This story was written by, and appeared on, Houzz.
Where: Newton, Massachusetts
In her own words: “Your mudroom and kitchen are the spaces where everything has to be functional and every inch of space counts.”Snow, mud, drafts, sports equipment, outdoor gear — you want to keep all those things outside your house, designer Tova Greenberg says. A good solution? A mudroom. Greenberg, who co-owns Newton design-build firm Steveworks, specializes in designing storage spaces such as mudrooms, as well as kitchens, bathrooms and family rooms.
Greenberg is also passionate about universal design, helping clients design homes that are accessible to everyone and can be easily modified as a family’s needs change. “I love problem solving and the challenge of making use of every inch of space,” she says.
Read Greenberg’s tips below to get started on plans for an organized, easy-to-maintain mudroom.
Designing a mudroom gives you a chance to organize your storage space. Greenberg suggests building clearly defined cubbies and assigning one to each family member. “No more worrying about whose coat is whose,” she says.
Newton clients wanted to convert an unused storage area between their garage and family room into a mudroom, hoping to prevent damp shoes and clothing from getting dumped in the main house. Thanks to Steveworks’ solution, seen here, each family member gets a cubby, plus additional storage for shoes.
A mudroom can be used for more than just storing coats and shoes. Consider including storage space for seasonal items, extra dining chairs and sports gear. And don’t forget to add a charging station for frequently used household tools. “My dream mudroom has a place for everything,” Greenberg says. “Even a bowl for keys.”
For a family in Newton, the team transformed a screened-in porch into the mudroom seen here, complete with a heated floor. It features two-tier shoe storage, a spot for folding chairs and table leaves and plenty of shelving and cubbies. A lower row of coat hooks makes it easy for the kids to hang their jackets. “There’s even a hook for the dog’s leash,” Greenberg says.
If you don’t have space for a full-fledged mudroom, Greenberg suggests taking ideas from mudroom design and using them in your entryway. Coat hooks, key hooks and a place to put wet shoes are essential. At the very least, protect wood floors from mud and salt by tiling the entryway, she says. Install durable porcelain tile, choosing a pattern that won’t show the dirt.
“A Roslindale couple had very young children, and they were trying to teach them to hang their coats up,” Greenberg says. Unfortunately, they didn’t have space near their entrance, seen here, for a full mudroom. “By moving a radiator, we were able to create a small place where they could sit down, take off their boots and hang their coat nearby,” she says. “Using curved sides for the cubbies helps reduce the mass of the casework.”
No comments yet.