Mudroom Renovation Plans: My Design Vision & Moodboard

After 15 years of walking straight from the garage into our dining room (hello, shoe chaos), I’m finally doing the mudroom renovation we’ve always needed—complete with cabinetry, smart storage, and a sink for everything from rinsing paint brushes to potting plants. This space will make our daily flow so much better.

Where I’m Finding the Space

The biggest challenge of this mudroom renovation was figuring out where to put it. After a lot of back-and-forth, I decided to carve out a small portion of the garage to make it happen. At just shy of 100 square feet, the new room will be long and narrow, but still leave enough space to comfortably park a car.

We’ll be removing the existing door that currently leads from the garage into the dining room, and that opening will become a new interior doorway. To make the most of every inch, a new Kohltech exterior door will be installed—bringing in more light and giving us the full width we need for cabinetry and storage.

This small adjustment gives us a dedicated entry that connects perfectly to the rest of the house, without sacrificing functionality in the garage. It’s a smart compromise that will completely transform how we move through our home.

Emtek Select R-Bar Lever handle in Marble | Emtek Magnetic Door Stop |Kohltech 3/4 glass door and round window

Why I’m Finally Building a Mudroom

For years, we’ve entered the house right into the dining room. Backpacks, boots, and sports gear never had a real home. I even squeezed a small coat closet into the half bathroom just to survive winter. A proper mudroom is 15 years overdue, and I’m more than ready to fix the flow of our home.

What I need this space to do:

• Create a drop zone for bags, keys, and mail the second we walk in.
• Tame the shoe situation with easy‑to‑reach pull‑outs and cubbies.
• Add a sink for washing paint brushes, potting plants, and quick cleanups.
• Make hand‑washing easy when I come in from the garden.
• Offer a spot to fill water bottles as we’re heading out the door or on a hot sunny day in the garden.

Explore the product sources and inspiration on my Foyer + Mudroom Project Board.

For more on how I plan my renovations, check out my Home Makeover Project Plan.

Kohltech 3/4 Glass Door in Prairie Pink | EMPOWERED™2 Touch Entry Set with Hercules Smooth Grip Keyed | Light Fixture | Planter

The Plan at a Glance

• Layout: Upper hanging zone for jackets; two deeper drawers beneath; a bank of full‑width pull‑out drawers for shoes; and a counter/sink station opposite the lockers.
• Sink Station: A durable work surface with a sink and easy‑clean backsplash for messy jobs (paint, potting soil, muddy hands).
• Lighting: Layered lighting—ambient ceiling fixture + task lighting over the sink, and art lights to highlight family photos.
• Durability: Waterproof flooring and hardware that stands up to daily use.

Designer Tip: Plan storage by activity, not just by person: garden kit, sports grab‑and‑go, pet walk basket, winter gear, mail/keys tray.

Moodboard: Materials & Brands I’m Using

I’ve created visuals to show how these finishes come together:

• Windows & Door – Kohltech: Energy‑efficient units that brighten the space and bring in natural light without drafts.
• Hardware – Emtek: Classic shapes in a warm finish—durable and beautiful for doors and cabinet pulls.
• Fixtures – House of Rohl: Elegant, hardworking faucet for the sink that feels elevated but will stand the test of time.
• Wallpaper – York Wallcoverings: Soft pattern that adds personality without overwhelming the cabinetry.

Faucet | Soap Pump | Wall Light | Cabinet Handles | Melon Knobs | Cabinet Latch | Farmhouse Sink | Hooks | Art Light | Gold Framed Art | Blue Tile | Hand Towel Bar

Material palette

• Cabinetry: Shaker style cabinetry with a gentle stepped bevel that transitions into the flat recessed panel, creating a soft shadow line—perfect for a timeless yet updated look.
• Flooring: Marble, possibly a mosaic, this hinders on budget.
• Walls: A combination of wallpaper and vertical paneling.
• Metals: Unlaqured brass

Designer Tip: Always test samples together in the actual light of the room. Undertones can shift dramatically between daylight and evening.

For hardware details, read my post on Designer Tips for Perfect Knob Placement.

1. Beachcomber Wallpaper | 2. Blue Hydrangea Wallpaper | 3.Jade Hydrangea Wallpaper | 4. Olive Mill Wallpaper

Storage Details (What Goes Where)

• Hanging Zone: Everyday coats on a sturdy hooks and in the tall cabinet; seasonal overflow in the half bath closet.
• Upper Drawers (2): Deep pull‑outs for hats, mitts, scarves, etc.
• Lower Drawers (Full‑Width): Four shallow, full‑width pull‑outs for shoes—easy to see and grab.
• Sink Cabinet: Cleaning caddy, plant supplies, microfibre cloths, and a bin for wet items.
• Small bank of drawers: Gardening gloves, pruners, seed packets etc.

Timeline & What to Expect

1. Finalize samples & place orders
2. Install Kohltech door/window
3. Millwork + flooring install
4. Wallpaper + paint
5. Hardware + styling (hello, Emtek!)

I’ll share progress shots and budget notes on Instagram and update this post as we go.

FAQs

I’d love to hear what you think! What wallpaper and color combination do you think suits this space best? Do you have a favorite from my moodboard, or would you go bolder—or softer—with the palette?

And while we’re at it, tell me what you’d add (or change!) to make this mudroom even more functional. I’m always open to ideas from fellow design lovers and real-life organizers—because the best spaces are the ones that evolve through conversation. Drop your thoughts in the comments below!