Last week, we covered the plan to relocate the kitchen to a new, more central position in the home (catch up here if you missed it!). Today we're sharing what will take the place of the old kitchen: a new mudroom!
BACKGROUND
In its current layout, the Murray house simply lacks the space for a proper mudroom on the main level. Laundry units are located in the basement, translating into lots of trips up and down stairs, and a single coat closet serves the entire first floor.
INSPIRATION
INSPIRATION
The best mudrooms are designed with purpose & organization in mind -- lots of built-in storage, cubbies, wall hooks, etc. -- thoughtful details that help these hard-working rooms hum with efficiency :). Aesthetically, we love these rooms to be beautiful but simple, providing a calm & clean setting for the tasks at hand. Below are two perfect examples.
DESIGN PLAN
Luckily, in moving the kitchen to its new home along the north wall, we found the perfect location for a new mudroom -- the former kitchen! Here, directly off of the back stairwell, we're able to lay out the mudroom in an l-shape with laundry lining the back wall and drop zone built in along the other. With this configuration, the laundry is tucked away from view, yet super accessible to upstairs bedrooms and the kitchen, and the drop zone is located just steps away from the back door, within easy reach of the back yard and driveway. As an added bonus, we gain a handy broom closet on the backside (directly off the main hallway), doubling the number of closets on the main floor.
With the layout locked in, here's the design plan:
WALLS & FLOORS | The laundry nook and drop zone spaces will receive new paint and oak wood flooring to match the rest of the house.
LAUNDRY NOOK | We'll build out a super functional laundry nook on the west end of the room, taking advantage of the full height of the room. Front-loading washer & dryer units will rest below a new wood countertop (perfect for folding clothes or stowing a laundry basket). We'll hang new cabinetry above, in a white matte shaker-style to match the kitchen, and extend all the way to the ceiling. Vertical v-groove paneling will line the back wall.
DROP ZONE | The drop zone will include more wall-hung cabinetry, shelving, and a built-in bench. Vertical paneling will cover the back wall, where we'll install a row of wall hooks for coats & bags.
WALLS & FLOORS | The laundry nook and drop zone spaces will receive new paint and oak wood flooring to match the rest of the house.
LAUNDRY NOOK | We'll build out a super functional laundry nook on the west end of the room, taking advantage of the full height of the room. Front-loading washer & dryer units will rest below a new wood countertop (perfect for folding clothes or stowing a laundry basket). We'll hang new cabinetry above, in a white matte shaker-style to match the kitchen, and extend all the way to the ceiling. Vertical v-groove paneling will line the back wall.
DROP ZONE | The drop zone will include more wall-hung cabinetry, shelving, and a built-in bench. Vertical paneling will cover the back wall, where we'll install a row of wall hooks for coats & bags.
SELECTIONS + MATERIALS
| Last, finish materials & selections will build on the warm, modern bungalow aesthetic that we've developed for the project (learn more on that here). The design is intentionally pared down to maintain a sense of calm in these busy, hard-working spaces.
We're so excited about this room and know that it will have a huge impact on the livability of the house. Though functional spaces like mudrooms don't always enjoy the design spotlight, when these areas are given due attention & care, it can be such a game-changer -- the difference between a home that feels clumsy and difficult in the day-to-day, and one that just works.
Next week, we'll wrap up plans for the main level with our main bath design post. Then on the upper level, exterior, and landscape plans. Can't wait!