Mud room designs are usually dependent upon their location in the house and the make-up of the families using them. The three primary locations for mud rooms are by the back door, off the kitchen, near the entryway. Each type is generally designed around the family or the individuals using it.
For those with children, wall units with cubbyholes work best. Hooks and storage benches for outdoor and sports equipment provide a place for children and adults to sit and change shoes. Mud room designs which include a floor drain are especially convenient.
Back door mud room designs usually require the least decorating finesse and are generally considered the most convenient. This type of mud room is least likely to be seen by visitors, so a more utilitarian approach is usually taken with decor. Back door mud rooms are usually considered a great area for storage space.
Large storage bins are also often part of back door mud room designs. The back door mudroom provides a handy place to keep rain and sports gear. These mud room designs likely include tables to act as way-stations for items coming and going to the car and for crafts deemed too messy for the rest of the house.
Mud rooms off the kitchen often require a little more attention to décor. This type of mud room should incorporate aspects of the kitchen, such as coloring, cabinetry, and floor type, to give the impression that it is an extension of the kitchen. Families with children will still need a large amount of storage. Unlike the backdoor style, a mud room off the kitchen should probably have hidden storage to give it a more polished look.
Designs for entryway mud rooms contain the basic components found in other mud room designs but are often more formal. Benches that double as storage space are generally located out of the line of foot traffic. Umbrella stands and an area containing hooks of various heights are also important features of entryway mud room designs.
An entryway mud room can also serve as a staging area where purses, briefcases, and cell phones with chargers can easily be stored. Keys and pet leashes can be hung near coats so they are on hand when needed. Wastepaper cans and bill baskets are also convenient items to have in an entryway mud room. Junk mail can easily be tossed out and important bills are filed for future payment.