Mudrooms are commonplace in the entryways of homes in the cold and wet north and northeast of the country, where families deposit their muddy boots and coats before entering the house. But they've become common here in horse country where I live in California, too. People can remove muddy or soaked work boots instead of tracking them across wood floors or carpeting. You can install a mudroom at your front entry way or, as many do, at the kitchen door.
A mudroom is like the airlock in a space station; it separates outside conditions from the clean comfort of your home interior. Common elements include heavy-duty, durable flooring; coat racks or closets with hooks, shelving; and storage nooks for scarves, socks, house slippers, and towels that people can use to transition from the elements into your home.
Mudrooms Becoming More Common Additions
Lowes reports that mudrooms are rapidly becoming a building requirement for families with young children and animals. Usually, homeowners choose the less-formal entry, where they usually come in after work or school, rather than the formal entry where they greet guests.
Key elements include:
- Flooring. Choose easy-to-clean flooring that won't show dirt, like tile or linoleum. Other flooring options include concrete or pressure-treated wood. Concrete floors can be treated with common waterproofing products to provide a membrane against mold and mildew.
- Storage. Consider the size of your family, the climate, and your outdoor needs. Racks and bins are great additions for storing slickers, rain boots, umbrellas, and gloves. In colder climates, you can store mittens, skates, and snowshoes. Providing great storage makes for a great way-station between wet snow, hay, and mud, and your nice kitchen floor. Heating the mudroom allows your family to warm up while changing out of wet clothing. Be sure to consider a changing stool or bench where family members can sit to pull on or remove their boots.
- Walls. Homeowners use everything from vinyl, moisture-resistant wall paper to high gloss paint. Add a mirror to expand the light and sense of scale in the room.
- Plumbing and fixtures. Some people combine their mudroom with a laundry room, doubling up on utility. A sink is a nice addition so family members can do a quick wash-up before entering the house. Small indoor-outdoor taps and drains are great for showering off pets or muddy bare feet before tramping into your house.