10 Organizing Essentials for a Hardworking Mudroom
These basic items can help keep your entryway area neat and functional
Laura Gaskill
June 1, 2020
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
When you don’t have a mudroom, it can seem as though this magical space is the answer to all entryway clutter problems. Unfortunately, even when you have a space dedicated to housing all of your family’s boots and backpacks, all that stuff doesn’t just organize itself. That’s where this guide comes in. With a few key organizing pieces and the right strategy, you can guide the flow of things into their proper homes and enjoy the hardworking beauty of your mudroom.
1. Bowl
A pretty bowl or basket placed on an easily reached surface is the most convenient spot for tossing daily essentials like keys, sunglasses and phones. Pick one that’s big enough for your essentials but not too big — otherwise it will become a catchall for random clutter.
Find decorative bowls in the Houzz Shop
A pretty bowl or basket placed on an easily reached surface is the most convenient spot for tossing daily essentials like keys, sunglasses and phones. Pick one that’s big enough for your essentials but not too big — otherwise it will become a catchall for random clutter.
Find decorative bowls in the Houzz Shop
2. Message Board
Even die-hard digital-note takers can use a physical message board in the mudroom. Use it to quickly jot down reminders for events, things you need at the store or notes for other members of the household. Choose a chalkboard or dry-erase surface, with or without a calendar.
Browse message boards on Houzz
Even die-hard digital-note takers can use a physical message board in the mudroom. Use it to quickly jot down reminders for events, things you need at the store or notes for other members of the household. Choose a chalkboard or dry-erase surface, with or without a calendar.
Browse message boards on Houzz
3. Storage Ottoman
If your mudroom is big enough to include a seat, consider making it one that includes hidden storage. Use the interior space to stow spare pairs of shoes, outdoor gear or pet necessities. Just be intentional about which category of items you’re storing there — otherwise, this useful piece has the potential to be filled with stuff that belongs elsewhere.
Shop for storage ottomans
If your mudroom is big enough to include a seat, consider making it one that includes hidden storage. Use the interior space to stow spare pairs of shoes, outdoor gear or pet necessities. Just be intentional about which category of items you’re storing there — otherwise, this useful piece has the potential to be filled with stuff that belongs elsewhere.
Shop for storage ottomans
4. Magazine File
Instead of piling magazines, catalogs and notices on a flat surface (where they can quickly multiply and become impossible to sort through), stash these items in upright magazine files. If you have a large, busy household, assign each person an individual magazine file for collecting mail.
Find file holders in the Houzz Shop
Instead of piling magazines, catalogs and notices on a flat surface (where they can quickly multiply and become impossible to sort through), stash these items in upright magazine files. If you have a large, busy household, assign each person an individual magazine file for collecting mail.
Find file holders in the Houzz Shop
5. Drawer Organizers
If you have a drawer in your mudroom, you need a drawer organizer. Modular types (like the ones shown here) work well, since you can pick and choose exactly which shapes and sizes you need to do the job. This is prime storage real estate, so make sure everything in your drawer earns its spot.
If you have a drawer in your mudroom, you need a drawer organizer. Modular types (like the ones shown here) work well, since you can pick and choose exactly which shapes and sizes you need to do the job. This is prime storage real estate, so make sure everything in your drawer earns its spot.
6. Hamper
When you or a child or furry friend comes in after an outdoor adventure, having an easy spot to drop wet, mucky clothes can be a lifesaver. Bonus: A roomy basket also can be used to hold bulky items like balls and sports gear.
Shop for baskets on Houzz
When you or a child or furry friend comes in after an outdoor adventure, having an easy spot to drop wet, mucky clothes can be a lifesaver. Bonus: A roomy basket also can be used to hold bulky items like balls and sports gear.
Shop for baskets on Houzz
7. Wall Hooks
Even if you have a coat closet, a few sturdy wall hooks make a handy spot for guests to hang coats and bags. If your mudroom doesn’t have a closet, including plenty of wall hooks is key to keeping the space neat.
Find wall hooks in the Houzz Shop
Even if you have a coat closet, a few sturdy wall hooks make a handy spot for guests to hang coats and bags. If your mudroom doesn’t have a closet, including plenty of wall hooks is key to keeping the space neat.
Find wall hooks in the Houzz Shop
8. Labels
When you first get your mudroom organized, it might seem so obvious where everything goes that labeling feels unnecessary. But a few weeks or months down the road, you’re a lot likelier to keep up with your new system if you have clearly labeled shelves, files and bins. Use a label maker for a neat, uniform look, or handwrite content categories on sticky labels to keep it simple.
When you first get your mudroom organized, it might seem so obvious where everything goes that labeling feels unnecessary. But a few weeks or months down the road, you’re a lot likelier to keep up with your new system if you have clearly labeled shelves, files and bins. Use a label maker for a neat, uniform look, or handwrite content categories on sticky labels to keep it simple.
9. Umbrella Stand
Contain wet umbrellas and keep drips off the floor with a sturdy umbrella stand. When the rainy season has come and gone, an umbrella stand can also hold baseball bats, walking sticks or even ski poles.
Browse umbrella stands
Contain wet umbrellas and keep drips off the floor with a sturdy umbrella stand. When the rainy season has come and gone, an umbrella stand can also hold baseball bats, walking sticks or even ski poles.
Browse umbrella stands
10. Open Baskets
Mittens, hats and scarves need a place to land, and if there aren’t enough baskets and bins to contain them, the place they will land on is the floor. Add labels, color-code the baskets or use both methods to make it clear which basket is whose.
Shop for storage baskets
Share: What do you consider essential when it comes to keeping the mudroom neat and tidy? Please tell us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Find a professional organizer in the Houzz pro directory
Browse mudroom photos to inspire you
Shop for storage and organization products
Mittens, hats and scarves need a place to land, and if there aren’t enough baskets and bins to contain them, the place they will land on is the floor. Add labels, color-code the baskets or use both methods to make it clear which basket is whose.
Shop for storage baskets
Share: What do you consider essential when it comes to keeping the mudroom neat and tidy? Please tell us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Find a professional organizer in the Houzz pro directory
Browse mudroom photos to inspire you
Shop for storage and organization products
Related Stories
Doors
The Perfect Front Door for Your Entry
Learn about material and style choices, how to get a front door installed and how much it will cost
Full Story
Mudrooms
The 10 Most Popular Entries and Mudrooms So Far in 2024
Get ideas for storage setups, color schemes and special details from the most-saved entry photos so far this year
Full Story
Decluttering
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Entry
Make your entryway a calm, well-organized space with these steps
Full Story
Decorating Guides
4 Designer Tips for a Fashionable Entry
By tidgboutique
A pro shows how adding color, statement pieces and more to a foyer can set the right tone for the rest of the home
Full Story
Trending Now
The 10 Most Popular Entries and Mudrooms of 2023
By Becky Harris
See the stylish color palettes, smart storage features and impressive details in the most-saved entry photos this year
Full Story
Holidays
10 Easy Ways to Give Your Entryway and Front Yard a Holiday Boost
Make your entry inviting this season with decorations, lighting, furniture and more
Full Story
Trending Now
Top 10 New Entries and Mudrooms
By Becky Harris
Find inspiration for smart storage solutions and charming color palettes in these most-saved new photos on Houzz
Full Story
New This Week
6 New Mudrooms With Great Storage Ideas
Designers, including one found on Houzz, share the details of entries with ample storage that keeps everything organized
Full Story
Trending Now
The 10 Top Entries and Mudrooms of Spring 2023
By Becky Harris
Get ideas for formal and casual spaces with a variety of storage and style options sure to make an impression
Full Story
New This Week
5 Spectacular New Entries and Mudrooms
Get ideas for elevating the look and feel of an entrance with storage and style details from design and remodeling pros
Full Story
I like a basket but the most incompatible things to find in it would be keys and uncovered glasses.
We added benches, where your to take a load off while dealing with shoes, along with building in school lockers really don’t get used much. The chest of drawers though does. We use it to store mostly winter items like gloves, hats, scarves, etc.
DIY mudroom before and after