Mudrooms: 3 architects offer tips
A mudroom is a great place to store shoes and coats, and get organized, and even helps keep the rest of the house cleaner. Credit: Newsday/Audrey C. Tiernan
Whether you have a mudroom or want to add one to your house, three Long Island home experts -- Andrew Deleon, architect with John O'Brien Architects in Bohemia; John Mercurio, owner of JAM Home Improvement in Melville; and Annemarie diSalvo, president of diSalvo Interiors in Carle Place and Manhattan -- offer the following tips:
* Mudrooms come in all different sizes; 8 by 8 feet is the standard size, and it's 8 by 10 feet in many newly constructed homes. To accommodate most families, at least 40 square feet of space is needed, as well as a door to close off the space from nearby rooms.
* Some mudrooms have custom floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and closets while other rooms may feature individual shelving units that look like furniture.
* A few essential items needed to keep your mudroom in top working order are a bench (if space permits) and cubbies or cabinets that store shoes, scarves, hats, gloves, helmets, sporting equipment. There also might be a sturdy coat rack or hooks that can be placed at various heights so children have easy access for hanging the mudroom staples as well as flexible shelving to accommodate baskets for additional storage.
* Some mudrooms may include a desk with a large corkboard above it for the family calendar, school bulletins and invitations. In addition, the desk can be used as a charging station for cellphones, iPods, iPads, laptops, etc. And if the room is large enough, some units have an area for the family pet, such as a built-in dog bed.
* Painting a mudroom is recommended over wallpaper, since paint is more durable. Don't be afraid to use color.
* Low-maintenance flooring, such as tile or porcelain with a nonslip finish, is recommended. There are many attractive and functional designs available today that look like natural stone or even hardwood. Try to avoid concrete, vinyl, laminate and natural hardwood, because none of them will hold up as well to grit. (Note: A commercial runner with a rubber back is a good item to keep in storage in the mudroom, which can be rolled out for those wet and snowy days.)
* For older homes that may not have a mudroom, creating a space off the kitchen or family room is an option. Installing a pocket door in your front entryway or building a cubicle unit with sliding doors that can be closed off are other options to consider.
* A window in a mudroom is a great feature. It brings in natural light and airs out the space.
* If you don't have a mudroom, you can have one built onto the exterior of your home. Check with your local municipality for building codes. Working with a qualified architect is recommended.
