I’m convinced boots, snow pants, mittens and hats reproduce each night. The sheer volume of stuff, coupled with a lack of adequate storage space, make keeping our entryway neat and organized nearly impossible. Then, just when I think I have a handle on it, a fresh blanket of snow falls, beckoning the kids outdoors to start the cycle anew.

I’ve done some creative finagling to achieve some semblance of organization in the laundry room. It’s only about 8’x6’, and with a sink, washer and dryer included, space is at a premium.

One thing that helps is the addition of a couple of inexpensive boot trays, which corral moisture and protect the tile floor.

Maximize space

Another thing we did was remove the counter top in the room. Originally intended as a surface on which to fold clothes, it became apparent after a few weeks that it just took up space.

In its place, we installed two rows of wall-mounted coat hooks. One row is lower down on the wall to accommodate our youngest and her limited reach, and another higher up for adult-sized clothes and larger, longer items. We chose hardware that could adequately support heftier winter outerwear.

Another addition was a wooden drying rack, which can be folded and stored away when not in use. It’s great for wet hats and mittens and the occasional sweater that needs to be air dried.

One thing the space lacks is proper seating. I’d love a bench with built in storage compartments upon which we could sit to remove shoes and boots at our leisure. It’s on the list.

So, DIY’ers, what what have you got to say about mud rooms? What creative things have you done to wrangle outerwear? Hit me up in the comments!