MUDROOMS

Mudrooms Mudrooms KEEPING THE DIRT OUT IN STYLE

Do you daydream about how great it would be to have a mudroom? In addition to being the perfect spot to hang coats and store shoes, mudrooms have the ability to provide so much organization into your daily routine and can be the perfect way to help keep dirt out of your house.

Keeping You Organized

Krista Weisz, an interior designer at Stier Construction says, “I always think of mudrooms as a ‘hub’ for activity going out for the day and coming home at night. Having a spot for all your things helps you stay organized and not forget anything.”

Her must haves in a back entry include the following: • Hanging coat storage • Shoe storage • Hat/mitten storage • A “drop zone” for keys, phone, purse, etc. • Charging stations • Backpack storage for kids • Sports equipment storage • Cork board or magnetic board to hang important letters or notes from school • Chalkboard or whiteboard for messages

Keeping Your House Clean

Connecting a back entry or mudroom to a laundry room helps keep dirty outdoor or athletic clothes, shoes and boots out of the main house. It also provides a place either to clean things right away or to store them until they can be cleaned. Luke Stier, owner of Stier Construction says, “Oftentimes we try to find a way to incorporate a laundry chute if we can when your laundry room isn’t adjacent to your mudroom. If the layout allows, adding a laundry space to your mudroom area can be a great improvement.

Planning for Function and Style

Like all projects that Stier Construction does, the process begins by discussing the clients’ needs and gathering information about how they start and end their days as well as how many people will depend on the space for storage and what elements will be stored. Functionality is the first rule of a mudroom, so it’s important to think about how best to use the space. Typically, the space found for a mudroom is pretty small. Determining the way space is used is of the utmost importance for maximum efficiency.

Once the ideas are on the table and lifestyle habits are determined, it’s time to plan. Christina Jorgensen, another interior designer at Stier construction makes sure she includes every interior cabinet organization possible that fits the clients’ budget. “Cabinetry is key! It’s important to make sure the cabinetry works to fit the clients’ routine. The amount of function the interior space in a cabinet can provide if well thought out is immeasurable.”

When working with the style of the new mudroom, the client’s personalities and the rest of the home is important to take into consideration. “When adding a mudroom we don’t want it to seem like an afterthought. We want to make sure it looks as if it was always a part of your home,” says Weisz.

Getting Creative

Don’t think you have room to add a mudroom? You probably do. Finding space for a mudroom can be a challenge if there isn’t one already designated in the home, but “We have carved out space in existing garages or storage spaces such as closets to gain the square footage needed to add a mudroom for our clients,” says Stier.

A powder room is a great addition to a mudroom if possible. “Sometimes even just a sink for handwashing can add functionality to the space,” says Jorgensen.

Stier Construction also added shoe cubbies, a bench with open storage, and cabinet doors above the bench that flip open for easy access. All this plus beautiful woodwork and cushions make this space feel stylish as well as extremely functional.

Efficient Storage

This back entry remodel shows how cabinetry can enhance the function of the space. Roll-outs inside the tall cabinets provide the perfect spot for shoes, hats and mittens. The bench also has drawers underneath for extra storage. Hooks along the back become a quick and easy way to store everyday coats and backpacks.

507-358-5115

stierconstructioninc.com

Luke Stier Owner/Contractor Krista Weisz Interior Designer/ Project Manager NCIDQ ASID Christina Jorgensen Interior Designer/ Project Manager AKBD