drop by the door. Our sample homeowners’ home didn’t have a large entry off the back door, so they spruced up their landing area to allow for some basic necessities without sacrificing style. A few simple updates, and this space looks amazing!
Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
Painting a space is one of the most affordable ways to make a dramatic difference in a space. This back entry had old panels painted a yellow color. These homeowners were able to transform the area with a fresh coat of white paint. As part of a bigger renovation in the breakfast room, they also removed the tongue-and-groove ceiling to make the ceiling level from the back of the house through the breakfast and kitchen area. The faux brick that was on the lower half of the wall got primed and painted the same color as the walls for a seamless look. The wood floor and stairs also got a fresh coat of paint using a special floor paint.
Stair railings can really date an area. The stair railing in this back entry was not secure and featured a traditional style. The homeowners used paint to update the railing to a more minimalist, streamlined look that still matched their front staircase. The wood floor and stairs also got a fresh coat of paint!
Now with a fresh coat of paint and new stair railings, it was time to focus on the functionality of the space. There was nowhere to hang coats or put their shoes when the homeowners entered the home. When the exterior renovations were done on this house, the window on the left wall was eliminated. This left a hole in the paneling that needed to be covered, so this became their new mudroom space with plenty of storage hooks and baskets for each member of their family to hang coats and keep gloves in the winter months.
To finish off this space, a new back door and light fixture were installed to create a beautiful back entry. The homeowners painted the door black for a little contrast to the all-white space, which balanced out the black cabinets in the kitchen. And they hung a gold light fixture to match the breakfast room lighting and provide a little contrast in mixed metals.
Overall, this space went from a boring, mixed/matched, and completely nonfunctional space to a beautiful, compact mudroom that provides the homeowners with the space they need to enter and exit their home more comfortably.
Ashley is the voice behind the Design & DIY Blog Cherished Bliss. She has been blogging for over 10 years where she loves to inspire people to turn their house into a home with realistic DIY Projects and affordable design ideas. She has been recognized by multiple media outlets including Better Homes and Gardens, Country Woman, and Good Housekeeping. Follow along with her designs on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
