A coat rack is a good mudroom organizing tool.
Families often use the mudroom as their main entrance and exit from the home. Often, a collection of shoes, coats, umbrellas, backpacks and briefcases are dropped there and the mudroom quickly becomes a cluttered mess. Organizing the mudroom can take a little bit of thought, planning and time. Providing enough storage and assigning a place for items will keep the room neat and tidy. Does this Spark an idea?
Minimize and Declutter
Go through the entire mudroom and eliminate anything that you don't need. Donate the coats, shoes and boots that are in good condition but no longer fit and toss the rest. Discard the broken umbrellas and worn-out backpacks. Remove all items that don't actually belong in the mudroom but have somehow found a home there. Take out any furniture that is not essential.
Utilize the Closet
If your mudroom has a closet, utilize it for storage. Begin by cleaning it out thoroughly. Remove anything that does not pertain to the mudroom, like the vacuum or sporting equipment, to ensure that there is enough room in the closet to hang coats and jackets. Add shelving to the closet for storing items and use plastic bins on the floor for larger items such as boots and shoes.
Add Storage
Consider your storage needs and evaluate your space. If your mudroom does not have a closet, see if there is room for a free-standing closet or armoire. Add a wall-mounted coat rack or a coat tree. If you have children, hang a coat rack at their level so that they can hang up their coats and backpacks.
Add as many shelves as you need for storing and organizing day-to-day items such as the mail, coats, shoes and the dog's leash.
Organize
Have a designated spot for all mudroom items. Use decorative baskets and bins for things like mail and library books that need to be returned. Hang small hooks by the door for keys and larger hooks for purses and backpacks. An umbrella stand keeps umbrellas off the floor and out of the way. For children's items, have bins and hooks that are easily accessible to them. Assign each child a specific colored bin to distinguish one from another.
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