Need help with our Entrance/Mudroom/Stairs Layout
Hi Everyone,
We’ve gotten most of our home design the way we like it, but are really struggling with the front entrance/stairs/mudroom design! We are building a walkout bungalow on an acreage in rural Saskatchewan, Canada.
Shown are two options for our entrance, one from the front and one from the side of our house – both would be fine options for access from the driveway, as it will wrap around that side of the house. (note - window placement is partially completed on the plans)
With Option 1: I am concerned that the entrance would feel too close to the dining room, but I like how the mudroom sink and bathroom each get a window.
With Option 2: I am concerned about the possibility of dirt/mud between the front entrance to the mudroom across the top of the stairs, but I’m not sure if that would be a common route or if it’s just in my head. I like that the entrance is it’s own area, separate from the dining room, and has a closet. I also dislike that there’s no window in the mudroom bathroom, the sink I can always just put a mirror behind. I am also not so keen on where the door from garage enters the mudroom, it seems to make the storage options a bit disjointed.
So, where to go from here? A hybrid using option 2 as the base, but push the bathroom out to have a window and a mudroom more like in option 1? Keep option 1 and put a partition of some kind in? I am trying not to add too much to the square footage, but walls could be moved.
Would love to hear your input, thank you in advance!
Option 1:
Option 2:
Comments (13)
kshugg
6 years agoRelated Discussions
need help with picking finishes for entry staircase
Comments (7)If you want durable, you might want to look at the stone-like porcelain tiles that are available now. I brought a sample home recently that looked like limestone. It was a very light beige, nearly off white. You might need to visit a few tile stores to view a good selection. Each store only seems to carry a small number of porcelain tiles, but there are many styles available. Monocibec has some great porcelains, but I've only found 2 local stores in the LA area and they each carry the same one style out of the dozen offered by this company. Wish you were in LA - we seem to be shopping for the same things! (I gave you the garage doors info)...See MoreCritique my garage entry/mudroom/bath layout
Comments (23)Yes that's what I mean. It's exasperating! They waltz right past the bathroom and wash their grubby hands and then flick the water all over. Gah. I have been working on that issue for years and they aren't clueing in. Yesterday dh backed me up when again there they were at the sink and I said THAT MEANS YOU TOO. His jaw dropped, lol. My sink, MY SINK for food prep people. Get outta my space with those dirty hands! I think your long counter is in a perfect spot. It's close enough to be useful but it's not IN the kitchen per se. Thumbs up to that! Mine is more in the back entry and it's not as convenient. You certainly can put a utility sink in the garage - but I don't know about winter time if there would be a span of weather that you couldn't use it - here that would be the case unless there is a way to insulate it. Definitely would want it on an inside wall at the least. I think you need to evaluate what exactly you plan to use that W/D for and if you will be doing a lot of soaking or if that stuff would go upstairs to the other W/D and how frequently you'll be using this one. I have a utility sink by my W/D - had to fight for it as our bath is near and hubby thought it wasteful but when you have someone sick in the night or stains that need extra soaking it's 100% worth it to me. That is my humble opinion. That one time one of them had the flu in my mind made it worth the extra cost. I don't want that soaking in my sink - and they aren't deep enough anyway....See MoreMudroom/Pantry/Entry Help!
Comments (13)Ours are on the way in (same flow as yours from that door there) and they are used. It's not always neat but it's tucked away off the main thoroughfare like yours so even if the shoes aren't under the bench you aren't tripping over them. I really like that aspect. You could also swap the lockers/closet to where the bath is (size depending) and put the laundry where the lockers are and the bath where the laundry is. That would give you a larger laundry and smaller locker area. I would definitely add windows to that back wall. It would be filled with natural light and never be a dark space (unless it's actually dark outside). I would probably even have that door with half or 3/4 glass in it. :D...See MoreNeed help designing mudroom/laundry room/main entrance
Comments (5)Your inspiration photos seem to solve your needs. A long bench, with drawer or basket storage below and a double hook (possible a shelf) beneath each window, would give you a lot of storage. You may even have room to add a tall, pull out cabinet at each end or you could modify the closet to have a pull out as well as hanging area. You could add ceiling height, deep cabinets over your washer and dryer and a countertop for folding. If you must have a hamper, as in your pictures, buy a decorative one and store it under your window. After that, just add a rug and it would look great....See Morekshugg
6 years agokshugg
6 years agoHi all sorry for the delay in my reply! Thank you all very much for your input, sure made me think lots! We decided on Option 1. Keeping the door swing the way it is to promote natural flow from entrance to mudroom with coats, will also have some hooks by the door. Will likely add a small bulkhead between the entrance and dining room to create a feel of separation. The door is blocked nicely from our prevailing west wind by the garage (if the plan were a map, it would be upside down - north is at the bottom). I've also had some mixed feelings about not having the mudroom joined to my pantry and kitchen on the same side of the house, the concern being distance with groceries. For anyone who was curious, this is the full plan, the driveway comes up around the left side where the yellow line is, so this is why we've opted to have the 'public' rooms on this side of the house and the 'private' bedroom side on the back. That, and the views to the top and left of the page are quite nice so we've tried to orient our living spaces to face them. Thank you all for your input.
PROMark Bischak, Architect
6 years agokshugg
6 years ago
Anglophilia