We are going to do "cubbies" of a sort, but I didn't really divide them b/c I have found that the kids' stuff overflows small "lockers." As they get older, their backpacks get really big. Then, add a coat, a jacket, a soccer bag, a bag for piano, etc. and it tends to grow. For us, I thought hooks that weren't divided into compartments would work better for us. Now, it isn't built yet, so we'll see. Good luck! I also have lots of extra hooks on a big wall for the friends' things. In my little "mudroom" now (a row of hooks with PB bench underneath), I have found my kids don't put things in drawers or baskets. I have a metal tub for shoes and that is the best I can do. I will probably have this same tub in the new house. Think about how you and your family lives. I know that I will not teach my kids to put things away, so I will try to make the new space work for them.

Geri, It's not a BM color; my contractor took a piece of the Cabico crown molding to the paint store, and had it matched in BM. I can check the Cabico color if you'd like, or look on the BM paint can to see whether there is a formula? I also have a whiter Cabico finish in bathroom cabinetry (we also renovated a full bath); I know that that one is called "Dove" - but it is not the same as BM White Dove, that I have also used in the past for trim. It's very white. I can tell you that the color is very close to Behr Calla Lily, because that is what I have been using for trim and I have old painted trim and new painted trim and they don't look all that different.

Almost every mudroom photo I see, I wonder, who on earth has just one pair of shoes? Yet that's what's often pictured, one pair for each person. Even if you clear out by season, it's a lot of foot wear, at least in our house. In winter my girls each have 2 pr uggs, a pair of boots they can get wet, sneakers, clogs, dress shoes, etc. And they all take off their shoes before them come in, so it's a lot. Each kid fills a good size basket. We ended up putting a row of hooks, and lining up baskets underneath. The baskets are not covered by a bench. Depending on how hidden the room is, you may or may not like that. But it means they can all see their shoes and just drop them in the basket. No pulling out and pushing back (seems every little request is onerous for kids!). We have a bench on the other wall. BUt really, who sits to put on and take off shoes? Not kids, unless they are so little they need help. Benches can be junk collectors. If you have any prayer of having shoes put away, it has to be easy to do! PS It's also a great place for a trash can, to empty backpacks, etc, and a bulletin board to post invites, reminders

Here's a link to a thread that went around a few months ago on the home decorating forum. It doesn't have exactly what you are describing, but mairin's is very close and oh so nice looking. Hope something in here might help you... http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/decor/msg0114543725416.html