From coats and shoes to backpacks and athletic gear, a well-designed mudroom lets you store it all — and keeps the rest of your home looking great.
It’s the end of March, which means one thing is right around the corner: April showers. And with April showers comes a whole lot of mud tracked through your front door. If there’s ever a time to think seriously about a mudroom addition, it’s now.
New Englanders are known for being practical, so it’s no surprise that mudrooms have become one of the most-requested additions we see at Custom. And the ask has evolved. Today’s homeowners aren’t just looking for a place to drop their keys. They want a hardworking, well-organized space that handles the full chaos of daily life — hockey gear, soccer bags, dog leashes, work bags, plus shoes, shoes and more shoes. Whether tucked into a front entryway or accessed through a side or rear entrance, a mudroom almost always becomes the family’s primary way in and out of the home.
New Addition or Retrofit?
About half the mudrooms we build are part of larger additions, while the others involve transforming a pre-existing space — a breezeway, a side porch, or an underused corner near the back door.
New additions offer the most flexibility. With enough square footage to work with, you have room for built-in benches with shoe storage below, cubbies, shelving, charging stations, and even a utility sink or secondary laundry hookup.
Retrofits require more creativity. Once you account for door swing and traffic flow, the workable square footage can shrink quickly. But that’s where thoughtful design makes all the difference — the right cabinetry, smart vertical storage, and good lighting can transform even a modest space into something genuinely functional.
What Goes Into a Great Mudroom?
A mudroom is most useful when it’s designed around your household’s actual habits. A few features worth considering:
- Dedicated cubbies or lockers — one per family member keeps things from piling up
- Bench seating with storage below — ideal for putting on and taking off shoes
- Hooks at multiple heights — for adults, kids, and yes, the dog
- Durable, easy-clean flooring — tile and luxury vinyl are popular choices
- Good lighting — often overlooked, but essential
Let’s Talk About Your Space
At Custom, we’ve been designing and building mudrooms and other custom spaces such as walk-in closets, laundry rooms, and pantries for decades — and no two are alike. Our team will assess your space, talk through your family’s needs, and help you find a solution that fits your home and your budget.