If you're considering making home improvements or are looking at a new home to purchase, you may have wondered "What is a mudroom? Should I have one in my home?" Well, you're in luck - we've thoroughly researched this topic and brought together the most relevant information right here in this article. We've done our best to make it easy for you to learn more about mudrooms and decide whether or not it's the right choice for your home.
A mudroom is a small room, usually 6' x 6' or 8' x 8', located just inside the most frequently used door in a home. It's designed to protect the cleanliness of your home by keeping dirt from the outdoors in one place. Mudrooms usually feature lots of organizational features such as cupboards, cubbies, and wall hooks, all designed to keep outdoor gear organized and away from the clean interior of your home.
We shared the basic definition of a mudroom, but you probably have lots of other questions. So, we've tried to answer as many of those questions as possible in the rest of this article. You'll find advice for designing a mudroom, information about the value they add to your home, common sizes and prices, and even more. Let's get started!
Where Is A Mudroom Located In A House?
Since the purpose of a mudroom is to protect the clean interior of your home from the dirt of the outside world, they're typically located just inside the most frequently used door in the house. Although this is sometimes the front door, it's also common to see a house with a formal foyer at the front door and a more casual mudroom at the back, often near the garage.
What Are Mudrooms Used For?
First and foremost, mudrooms are used to keep the rest of the house cleaner by trapping dirt from outside in one space. They're also a good spot to store things like coats, boots, umbrellas, bags, pet supplies, and sports gear. If you have kids, mudrooms are also the ideal place to store backpacks, notebooks, and other school supplies.
Although a big focus of mudrooms is keeping the rest of the house cleaner, maintaining organization in the mudroom itself is a priority as well. For this reason, they often have built-in cupboards, closets, wall hooks, and benches that help keep your belongings neat and organized.
How Big Is A Mudroom?
The size of a mudroom varies, but most are either 6' x 6' or 8' x 8'. In general, you'll want it to be at least 5' wide. This gives you 3', which is the standard width of a hallway, plus 2' of room for a bench or built-in cupboards.
Providing enough space to hang wet clothes so they can dry is an important thing to factor in when thinking about how big you'd like your mudroom to be. If you have enough space, you also might want to make your mudroom big enough to accommodate bicycles and scooters, a washer and dryer, or a pet washing station.
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Mudroom?
Depending on whether you're building a new addition or simply renovating an existing space, the cost of adding a mudroom can vary. Remodeling an existing space - perhaps a closet or breakfast nook that doesn't get enough use - can cost as little as $2,000 or $3,000, while building an addition that requires insulation, plumbing, and electricity can rack up the costs to $10,000 or even $12,000.
Do Mudrooms Add Value?
It's pretty unanimous - adding a mudroom will almost always add value to your home. A big part of their appeal for homebuyers is the built-in storage and organization features that most mudrooms include. Plus, a well-designed mudroom looks appealing and inviting, which is important to people who seek to make a good impression on others as they enter their homes.
However, if you have a small home, a mudroom might not add value because it could be seen as space that could have gone to something more important. This is especially true if your mudroom could be converted to create more space in the kitchen or living area.
What Do You Put In a Mudroom?
When designing a mudroom, first think about the things you'll need to store in it. Getting a good idea of this will help you narrow down the storage features you may need. Here are a few of the most common:
Wall Hooks
Wall hooks are a standard mudroom feature that can be used to hang coats, jackets, bags, and pet leashes. You can mount them onto a decorative board or directly on the wall.
Click here to view these wall hooks on Amazon.
Bench
A bench provides a convenient spot to sit as you put on or take off boots and shoes. Bonus points if you find a bench with interior storage space! Our article White Storage Benches For Your Bedroom has lots of good bench ideas.
Click here to view this bench with built-in storage on Amazon.
Shelves
Shelves are a classic storage solution. Store items on them individually or add baskets for increased organization and style.
Click here to view these shelves on Amazon.
Entryway Table
An entryway table is a small, narrow table that can also be used in the mudroom to hold keys, mail, a lamp, or even a plant. Our article How to Decorate an Entryway Table [8 Actionable Suggestions] has lots of great ideas to help you decorate your table.
Click here to view this entryway table on Amazon.
Built-In Or Freestanding Cupboards
Built-in cupboards are a great way to keep off-season and rarely used items organized and tucked away. You could also use them to store hats, gloves, and other accessories.
Click here to view this cupboard on Amazon.
Built-In Closet Or Freestanding Armoire
A built-in closet will keep your coats and jackets neatly hidden and out of the way. If you live in a rainy or snowy climate, lining the inside with tile or waterproof paint might be a good idea, so you can simply let wet coats and clothing drip-dry.
Click here to view this armoire on Amazon.
Cubbies
Cubbies are a classic way to give each member of the family a convenient spot to store all of their outdoor necessities like purses, backpacks, briefcases, and wearable accessories. They're especially popular in families with kids, since they're fun to use and make it easy for even the youngest members of the family to stay organized.
Click here to view these cubbies on Amazon.
Locker Niches
In a sports-loving family, a locker niche - basically a larger version of a cubby - might be a good choice. They create the perfect spot to store baseball bats, tennis rackets, or swimming towels.
Click here to view these locker niches on Amazon.
Pet Washing Station
If you have sufficient space and a mud-loving dog, a pet-washing station might be a worthwhile investment. These typically involve tiling a corner of the room to make it waterproof and adding a shower hose to make baths easy.
Click here to view this dog washing shower sprayer on Amazon.
Shoe And Boot Rack
A rack for your shoes and boots keeps them - and any dirt and moisture they might attract! - organized and off the floor. Just make sure to add a waterproof boot tray beneath the rack to catch any drips.
Click here to find this shoe rack on Amazon.
Click here to view this boot tray on Amazon.
Mail Organizer And Key Rack
If you have a large household that gets a lot of mail, the mudroom is the ideal place to add a mail organizer. You can simply walk through the door and file your mail, plus you'll never again need to worry about important letters getting lost. Most mail organizers have an attached key rack, giving you two useful products for the price of one.
Click here to view this organizer on Amazon.
Coat Tree
A coat tree is a classic, slightly old-fashioned yet very functional alternative to wall hooks. It's the perfect spot to hang coats, bags, and umbrellas.