Winter has always been a magical season, with the snow-covered landscapes and cozy indoor moments. But let's face it, as the days get shorter and the cold weather lingers, we could all use a little extra brightness and cheerfulness to lift our spirits. That's exactly what we aimed to achieve when designing our latest project: a not-so-typical mudroom that brings a touch of green into the long winter months. It provides much-needed function and storage no matter the season.

Our client had a clear and unique vision in mind. She wasn't looking for your typical mudroom with lockers and cubbies. Instead, she wanted a space that combined both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Her mudroom needed to feel more like an extension of the home and its design vibe, than just a place for shoes and coats. No matter your vision, here are three considerations for any mudroom.

1. Plan for storage

We started by considering the storage needs and focused on creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. A modest 10'x10' space, this mudroom was born from a careful interior design process. When this 1930s basement was transformed into a luxurious guest space, the washer and dryer were moved to the second floor, adding even more functionality to their home. The existing plumbing was then repurposed for a wall-mounted utility sink moment, which is both cost-effective and efficient.

In place of traditional cubbies or locker-style cabinets, we opted for a custom furniture piece that features basket drawers, allowing wet winter gear to dry more easily and with an individual basket for each family member. A unique pipe detail across the mudroom accommodates hanging items and feels cohesive with pipe accents throughout the rest of the basement. The pipe for hanging storage is also ideal for wet umbrellas so they can drip directly into the sink. Different types of storage — from cubbies and drawers to hanging storage — are essential to an organized mudroom and ensuring everything has a place of its own.

2. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns

To bring a sense of unity and cohesion, thoughtfully chosen patterned wallpaper featured in one of the basement guest rooms provides a bright and cheerful aesthetic. With high contrast black and white patterned tile covering the floor, each pattern needed to be different enough to stand on its own, while also complementing and balancing the other. To bring all the design elements together, including two bold pattern choices, we introduced a modern chair that adds a touch of contemporary flair.

3. Utilize wall space

On the other side of the room, we added artistic, shelf-like cubbies. This is a strategic use for a wall that would otherwise be largely wasted space. Four cubbies per family member provide ample storage space and accommodate up to three boxes of shoes stacked neatly.

Another creative use of space was the area underneath the stairs on the same wall. We repurposed wasted space to create additional seasonal storage for bulky winter coats and other items that needed to be tucked away, but accessible depending on the season.

More than a mudroom

The black door leads to the nearby tuck-under garage, seamlessly integrating the mudroom into the overall layout of the home. Each detail was carefully considered, including the knobs, which were sourced from India and hold special meaning for this client.

Our goal throughout the interior design process was to ensure the mudroom felt like a personalized space, rather than your typical catch-all mudroom.

Guided by the motto, "You be you, and I'll make it beautiful," we focused on bringing out our client's unique aesthetic while maintaining functionality and visual appeal.

This mudroom is a vibrant, functional, and welcoming space that serves as an extension of this client's personality and design vibe. It's a place where the winter blues melt away, replaced by a burst of color and cheerfulness. So, come on in and experience the joy of a mudroom like no other!