10 Organizing Essentials for a Hardworking Mudroom

When you don’t have a mudroom, it can seem as though this magical space is the answer to all entryway clutter problems. Unfortunately, even when you have a space dedicated to housing all of your family’s boots and backpacks, all that stuff doesn’t just organize itself. That’s where this guide comes in. With a few key organizing essentials and the right strategy, you can guide the flow of things into their proper homes and enjoy the hardworking beauty of your mudroom.

1. Bowl

A pretty bowl or basket placed on an easily reached surface is the most convenient spot for tossing daily essentials like keys, sunglasses and phones. Pick one that’s big enough for your essentials but not too big — otherwise it will become a catchall for random clutter.

2. Message Board

Even die-hard digital-note takers can use a physical message board in the mudroom. Use it to quickly jot down reminders for events, things you need at the store or notes for other members of the household. Choose a chalkboard or dry-erase surface, with or without a calendar.

3. Storage Ottoman

If your mudroom is big enough to include a seat, consider making it one that includes hidden storage. Use the interior space to stow spare pairs of shoes, outdoor gear or pet necessities. Just be intentional about which category of items you’re storing there — otherwise, this useful piece has the potential to be filled with stuff that belongs elsewhere.

4. Magazine File

Instead of piling magazines, catalogs and notices on a flat surface, stash these items in upright magazine files. If you have a large, busy household, assign each person an individual magazine file for collecting mail.

5. Drawer Organizers

If you have a drawer in your mudroom, you need a drawer organizer. Modular types work well, since you can pick and choose exactly which shapes and sizes you need to do the job. This is prime storage real estate, so make sure everything in your drawer earns its spot.

6. Hamper

When you or a child or furry friend comes in after an outdoor adventure, having an easy spot to drop wet, mucky clothes can be a lifesaver. Bonus: A roomy basket also can be used to hold bulky items like balls and sports gear.

7. Wall Hooks

Even if you have a coat closet, a few sturdy wall hooks make a handy spot for guests to hang coats and bags. If your mudroom doesn’t have a closet, including plenty of wall hooks is key to keeping the space neat.

8. Labels

When you first get your mudroom organized, it might seem so obvious where everything goes that labeling feels unnecessary. But a few weeks or months down the road, you’re a lot likelier to keep up with your new system if you have clearly labeled shelves, files and bins. Use a label maker for a neat, uniform look, or handwrite content categories on sticky labels to keep it simple.

9. Umbrella Stand

Contain wet umbrellas and keep drips off the floor with a sturdy umbrella stand. When the rainy season has come and gone, an umbrella stand can also hold baseball bats, walking sticks or even ski poles.

10. Open Baskets

Mittens, hats and scarves need a place to land, and if there aren’t enough baskets and bins to contain them, the place they will land on is the floor. Add labels, color-code the baskets or use both methods to make it clear which basket is whose.