Mudrooms might be a relatively new concept for many Australian homes, but they’re fast becoming an essential part of modern living.
To dive deeper into this trend, we spoke with Geelong Interior Designer Rebecca Jansma, who shared her insights on why every home could benefit from a mudroom and how to make the most of this multifunctional space.
Why Incorporate a Mudroom?
As our homes expand and open plan living becomes the norm, the need for dedicated spaces to manage the mess of daily life has grown. According to Rebecca, “Mudrooms provide a buffer between the exterior and interior spaces – offering a convenient spot for ‘dumping’ school bags, work jackets, gum boots, sports gear – all necessary to life, and seemingly endlessly increasing as a family grows. But these are not items we want in our entry, living room, laundry, or bedrooms.” Essentially, a mudroom acts as a catch-all space that keeps the rest of your home tidy and clutter free.
A Growing Trend
Rebecca highlights that mudrooms are becoming more popular in Australia, influenced by the interior designs of the US and UK.
“The ‘mud room’ originated in the old country homes of England, where you divested yourself of muddy boots, wet jackets, bags, and moved into warmer, cleaner spaces. We don’t have such extreme winters in most of Australia, but the concept is practical and I think will be a continuing trend in our homes – often combined with the laundry space.”
Must-Have Features for Your Mudroom
To create a functional mudroom that caters to your family’s needs, Rebecca recommends including a mix of open shelving for bags, open space for shoes and boots, hooks for jackets and hats, and closed cupboards for specific outdoor gear.
Rebecca suggests visiting the Design Stuff website for all your hooks and other knicknacks.
“A seating area to remove muddy boots is also essential,” she adds.
For a touch of style and practicality, Rebecca suggests painting the space in darker colours and using robust flooring to withstand heavy use.
Making the Most of Smaller Spaces
Not everyone has a huge area to dedicate to a mudroom, but Rebecca assures that even smaller spaces can be transformed effectively.
“You can literally create an alcove or ‘mud-cupboard’ in your laundry or rear entry (often coming in from the garage).
Incorporate open space at the bottom for shoes, another for a school bag, and a seating area with a bench cushion. Multiple hooks can also add functionality and charm.”
Rebecca’s tips prove that with a bit of creativity, any home can benefit from a mudroom, no matter the size. And the best part? Your local Independent Cabinet Maker can help bring this vision to life with custom cabinetry tailored to your needs.
Ready to transform your laundry or entryway with a functional and stylish mudroom?
Contact an Independent Cabinet Maker in Geelong today and take the first step towards a more organised home.
About Rebecca Jansma
Rebecca Jansma Interior Design studio works across residential, commercial and hospitality projects in Geelong and Melbourne.
Rebecca lives and breathes interiors!
Rebecca has a great weakness for beautiful craftsmanship in all its forms and tries to impress that on her clients as well.
If you want a quality new build or renovation (or mudroom), contact Rebecca Jansma.