Once overlooked and tucked into a corner, today’s mudroom has claimed its place as one of the most versatile, hardworking areas in the home. Especially in the fall, when muddy boots, bulky or rain-soaked jackets and overstuffed backpacks start piling up, this essential area becomes the frontline of household organization.
For designers, the challenge – and the opportunity – lies in making the mudroom feel as put together and purposeful as any other room while still standing up to daily wear and tear.
Embrace the Mudroom Mess, Don’t Fight It
Spoiler alert – mudrooms are meant to be a little messy, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be beautiful.
No matter how well organized, a mudroom will still collect dirt, dust and clutter. The goal isn’t to make it a pristine showroom. It’s to plan for the mess so you can manage it gracefully and stylishly with small touches and coordinated finishes.
That means durable flooring, washable rugs, practical lighting and well-defined drop zones. Think: hooks for coats, lockers for sports gear, benches with hidden storage for sitting and putting on shoes and baskets for everyday essentials. These elements give everyone their own designated space, maintain order and provide a curated, intentional look.
Visibility Builds Habits
Photo: Courtesy Coleto Brands
Visual cues and structure reduce friction in busy households. Clear bins, open shelving and subtle under shelf lighting streamline daily routines, allowing individuals, especially kids, to locate and return belongings quickly. When storage is visible and easily accessible, it becomes intuitive. Families are more likely to use the system.
Designers also recommend customizing storage height based on user needs. Lower hooks and shelves help kids easily reach things and take responsibility, while top shelves can store seasonal or overflow items. This simple step helps build habits and keeps piles from forming on the floor.
Let Lighting Do More in the Mudroom
Lighting is often neglected, but it can completely redefine a mudroom. It elevates the experience and enhances organization.
Mudrooms are typically right off a garage or side door, lacking windows and natural light. Layered lighting, pairing overhead fixtures with subtle LED tape or task lighting under shelves or inside cubbies, brightens dark nooks.
Well-planned illumination can also set the tone, transforming a once chaotic catch-all room into a warm, inviting entry point, even on gloomy autumn afternoons. Coordinating fixtures with nearby rooms creates cohesive transition into the rest of the home.
Lighting doesn’t have to stop at function. Think of it as curating ambiance. Sculptural pendants, picture lights, or decorative wall sconces – even those typically reserved for living rooms or studies – can add an unexpected touch of sophistication. These thoughtful details reinforce the idea that even utilitarian spaces deserve design intent as much as any part of the home and open the door for deeper personalization and multipurpose use.
Blend Utility with Personality
Photo: Courtesy Coleto Brands
Modern mudrooms are no longer isolated corners – they merge practicality with design elements that reflect a home’s personality. Designers are increasingly combining them with laundry areas, pet stations or home command centers to maximize utility. Built-in sinks and message boards for schedules are also common additions.
Complementary color palettes and finishes mixed with warm tones and layered textures help the mudroom feel like an integrated part of the home, not an afterthought. Mixing eras and styles – like a sleek matte black light fixture with antique brass hooks, or mid-century fixtures with farmhouse cabinetry – creates a collected-over-time feel rather than a builder-grade or cookie-cutter aesthetic.
Coordinate your lighting with hardware for extra polish. For example, champagne bronze or natural brass offers warmth and contrast against white or neutral built-ins, while matte black delivers luxe definition to light wood tones.
A Seasonal Reset
Photo: Courtesy Coleto Brands
As the weather shifts and routines pick up pace, fall is an ideal time to reassess your mudroom. A well-designed setup does more than organize the chaos. It welcomes residents and guests with intention and ease, proving that functional can be beautiful, too.
With visible storage, strategic lighting and durable yet stylish materials, designers and homeowners alike can transform this transitional space into a true household asset – one that supports daily life without compromising style or individuality.
—Dan McGinty, Director of Product Design at Coleto Brands, which includes Kichler and Progress Lighting brands
