Make the Most of Your Mudroom

Does your mudroom have you heading straight for the door? With the hustle and bustle of daily life --school, work, extracurriculars --a mudroom can quickly accumulate unnecessary mess and clutter. Luckily, it's easy to keep your frustrations from piling up like the many pairs of shoes. Follow these easy tips and make the most out of your mudroom.

Keep it Clean

After a long day, it's easy to drop belongings at the door, which can quickly add up to a big mess. Take charge of this spot by adding a multi-tiered coat rack and an attractive umbrella holder to keep coats and book bags off the floor while providing a place for those sopping umbrellas to dry.

Contain the clutter by adding storage cabinets. Manufacturers, such as Sauder offer a variety of decorative cabinets and shelves in many different finishes to meet your storage and decor needs. Plus, by keeping storage vertical, you can add extra space you never even knew you had. Label or color-code the shelves for each family member to keep everyone organized and reduce the risk of lost or misplaced items.

Let's Get Functional

Start by rethinking your utility sink and remember you can be functional and fashionable. Replace the utility tub with a more decorative stainless steel sink. Manufacturers such as Moen offer these easy-to-clean, durable sinks in a variety of shapes and sizes, including deep single bowls or multiple bowls to help you tackle a variety of tasks. Add a pullout faucet, such as Moen's Integra faucet in a Chrome or Stainless finish, for added style appeal and functionality. Pullout faucets can help tackle the messiest of jobs, like washing the dog, rinsing mud from boots or cleaning up after an art project -- all with the bonus of eye-catching design.

To alleviate stress and confusion, hang a dry erase or chalk message board and key ring next to the door. The message board will keep everyone on the same page when it comes to remembering important things, like returning movies or the date of the next Girl Scout meeting; while the hooks will keep your keys easily accessible when running out the door.

A Personal Touch Is a Must

Adding some personal touches can make a mudroom feel cozier. Hang a decorative mirror to make the room seem larger and to give you a place to inspect your lipstick before heading out. Place an indoor/outdoor decorative rug near the door to add some color and texture to the room, while also trapping dirt and dampness before it gets to the rest of the house. Finally, decorative baskets, such as Longaberger, can be both flattering and functional in a mudroom. These accessories can be the added touch to create a warm decorative feel, while also work wonders to store a variety of items from scarves and gloves to gardening tools.

With just a few changes, you can eliminate the mess from your mudroom and transform it into a useful and well-organized room.