01

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Small Mudroom Design

JEFF HERR 

Just because a space is small doesn't mean it should be boring. Inject color and pattern for a quick entryway pick-me-up that will boost the overall appeal of your home.

The Best Moody Paint Colors of 2024

02

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Small Mudroom with Floating Bench

Jay Wilde

A floating wood bench is a practical solution for a small mudroom. It offers seating, a convenient surface for mail and packages, and underneath space can be used for storage baskets organizing shoes, seasonal accessories, and pet items.

The 10 Best Storage Containers Our Editors Recommend

03

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Yellow Dutch Door

David Greer

A cheery yellow Dutch door is a fun and functional feature in this small mudroom. The bright color injects a big dose of character and the two-part door design allows you to keep the top open to allow light and fresh air in, while keeping the bottom portion closed to prevent pets and kids from getting out.

04

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Small Mudroom with Stone Flooring

Karyn Milet

Channel a sophisticated country house aesthetic with white-painted wall paneling, a neutral color scheme, a built-in storage bench, and stone floors. The natural look and irregular shapes of the stones give the small mudroom unique character. Stone is also durable and will withstand daily wear and tear.

05

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Coat Rack and Bench

Christopher Shane

Sometimes known as a hall tree, this coat rack offers hanging space for coats, bags, and accessories, along with shelves for shoes and a bench to sit on or place mail. It's a space-saving solution for a small mudroom as it efficiently uses vertical wall space, and is renter-friendly, affordable, and easily removable.

The 7 Best Coat Racks to Keep Your Entryway Tidy

06

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Small Mudroom with Wall Paneling

John Granen

Incorporate wall paneling to add visual interest to a utilitarian space like a mudroom. This built-in hall tree features a V-shaped design adding a subtle pattern that transitions seamlessly into shelves at the top and drawers at the bottom, unified by a consistent paint color.

07

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Small Mudroom Decor Ideas

Jay Wilde

Small space doesn't equal throwaway space. Pretty hardware, focal-point shiplap walls, and interesting light fixtures are all options for decorating your small mudroom and tying the space to the rest of your home.

What Is Shiplap? A Guide to the Popular Building Material

08

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Small Mudroom Storage

Marty Baldwin

Recreate this mudroom design and implement multiple types of storage to maximize space and accommodate everyone's belongings. This small space has closed cabinets, hanging hooks, open cubbies, and horizontal and vertical shelves to ensure everything has its own place and the small mudroom stays neat and clutter-free.

09

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Makeshift Mudroom

Julie Soefer

If you don't have an actual mudroom, create a makeshift mudroom in a couple simple steps. Mount hanging hooks on the wall to hold bags, jackets, and scarves, bring out a wicker basket or wood crate for shoes, and if space permits add a small stool or chair where you can sit down or drop your keys.

Drop-Zone Ideas to Inspire Your Entryway Makeover

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Two-Tone Beadboard Walls

Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Maximize charm and character in a small mudroom with beadboard walls. Enhance the effect by choosing a two-tone design to create contrast and an unexpected design element. A dark green paint color on the lower beaded board is practical as it hides dirt and scuff marks, while introducing an outdoor vibe.

11

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Small Mudroom with Storage Cubbies

Joyelle West

Ideally, a mudroom should be located at the front entrance of your home, or alternatively, near the garage or back door. Use materials that withstand daily traffic and dirt, and are easy to clean—tile floors and outdoor fabric for a cushion are great choices.

12

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Repurposed Wood Crates

Marty Baldwin

Get creative with DIY storage solutions to add personality and maximize space. Take inspiration from this small mudroom and repurpose old wood crates to hold shoes and storage baskets. Clean and sand down the crates, then prime and paint (or spray paint!) them, and turn them upside down to serve as standing shelves.

13

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Small Mudroom with Natural Wood Accents

Nathan Schroder

Embrace the natural wood trend and use wood cabinets in a small mudroom. Pair them with brick floors arranged in a stylish herringbone pattern and white shiplap walls for a mudroom design whose neutral color scheme is anything but boring and highlights the materials' natural qualities.

14

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Dark Cabinet Color

Adam Albright

With heavy foot traffic, a mudroom is among the most hard-working spaces in a home. Use a dark paint color on cabinets to conceal dirt, scratches, and scuff marks. Pairing it with a colorful vintage-inspired rug adds character and camouflages dirt.

The Best Dark Paint Colors of 2023, According to Color Experts

15

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Kids' Mudroom Storage

Blaine Moats

For homes with small kids, include storage solutions at their level in the mudroom. Install hooks lower to the ground so kids can hang jackets and bags, place a shoe tray for muddy boots, and label a basket with their name for hats and gloves.

16

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Small Mudroom with Open Shelving

John Granen

Open shelving is an inexpensive storage solution for a small mudroom. Mount one or multiple shelves on a mudroom wall and organize them with open-top bins and baskets. This way, everything is within easy reach and you can easily grab what you need on your way out the door.

17

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Playful Upholstery Fabric

Marty Baldwin

For a lively burst of color and pattern, add a plush seat cushion to a mudroom bench, upholstered in a fun fabric. When choosing fabric, select one that is outdoor-friendly and stain-resistant to endure the daily wear a mudroom faces.

20 Shoe Storage Ideas to Keep Your Collection Organized

18

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Small Mudroom with Dark Floor Tile

Jay Wilde

Practicality is key in a small mudroom, which is why a dark floor tile is a great flooring option. It hides dirt and scuff marks well, and visually, it's a beautiful contrast to white built-ins and shiplap walls. Elevate the floor tile with an interesting arrangement such as this herringbone pattern and emphasize the arrangement with lighter grout.

19

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Tiny Mudroom Corner

Greg Scheidemann

This mudroom corner is small but fully equipped: it features multiple hanging hooks, pull-out drawers to keep the area clutter-free, a built-in seat with a plush cushion for comfort while putting on shoes, and a few storage baskets for essentials like keys and sunglasses.

20

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Renter-Friendly Mudroom

Laura Moss 

Even if you don’t have the space or budget for a small mudroom, you can easily allocate a section within the front or back entrance. A sturdy shoe rack and a standing coat hanger or coat rack is economical and a safe alternative if you currently rent or can’t make significant modifications in your house at the moment.

21

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Small Mudroom with Cabinet Storage

Stacy Zarin Goldberg 

Designing a small mudroom requires rethinking the use of entry nooks and crannies. By evaluating your space, you may discover more usable areas than anticipated. If possible, divide storage into smaller cubbies and drawers, assigning them to family members. Utilize all available space, including the area beneath traditional cabinets.

22

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Small Mudroom with Painted Trim

James Nathan Schroder

Give your mudroom a charming cottage-inspired makeover by painting all the trim—door and window trim, baseboards, and crown molding—in one color. This clever design trick unifies the space and accentuates architectural features like butted door trim.

23

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Small Mudroom Basics

Nathan Schroder Photography

Mudrooms, regardless of size, need certain elements for convenience and efficiency, including a place to hang items, hidden storage, and seating. This DIY mudroom features a built-in made from a TV stand serving as a bench and two slim bookcases as cubbies. Bins keep shoes hidden, and hooks hold backpacks and coats.

24

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Storage for Dog Accessories

KIM CORNELISON

If you're a pet owner, designate an area in the mudroom to your pup's accessories. That can be a shelf for a small dog bed, a basket to hold treats and baggies, and hooks on the wall to keep a leash or harness on hand.

25

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Floor-to-Ceiling Mudroom Built-Ins

Greg Scheidemann

Make use of full wall height with floor-to-ceiling built-ins in your small mudroom. Place frequently used items on accessible shelves and reserve upper shelves for seasonal and less-used clothes, shoes, and accessories.

26

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Small Mudroom with Rolling Storage

Adam Albright

Repurpose a rolling laundry hamper as a mudroom storage vessel for outdoor gear and sports equipment. You can easily haul it outside and it's a space-saving way to neatly contain items and prevent piles of clutter from forming on the floor.

27

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Hidden Mirrors

Annie Schlechter

If you lack wall space, mount a mirror on the inside of a cabinet door in the mudroom. This space-saving solution adds functionality without occupying extra wall space. Choose a frameless mirror with a flat profile for easier hanging, keeping the cabinet uncluttered.

28

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Small Mudroom Sink

Jim Franco

This compact yet efficient mudroom even includes a small sink. A wall-mounted farmhouse-style sink lets you wash your hands after yard work, avoiding tracking dirt through the house en route to the powder room.

29

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Small Mudroom with Sliding Barn Door

Kritsada Panichgul

A sliding barn door is an excellent space-saving (not to mention stylish!) option for a small mudroom. It doesn't require the same clearance as doors do which makes it ideal for a space with minimal square footage and it allows you to get creative with color, trim, and door design to make a fun statement in the small space.

30

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Small Mudroom Laundry Room

Buff Strickland

If your small mudroom doubles as a laundry room, create plenty of storage space with built-in shelves and drawers, add a folding surface in the form of a butcher block countertop, and incorporate hanging hooks or a bar for air drying garments. Use a light paint color on the walls and built-ins to visually enlarge the space and channel the crisp and clean laundry room aesthetic.

31

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Chalkboard Calendar

Adam Albright

Hang a chalkboard calendar near the mudroom door to stay on top of everyone's schedules. The chalkboard finish adds a playful touch, it's reusable month after month, and you can either write on it with colorful chalks or chalkboard markers and color code items by activity, day, or household member.