You might have seen a few designer homes, including a few of our own, that have a small room marked “mudroom” or just “mud” that have left you scratching your head.
A mudroom refers to a small additional entrance room that can help keep your home clean and clutter-free.
So, what exactly is a mudroom, and why do you need one in your new home? Icon Homes is here to help you out, because once you have a home with a mudroom, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one.
What is a mudroom?
A mudroom is traditionally a secondary entrance where people can kick off their muddy boots, hang their coats, and store other bulky belongings before entering the home. An American term, mudroom designs are a useful way to keep a home clean and uncluttered.
Mudrooms usually have ample storage space, a place to sit to remove shoes, coat racks, umbrella stands, and for some homes, a laundry area.
Unless you live in the snow or are consciously thinking of ways to keep the kids’ muddy football shoes from trudging through the house after a game, you might not think to include one in your new home.
But the truth is that a dedicated alternative entrance to your home can do more than just act as a mud filter. Mudrooms also provide practical storage solutions that will instantly help your home to feel more organised and less cluttered. It’s that old saying—out of sight, out of mind.
So, what does a mudroom look like, and what would you need to include in one? Let’s find out.
What should I include in my mudroom?
Every home and every family is unique, so there is never a hard rule on what to include in your mudroom designs. Here at Icon Homes, we have seen a wide variety of mudrooms and home layouts, so we have a few pro-tips to help you create the ideal mudroom for your family.
The best place to have a mudroom is at the front of your home, or, like in our Raglan 42 or Dalkeith 47 designs, in between your laundry area and garage. Having a mudroom and laundry room combination means that guests don’t have to see it, but your family can easily access it when coming and going.
There are a few essential items you should include in your mudroom:
- Sturdy Hooks: your family will be hanging bags and jackets, so make sure to install some strong, sturdy hooks.
- Seating: a small bench seat or chair in your mudroom will give everyone a space to sit down when taking off their shoes. For extra storage space, keep an eye out for a seating option with room underneath for a shoe rack or drawer.
- Storage Space: cupboards, racks, even a small set of drawers will give you the storage space you need to keep your home organised and clean. If space allows for it, storage with hanging
- space will be a lifesaver for bulky coats and outerwear.
- Floor mats or rugs: a doormat or a slip-resistant mat in your mudroom is a great way to keep your home clean, and also prevents slipping or nasty accidents.
Some other optional items to include in your mudroom are:
- Cleaning supplies: brooms, rakes, floor cleaners, buckets—cleaning supplies tend to take up a lot of space, but with a well-designed mudroom, you’ll be able to access them easily without compromising on living space.
- Laundry space: a washing machine, a dryer, and even a sink in your mudroom can help free up space in the rest of your home. Bonus points for a mudroom laundry with a hamper and ironing board.
- Pet supplies: give your pet their own little space in the mudroom. Store their pet bowls, leashes, and if you have a cat, their kitty litter.
- Toys and outdoor equipment: forever struggling to find a place to store the cricket set or bikes? A mudroom is a perfect space to store all your family’s outdoor equipment.
Do any of Icon Homes’ designs come with a mudroom?
If you’re sold on the idea of a mudroom, and we totally understand why, here is some good news for you. We have five beautifully functional home designs that come with mudrooms.
The much loved Tampa 40, Tampa 46, Raglan 42, Dalkeith 47 and Killarney 49, home designs all come with mudrooms. Our house layouts have been created with your comfort and convenience in mind, which is why our mudrooms are placed between the living space, the garage, and the laundry.
Got a home design you love, but it’s missing a mudroom? Here at Icon Homes we also do customisation on all of our designs, so if you’re looking to add a mudroom to your home, we’d love to discuss it more, simply enquire via our contact page.
