Taking in all the considerations of family schedules and activities as well as style and function of the home, Tish Mills talks you through ways to curate a welcoming, well-utilized and beautiful mudroom for your house.
What makes a good mudroom?
Just because a mudroom is a more utilitarian space, doesn’t mean it has to be utilitarian. A good mudroom space should have all the functionality that you would expect, but also all the beauty comparable to a great main entrance.
What do you need to consider when creating a mudroom?
First, I start with the basics, such as how many kids does the family have? Any pets? What are the family’s activities and needs around school? Also, what are the surrounding areas? Georgia red clay? Rainy part of the country? Once I’ve gotten the needs and wants, then I can think about the spaces nearby and how they will function together, taking into consideration how it will become an extension of the main living areas. Then the true mudroom design begins.
Are there some materials you prefer over others for flooring?
Stone is my preference for the easy clean up. The stone in the picture attached happens to be porcelain, which is even easier and no need to seal when installing.
What do you suggest to organize the space?
Storage, storage, storage. I do plenty of the locker set-ups. When I do these, I consider the ages of the kids and will plan for the future from there. But that’s not the only solution. I also like storage solutions that completely close up, like the image attached or a built-in dog crate which at times, like in my own house, can be the perfect solution.
As these are also considered entries, how can you make them stylish?
In the South, these mudrooms are typically called the “Friend’s Entrance” since they are typically right off the driveway or garage. I conceal as much of the storage as possible and add an interesting piece of furniture. Good, interesting lighting is a must.
How do you blend indoors with outdoors as this is first entry point?
I typically blend the spaces through the flooring. Then I connect the rest of the space to the main part of the house. I also love using a good, durable and stylish vinyl wallpaper for the little fingerprints that often come through a mudroom.
Tish Mills Kirk of Tish Mills Interiors, a preferred vendor of The Meridian Real Estate Group, is an award-winning interior designer who has been working with clients in their homes for more than two decades. She believes that it is essential to put together a cohesive plan for your home renovation before you get started that can be carried out by the team of experts you assemble. www.harmoniousliving.net
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Photos provided by Chris Little.