5 Tips For Mudrooms That Want To Be Foyers
Create a “wow” first impression with these 5 Tips For Mudrooms That Want To Be Foyers.
You know the old saying, “First impressions are last impressions.” I feel this way about going to a restaurant; if the bread is bad, I’m not optimistic about what follows. Well, these 5 tips for mudrooms that want to be foyers will whet your guests’ appetites for more interior delights!
1. A Mudroom in Disguise or a True-To-Form Foyer?
Once upon a time, in stately manners, the foyer was a grand and often circular receptor where chandeliers reigned from high amid winding staircases; cue the lady in the fancy dress. As for servants, or mucky-booted residents, they entered through the back and unloaded their gear made wet by inclement weather in the mudroom. Fast forward to 2022, and not every home has a defined entranceway, let alone a separate room to sling mud! Thus, the first step is to determine what your goals are with this space; are you going all out in establishing it as a mudroom? Do you wish it to perform a dual function as a mudroom/entranceway? Do you want to obscure the fact that it’s a mudroom, hiding those components and presenting them purely as a foyer? Choose one and proceed accordingly.
2. Muddying the Waters with Mudroom/Foyer Hybrids
This room is the first thing guests see. Thus, you want to ensure that all elements are cohesive with both design goals and functionality. Choose water-resistant, easy-to-clean flooring. Assure it either flows into the adjacent room or makes a statement demarcating a separate space. This goes for storage too. If you want to clarify it is a family home with no apologies, there are playful ways to do so. One of my favorites is this mudroom dresser with chalkboard name plates that you can DIY. If you are opting for mudroom incognito, there are tricks to creating storage that doesn’t detract from a more sophisticated or minimalist entryway design. Thus, #2 of 5 tips for mudrooms that want to be foyers is to establish a signature space that is pleasing to the eye while hiding its attributes from taking wear and tear. You know, the place where mud, rainwater, dog leashes, and kids’ outdoor sports gear gets thrown.
3. Duality means two things at once. Duplicity often obscures one or the other.
Instinctually, many of us want to throw our keys on a table as soon as we enter our homes. Making this an established habit renders remembering where we left them easier when the time comes to dash out again. As with my previous article, 17 Interior Design Basics, it’s important to establish a tone for the room so you can choose these elements accordingly. If you are squeezed for space, a thin-lined, sleek console in chrome or white with a decorative basket or bowl can easily hide its service as a key and mail receptacle. If you need to fill space, creating a seating area that appears to be a tea break nook, but also offers a place to sit and take off one’s shoes will accomplish both. As for the shoes themselves? I found both of these options excellent for accomplishing an inviting aesthetic with a creative way to mask function.
These two pieces prove that even a small home with a “no shoes” policy doesn’t have to mean a cluttered entryway!
4. Let’s be honest, my foyer is a mudroom!
I’m the kind of person who prefers someone true to who he or she is, rather than pretending to be something else. As with #3, that doesn’t always go for design. Sometimes, however, it’s refreshing to see a room make a statement bold and proud. These Lifestyle-tech elements say, “Hey, I’m a mudroom first.” without having to forgo the desired tasks handled before one makes their way into the rest of your home.
–UV shoe sanitizers are a great way to stop bacteria and viruses from being tracked into the home.
—Smart faucets over mini-sinks are excellent for the gardener’s hands or the kids, fresh from playing in the slush and muck of the outdoors. With just a wave of the hand, water turn on, which means you don’t have to touch any dirty surfaces. You can also set the water temperature to your preference; no more waiting for the water to heat up. This is very helpful in winter months. In addition, smart faucets come with built-in filtration systems.
— Robot vacuum cleaners are small, self-contained devices. They easily navigate around furniture and clean even the tightest spaces. Because they run wireless and remote, they can run for long periods. Thus, they can get to your mudroom consistently as that’s one area where debris is regularly tracked.
5. Mudroom/Foyer Design Hacks
Whether you’re a renter or suffer from design indecision, peel-and-stick flooring can be your best friend. this option offers easy-to-clean-and-replace flooring at little cost. Customized storage like the Nodli series at IKEA allows you to stack per preference. This storage doubles as seating or a console surface. Pegboard, coat hooks on the wall, and mudroom hutches complete with seating, storage, and mounts allow for a three-in-one that fits snuggly in an alcove or single wall. A small wooden shoe rack or vintage trunk can serve for storage in an orderly or out-of-sight way. Floating chairs allow for space underfoot to place wet galoshes. Add a decorative wicker basket or bin in which the balls can be tossed. Radiant heated floors warm sock-less feet in a jiffy.
And Finally, I’m obsessed!
Have fun with it!