The Mudroom Design Dilemma

I think I’ve shared a photo of our mudroom maybe once or twice on the blog. That’s because it’s usually a disaster since it’s our dumping ground and it has absolutely no personality at all right now. Which is really too bad because we go in and out of this room multiple times a day {it is our access to the garage} and we really love having this space. The room has actually been a godsend after our last garage entrance which also doubled as a laundry room alley.

But, with the extra space this room as afforded, we also seem to dump extra stuff {and leave it for indefinite amounts of time since the room doesn’t have another function}. Here are some current shots of the space {after I hung up the four coats that were out – even though there is a coat closet in the room that only seems to get used in the summer when we officially no longer need coats}. You’ll note that about 50% of the shoes that we own are in the room at all times as well under the bench:

It’s definitely time this room gets some personality and brightness injected into it! I think a gallon of the right paint color will do wonders for the space. I’m thinking either a light gray or maybe the SW Sea Salt we used in the master but at 50% intensity? Here are my biggest concerns:

• There are three doors, cabinets {upper and lower}, the bench, baseboards, and the hook shelf that are all painted in the Swiss Coffee. I’m sure I don’t need to go into detail again about why this won’t work with any of the colors I’m suggesting. They will all need to get painted a truer white.
• There is very little usable wall space to add artwork or other decor so I’m struggling with what to do with the room other than paint and update the lighting. Thinking about having my dad make a long bench cushion out of a fun fabric?
• The upper cabinet seems too low to me. If I paint the cabinets, I think it would be possible to extend the cabinets to the ceiling or add another foot or so of height with some wood and trim.
• With the wood trim holding the hooks I’m a little stumped because it just feels like it’s floating to me currently. Do I do board and batten down to the bench, add some planking down to the bench, leave it as is?
• Do I add artwork on the wall space above the hooks? Or would it look too high?
• Do I build out some chunkier trim on that hook wood and/or possibly add a shelf above it?

One thing I’m sure on: I picked up this Dahlia Chandelier from Pottery Barn Kids a month or two back during a great sale and an additional coupon I had. I knew it would be the perfect starting point for me to get to work on this room. It is also the same chandelier that Mandy used in her home office that she revealed here during her guest post.

{Dahlia Chandelier}

Here are some mudrooms I love, found on my Mudrooms board on Pinterest:

{Here’s an example with board and batten and a shelf above – via}

{Although this likely isn’t something I would do in ours, I like the idea of the chalkboard section – especially to help with items you may need before you head out the door, e.g. groceries, appointments, etc. – via}

{Again, not necessarily my style but a good example of  a shelf/ledge, trim underneath and a cushioned bench – via}

{A perfect example of the planking and a fabric-covered cushion – I sorta love the dark gray cabinets too! – via}

I plan to keep brainstorming on ideas but would like to get this room moving sooner rather than later. Any ideas from any of you on those items I am stumped on? I am looking forward to having a much more pleasant entry area for us in the near future!

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