Mudroom must haves

From built-in storage and benches to laundry features that keep messes contained, a functional mudroom helps your home stay organized as people come and go. It’s a simple upgrade that brings order, comfort, and a smoother flow to your day.

A modern laundry room with wooden cabinets, a black door leading outside, a black laundry machine, hanging clothes, green geometric tile backsplash, and a white countertop with a black sink.
Entryway with white cabinetry, a marble countertop, a white farmhouse sink, a wall-mounted cabinet, and a wooden bench with storage, next to a door with small window panes, on a dark wooden floor.
Laundry room with red door, floral wallpaper, washer and dryer, wooden floor, red cabinets, and a small bench with baskets.

As summer winds down and back-to-school routines kick in, it’s pretty common to look around your home and think, “we could use a little more organization around here.” Many homeowners are finding that the answer isn’t more baskets—it’s a better drop zone. Enter the mudroom.

Sure, you could keep a growing pile of shoes by the back door, but a well-designed mudroom offers a much better solution. This hardworking space acts as a buffer between the outside world and the calm of your home—catching the mess before it spreads. Here are a few ideas that can turn your mudroom into one of the most useful (and surprisingly favorite) rooms in the house.

Utility Sink

A deep utility sink is a game-changer. It’s perfect for messy cleanup jobs that don’t belong in the kitchen or bathroom sink—think muddy shoes, paint brushes, or post-game uniforms. If your mudroom also doubles as a laundry space, a utility sink is a natural fit.

Hose-Down Area

For active households, a hose-down area is worth its weight in gold. Dirty boots, gardening tools, sports gear—even the family dog—can all be cleaned up without tracking the mess inside. It’s one of those features you don’t realize you need until you have it.

Storage Lockers

“A place for everything and everything in its place.” Built-in lockers make it easy to keep coats, backpacks, sports equipment, and boots organized and right where you need them. No more last-minute searches—or clutter spilling into the rest of the house.

Mud Bench

Every good mudroom needs a place to sit and kick off your boots. Add built-in storage underneath, and you’ve got a practical mud bench that keeps footwear tucked away while making daily comings and goings more comfortable.

Washer & Dryer

Placing your washer and dryer in the mudroom can save time—and steps. Since dirty clothes often land near the back door anyway, it just makes sense to drop them straight into a hamper or washer. Whether you choose a side-by-side setup or a stacked option to save space, it’s a smart and efficient layout.

Folding Counter

A long folding counter makes laundry day easier and more organized. It gives you a dedicated space to fold clothes right out of the dryer and adds valuable storage underneath for supplies and linens.

Laundry Chute

In a multi-story home, a laundry chute is a simple convenience that makes a big difference. Getting dirty clothes downstairs quickly (and without a trail) is a win for everyone—and kids might even enjoy helping when there’s a chute involved.

Recycling Center

Finding a good home for recycling bins can be tricky. A built-in recycling center in the mudroom keeps everything sorted, out of sight, and easy to access. It’s an eco-friendly solution that helps keep your home looking clean and uncluttered.