Having a mudroom is uber-important to Chicagoland families, no matter how big or bite-size their home may be.
When you combine boots, sneakers, rain and snow gear, and sports accessories, you are left with too much loot to just stack at the door.
To the rescue, 3 simple tips to keep your outdoor junk organized and intact, inside.
A Place for Each Person
Identify and label a space (whether it’s a cubby, shelf or drawer) for each person in your family; plus, save two extra spots for guests. Great cubby options that suit most spaces: look to Walmart, Pottery Barn Kids, the Container Store and Land of Nod (landofnod.com).
Choose an area that’s near the garage or front door (whichever location is most frequented by wet or muddy feet) to zone “mud space” and use it as such. Allocate a hanger for each family member, too, so everyone knows exactly where her coat goes—no questions asked; no jackets tossed on the floor. For the little guys, make the places reachable, leaving you with less need to help (constantly).
Stick With the Season
No need to have winter boots and scarves handy when it’s finally hitting 60 degrees outside. To that point, keep the mud space organized for that season. Make it a family ritual to redo and reorganize at the start of each season, figuring out what can be stored ‘till next season and what should be tossed or, better yet, donated. A few organizations what will gladly take your gently used gear: The Salvation Army and Brown Elephant.
Rug Rage
Regardless of how clean and tidy you keep the space, the floor – sadly – never looks neat, given the wet mess that is Chicago. Avoid mopping daily with a cute throw rug that works with your space, isn’t an eye sore (or “welcome” mat) and won’t break the bank – because, chances are it will need to be replaced (or dry cleaned) every few months. Our favorite places to browse for frugal finds: Target, Cost Plus World Market and Home Goods.
If you want more upscale home décor solutions, check out these stores from our Better List.
Photo courtesy of Wood-Mode