I love the idea of a mudroom with plenty of shoe storage. Changing shoes before you went upstairs to the main part of the home would help so much to keeping things clean. If you type in mudroom into the search bar everything from modern to rustic mud rooms come up. Not knowing number of individuals in the home or their ages and the pictures give no insight to you style preferences I did not load any pictures.

Are we going for some pretty with function?

You're changing tile? A good time to change closet locale ( hate it when a closet crowds an entry ) Maybe consider an LVP floor, ( luxury vinyl plank 6' x 7" ) instead of tile? Warm look of wood, no grout : ) a zillion to choose from and no wet, salt,snow, grunge worries. Easier install too.

I'd want a pretty drawer chest at the friends door, a nice long bench, with closed sides to tuck shoes beneath.

Some pretty, durable, easy clean rugs... and perhaps some more interesting lighting.

Whatever your style, an announcement to upstairs. ...and beyond.

Love JAN MOYER’s suggestions, above!

LOL. get an umbrella stand and plan to have those taken.....not returned. But it's nice to have for friends. You know the drill....it's Ontario. This is cool, holds both varieties.

Since no client or friend ever seems to have, and mine is either in the car, or at home? I long ago gave up. I buy no coat, no parka, no jacket that does not come with a HOOD. Total waste in Upstate NY: )

Ha...I'm going back up to my earlier and adding pic..

We're feeling the whole thing, right : )?

Agree it is not really a mudroom, other than a garage access, a good chance of slush, and salt etc. along with exterior access with wet, snow and same.

It's a townhouse. Not uncommon that this is the ONLY entry to the home. Probably the prior owners had some lobby type sitting arrangement, with that not great flooring change? : (

Therefore? No cubbies please; they're actually hard to neatly maintain even in a true dedicated mud entry. ....hide more and show less: )

You can be practical, and still quite lovely.

Is the current tile damaged? Since you are avoiding breaking the bank, I'd leave that tile and add a nice indoor/outdoor rug. Removing and replacing tile is a dirty job, and yours is not offensive.

Maybe add an upscale wallpaper and attractive lighting to transform the space from functional corridor to dramatic entry.

It gets very pretty light. Since I don't have kids trooping in and out, I'd put a small and attractive desk down there where I could bring in the mail, pay bills and catch up with thank you notes while enjoying the passing street scene. I'd add some basic floating shelves, art and attractive file storage and a rug (but definitely not if there is any chance of flooding).

Mid-Century Modern Curved Office Desk Computer Desk with Shelf & Storage · More Info

If I had kids over 9 or 10, I'd offer them the space as a sometimes whimsical chill space, with a comfy love seat, reading lamp and book case, a table for craft activities if they are into that. In that case I might color block the wall between the doors.

It's too nice and large a space to not use it as living space.

Bench, desk, comfy chair with table, mirror, cabinets for mudroom storage, shelves, hooks (even if you don’t leave things out, make them pretty and available).

There are so many things you will need this room for. Make a list of all of them: walking the dog, waiting for people, checking how you look, dumping coats and bags (also think about grocery bags), ipad mount (? if you’d use it), charging station, writing surface (counter height), white board for notes (?), shoes and coat and umbrella drying, looking out the window for visitors or deliveries, etc.

Then google images for mudroom, foyer, entry, narrow entry, etc. and download images that have things or styles you like.

That space is too valuable to only make it pretty. I only have a 4’ wide hall entry, and I need it for so many things. I am adding tons of hooks and shelves and under-stair cabinets to store big art and outdoor cushions (which I bring inside when not in use so they stay clean). They are all full of stuff because I don’t have enough room for cabinets or a bench - stuff that I need to grab before I go outside: dog stuff, clothes stuff, purse stuff, car stuff, bills to pay, keys, disinfecting wipes, anything I don’t want to forget. Hopefully one day I’ll figure out a way to hide some of it. You already have tons of space for that.

You can definitely make it pretty because you have lots of room, but figure out how to use it first.

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions!! It has been overwhelming as it is mine and my partner's first home and we want to make it pretty but most importantly functional! Since it is a townhome, maximizing the space we have is the most important part, while still making it a beautiful place we can enjoy!

Ok! With the added information that there is a beach nearby and a baby in the works I highly recommend you plan this space with the idea it is going to a beautiful space to dump things out of your hands as soon as possible when you walk through that door, including the baby! You are going to be coming through that door with baby, stroller, umbrella, diaper bags, toys, towels, flip flops sand on your feet. You are not going to want to bring one bit of that upstairs, except the baby (with sand cleaned off).

Fortunately it appears you have the garage right there off-loading umbrellas and such (will you have a washer-dryer there?) but I think you will still want to keep essential items like the stroller in that room, along with a place to stow baby necessities, all out of sight. (You are not going to want to walk back upstairs to get things you need you accidentally forgot)

I wouldn't rule out investing in a beautiful old armoire for just that purpose, because it can be cheaper than new cabinets and you can paint it whatever you like. Some of these huge old armoires and wardrobes are incredibly cheap because most people have no space for them anymore. This one is $1500 (in California, alas). You don't need anything this big, but you can find something wonderful -- modern or coastal, whatever you prefer -- that doesn't say "mudroom"

or something more coastal that would look great with a coat of favorite color paint

And of course you will want a safe place to seat the baby and yourselves,

Your cubby bench between closets idea is a fantastic one. It maximizes space, with a bit of seating for putting shoes on and off. (Great for a little kid.) I love the storage drawer, though perhaps a roll out boot tray would be a good idea too.

In a townhouse, you don't have the space for a mudroom and a formal entryway. Instead think of this as a beautiful entryway with functional storage.

Once the closets and bench are built, add an elevated modern costal look with upholstery fabric, hardware, artwork, perhaps a half moon wall hung table to the left of the stairway, and an elevated but hardworking water hog like rug.

Biggest question: Where will your baby stroller live? Garage, fold up and put away, hanging out in this entryway?

Here are examples of elevated entry ways with storage.

Walnut Hills · More Info

Now and Zen - Mudroom · More Info

Glen Ridge · More Info

Glen Ridge · More Info

Modern Traditional · More Info