Maegan Tintari / https://www.flickr.com/photos/lovemaegan/4665584678
When your family loves to play outside, there is likely a pile of dirty boots, grimy gloves, and miscellaneous shoes by the door at any given time. There is nothing wrong with some muddy fun, but bringing the filth indoors can make for constant cleaning. With a few simple additions to your entryway area, you can combat the mess and finally organize that unsightly accumulation of all-weather gear!
No More Puddles
A heavy-duty rug is useful to have, but when your boots are really soiled or wet, a tray is a must. Boot trays can be purchased for as little as $5, but with a bit of creativity you can fashion an attractive variation. Smooth stones added to the tray can give it a more sophisticated look while allowing water to drain through. Collect some of your favorite specimens next time you go for a hike along a stream or pick up a bag of smooth pebbles at your nearest craft store. A portion of a wooden pallet can also be used for the same purpose when cut length-wise. Dirty or wet shoes can be placed on the pallet to dry while being elevated off of the floor, which is especially useful during the snowy winter months.
Cubby-Holes
The thought of cubby-holes may harken back to memories of Kindergarten, but you can easily create a well-organized space by your door with the same method. Look for some wooden crates that can be stacked for this purpose. Shoes and athletic gear can easily be stored in these spaces, making it simple to designate a spot for each family member. Vintage fruit crates are easy to find by cruising through eBay listings or attending local estate auctions. If you are short on time, make a trip to the craft store and paint or stain them to match your taste. If you’re feeling extra-ambitious, you can even create your own cubby by following a step-by-step tutorial such as this one.
Hang it Up
Is there really such a thing as having too many hooks by the door? You can never go wrong by installing a row of hooks in the mudroom area for coats, scarves, purses, totes, keys, flyswatters, backpacks, dog leashes, goggles, helmets…well, you get the idea. For loose items, install a towel rod in this area and hang some small, decorative buckets or baskets from it. You can use these containers for gloves, hats, and other small, hard-to-hang articles. Remember to hang this rod low if children will be using it. A fun chalkboard or calendar placed in this area can be a great way to leave notes and reminders for everyone in the family, too.
Finishing Touches
If you have room for one, consider adding a bench. Being able to sit down to take shoes on and off will provide some comfort in your mudroom while also adding interest to what may be a boring hallway. The space beneath the bench can also be used for more storage. A ceramic crock or giant planter can be a great place to store umbrellas, walking sticks, baseball bats, and other similar items beside the door. It is unlikely that the dirt will disappear altogether from this area, but a little bit of organization goes a long way when it comes to staying on top of the muddy mess!
