How Much Does It Cost To Build A Mudroom From Scratch
The mudroom is traditionally a feature of homes found in locations that experience consistent rainy, snowy, or generally wet and potentially dirtying conditions. A mudroom, therefore, acts as a barrier between the outside and clean indoor spaces around and in your home (via HomeServe).
HomeAdvisor estimates that the typical cost of a mudroom is between $8,000 and $16,000; however, the cost calculation can become complicated when it comes to your home's addition type. Building a totally new structure onto the home will sit within this range — at an average price of about $12,000. Yet, homeowners often find success when converting a closed-in porch or segment of the garage to serve this new purpose.
Remember, the mudroom only truly serves its purpose if it's built into an entryway. This limits some of the options that homeowners will see but can create new opportunities for reduced overall cost, with a closet conversion or enclosed porch conversion typically coming in at $4,500 and $2,500, respectively.
Mudrooms provide greater control over the cleanliness of the house and are often a favorite target for home renovations as a result (via Greenbrook Design). They can be designed as a walled-in space, or simply as a locker room-style wall feature in the entry hallway.
Factors for cost
A number of important elements go into the cost calculation for the construction of a new mudroom. The overall cost will depend on the kinds of installations you're hoping to bring to the project, and a simple mudroom that offers a staging area to get ready to leave the home or to shed dirty shoes and clothing upon reentering can be built on a budget. A luxurious installation that sections off the mudroom from the rest of the house and incorporates a customized locker or other storage space will run your budget considerably higher.
Benches and storage space are the foundational installations of a new mudroom
HomeAdvisor reports that mudroom benches will typically cost between $250 and $2,000 (with custom carpentry and flourishes in the finish raising the price considerably over a more basic design). Benches are the foundation of a functional mudroom and are one of the most visible elements of this space in the home. A bench space will give your family the ability to sit down and take off shoes comfortably. Additionally, adding benches gives you the ability to incorporate under-seat storage that will be instrumental for storing away gear, shoes, and any other items that will remain in the mudroom.
Storage is the other essential element in this space. Many homeowners opt for cabinets or lockers to provide a functional and classy storage solution in this part of the home. HomeAdvisor also estimates that cabinets will cost between $500 and $1,200 per linear foot. For example, an estimate for a fully furnished cabinet installation on a 6-foot wall comes in at $3,000 to $9,000.
These elements act as the baseline for an established mudroom that can help you maintain cleanliness in the home. HomeServe suggests that even a simple mudroom that only offers coat hanging space, a bench, and simple storage installations remains a popular option for many homeowners and is a highly functional addition to any home — this should be your starting point when introducing a mudroom to the property.
Interior walls separate the space more effectively
HomeServe reports that homeowners should expect to pay between $100 and $200 per square foot when creating a mudroom that is walled off and separate from surrounding spaces in the home. This type of addition can make for a truly luxurious and highly functional mudroom. Considering that the primary purpose of your mudroom is to contain the mess that you and your family members will bring in from the outdoors, a separate room is a great option as it allows you to close off a space that has become dirty as a result of unexpectedly wet weather before you have a chance to clean it.
Paint and decorative additions are the finishing touches that set a great mudroom apart
Finishing touches are also a good idea to bring a mudroom into the home in earnest. Because of the prominent position that this space will occupy (as an entryway into the property), it should be decorated with items that represent your family and your interests.
Painting the mudroom in any contemporary and bright color can be a great starting place for your decorating efforts, explains The Spruce. Incorporating pictures, mementos from travel, or artwork into the mudroom can tie the space together to help create a sense of home from the moment you step foot through the door.
Additional costs
In addition to the foundational elements that make for a great mudroom, there are a few added considerations that you might want to incorporate to create the most useful space possible for your family and specific home needs.
Pet care installations can be highly beneficial
One great addition to the mudroom floor space is a pet shower or bath. When coming home from a walk with your dog, the need may arise to clean your pup's coat or paws. Dogs have a habit of becoming incredibly dirty when out in the elements, yet homeowners typically don't like when this mess is brought inside and straight onto the couch or rug. Daily Paws suggests that the addition of a dog washing space to your mudroom can add personality as well as a functional installation that helps protect the level of cleanliness that you want to persist in your home.
HomeAdvisor reports that a utility sink will typically cost between $40 and $200 to install in your mudroom. But a more substantial dog washing space may rise to a price ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 for specialized needs that go beyond a sink.
Added appliances can amplify the organizational value of the entryway
Fixr reports that homeowners often choose to combine their laundry room and mudroom into one space. The outlet estimates a total cost ranging from $6,400 to $19,200 for a combined laundry and mudroom addition.
Incorporating appliances into this space can add significant value to your home. Combining two areas of the property that see the most activity in terms of dirty clothing is a great way to contain the sources of messiness in the home and enhance the natural relaxation quality of the interior space more broadly.
Types of mudrooms
There are a few distinct mudroom layouts that homeowners often implement when adding this space to their homes. Considering one of these overarching design patterns can give you a distinct mudroom area that fits your home's footprint and your needs as a family.
Hallway cubby space
The simplest iteration of the mudroom is the hallway cubby space. Adding a bench and basic shelving to the entryway just beyond your front door can provide the separation you're looking for between the outside and full indoor space of your home. These installations can be designed tastefully with minimal cost (comparatively). This type of mudroom is subdued and functional, lending itself as a staging area first and a sort of statement piece in the home as an added bonus.
Garage transition and laundry room
Another option is the transition space between the garage and the indoor area of the home. Enclosing a small area of the garage to create a new walled-off room that will serve this purpose is a great option for installing an effective mudroom in your home. HomeAdvisor estimates that a walled-off space will typically cost around $1,800 per wall, fully installed.
In addition, any homeowner in the process of redesigning their garage or adding a new one will see increased benefit from the project by making room for the addition of mudroom space that can segment these discreet areas of the property in a way that preserves the atmosphere in each.
Many homes in the United States are built with laundry facilities that reside in a section linking the garage with the interior of the property. The Spruce suggests that a laundry room positioned in the best possible space will be near a bathroom or the kitchen as a result of the shared water needs, and Financial Samurai notes that the layout of the garage typically means that it will occupy a portion of one of the home's wings. This places it in front of bedroom and bathroom features that make the addition of a laundry and mudroom compilation an accessible and useful approach.
Foyer buffer
Lastly, instead of adding the mudroom as a buffer between the garage and home, you might consider placing it between the front door and the full interior. This provides the same type of functionality but moves the mudroom into a more prominent location that will be utilized by guests and members of the household alike on a regular basis. This is a great option for anyone thinking of installing a more luxurious mudroom layout in their home.
Why you need a mudroom
Adding a mudroom to your home can immediately boost the comfort and functionality of your space on a broader level. The use of mudrooms is increasing in the modern American home, which can make a dramatic difference in your overall lifestyle if you live in an area that sees heavy rain or otherwise typical wet and muddy weather.
A mudroom enhances house-wide storage and organization
One immediate benefit lies in the storage and organizational boost that a mudroom can provide. Lohud reports that homeowners are exhibiting an increasing demand for this transitional entryway into and out of the home.
This comes as a result of the organizational benefit that a mudroom places front and center. The mudroom offers an excellent storage location for shoes and other belongings, but with the remainder of the wall space that this area provides, you can get incredibly creative with additional storage options and decorative flairs.
The transition space provides an easier method for keeping the home clean and tidy
Of course, this transition from inside to outside provides the perfect opportunity to keep your home clean and tidy. Alongside the organizational boost that a mudroom can provide, it also serves exceptionally well as a barrier to dirt, grime, grass, and, of course, mud that might otherwise enter your home clinging to clothing and shoes (via U.S. News & World Report).
A clean home is a relaxing one, so this simple installation can amplify the peace of mind that you enjoy while spending time with the ones you love.
A dedicated coat and shoe storage area imbues greater ambient energy and feng shui properties in the home
Interior design principles also align with the use of a mudroom in the home. Feng shui in the bedroom, living room, and elsewhere seeks to create a harmonious space that provides the most beneficial energy to anyone spending time on the property. Your mudroom provides a powerful ally in the effort to enhance the living space of the entire home. Separating the potentially messy entryway from the places that you want to relax in can be transformative for your property's ambient energy as well as your ability to get comfortable and recharge at the end of a long day.
Benefits of a mudroom
The benefits of a new mudroom are versatile and can best be seen in the financial value and lifestyle organization that the new installation can bring to your home.
The popularity of mudrooms makes them a great value addition
Home Elements & Concepts suggests that adding a mudroom can increase the financial value of your property, but more specifically, this addition can make for a rapid sale when you decide to move out of the home. Buyers love the aesthetics and functionality of a well-designed mudroom, and this can play a huge role in your ability to sell the home in the future.
McFall Builders reports that a mudroom can help protect the condition of the remaining square footage of your home, too. With this addition, caring for the property becomes easier, making for an enhanced resale value through a number of key avenues.
Minimizing the routine chaos of daily life is easier with this subtle home feature
Closet Works estimates that kids and adults alike will be highly receptive to the idea of storing coats, shoes, and other often-dirty belongings in the mudroom, as it provides a comforting and easy-to-use space-saving design. This subtle yet powerful addition to the home can make for a far easier daily routine by toning down the chaos that typically makes its way into life.
Whether you live in an area that experiences more rain or sun, the addition of a mudroom can make for a lifestyle that presses pause on much of the chaos that exists in the entryways of a modern home.