Open Storage Will Transform The Way You Keep Your Mudroom Organized

A mudroom is your home's drop zone. Shoes, coats, keys, umbrellas, and the dog's leash vie for space on the floor, on hooks, or in a cupboard. It's a place that's hard to keep organized, with adults and children both adding to the clutter daily. Using a system of open storage rather than closed cupboards has two main benefits. The first is that things are out in the open so that you can grab and go when you leave the house rather than having to search through cupboards. The second is that, because of the openness of the mudroom, you may be more likely to keep the area tidy and thus more organized.

If you have no formal mudroom but have an unused space near an entryway, a hall tree with a couple of shelves, a practical but stylish bench, and coat hooks becomes an instant mudroom. Baskets on the shelves labeled with what's inside, or whose stuff goes where, become instant organization. While it may be tempting, don't buy a hall tree with an enclosed storage bench, or you may wind up with a bench full of disorganized, random things. Lidless rolling wood or wire boxes under the bench are good for shoe storage, where they can dry out. Lean a ladder against the wall to hang umbrellas from. If you have kids, help them keep things organized by making sure they can reach their basket and coat or backpack hook.

Maximize the space in a separate mudroom or a mudroom you're building from scratch with modular pieces. Combine tall shelving units with adjustable shelves, cube organizers, wall hooks for coats, and a place to sit for changing your shoes. Instead of shoving everything in one wardrobe or drawer, use baskets set into cubbies, set a tray or dish on a shelf for keys, and use the shelves for reusable grocery bags, garden tools, hats, and accessories. The hard-to-reach upper shelves can be used for storing winter items in the summer, and summer items in the winter, leaving the lower shelves available for the appropriate seasonal storage. Create a cohesive look, with everything on display yet uncluttered, by micro-organizing each pair of shoes, gloves, or glasses into its own special spot. The mudroom is a functional transitional space, so you should not feel it's necessary to aim for perfection — lived-in functionality is better.

The best way to organize an open space is usually a combination of personal preference and what specific items you need to keep in the mudroom. Storing like things together makes them easier to find. Beyond convenience, open storage encourages better daily habits. Because items are visible, it's easier to notice clutter before it builds up, prompting a quick response that keeps the room functional. When you're searching for a pair of gloves to wear to scrape the ice off the car, you'll know where to look. By keeping good habits, you can maintain a well-organized, clean mudroom.