Easy Ways To Transform Your Garage Into A Mudroom

Shoes, school bags and if your children are into sports, sports bags and equipment may be littered around the garage, leaving little to no room for your car to park in the safety of your garage. But, it doesn’t need to be this way. You can transform your garage into a mudroom, which is similar to a cloak room, but is a drop off point for all of your mess, clutter and muddy shoes, so it doesn’t need to enter the house. You don’t need to spend a fortune to organise your garage, in fact you can buy some simple materials and spend a weekend on a DIY project that will be a huge help during the workweek.

Plan your space

For the first part of your transformation, you will need to plan out your space and how you want it to be changed. Because everyone has plenty of different uses and reasons for a mudroom, it’s important to determine what you need from your space and what you need for it to work for you. Some people may have 2 children who love sports, so an area for sports gear is a must. Others don’t have children, but may have three dogs, so space for dog toys and walking accessories will be required instead. Determining what your needs are is the key to figuring out how you will create your own mudroom.

Once you know what you need to store and what you want from your mudroom, it’s time to start planning out what will go where. Storage is a huge must for your mudroom, as you will need plenty of areas to store shoes, accessories and other items such as bags, sports gear and umbrellas. It often helps to draw a simple guide of the area you have to work with and draw in some features that you’d like to add. It doesn’t have to be an artistic masterpiece, it is simply used to help you visualise the space and what you want to achieve. If you’re stuck for ideas, you can search a site such as Pinterest for inspiring images.

Gather Your Materials

Now that you know what you want your end result to look like, it’s time to gather your materials to make it happen. You can buy some plywood or melamine sheets from your local hardware if you need a custom fit for cupboards and shelving. Alternatively, there are plenty of DIY packs for storage that can be purchased which generally only need a bit of assembly and they’re ready to use. With plenty of storage options available, you can easily find a kit that will provide for your needs, as well as give the look that you’re after.

Don’t forget to buy storage baskets, hampers, bins and tubs. These will always come in handy and you’ll always find a use for them. They don’t need to be fancy (unless you want a particular style and look for your mudroom), so if you just want a space that will do the job on a budget, standard plastic tubs are often relatively cheap to obtain.

If you have the need to store bags such as school bags or even a handbag or two for going out, invest in some wall hooks. Not only does it look neater to have bags hanging on the wall, it clears a space for other items to be stored. Coats and jackets will also do well by being hung on a hook rather than thrown in a heap on the floor or on a shelf.

Give it a paint job

If your garage is anything like ours, it hasn’t been painted since it was built, there are dirt marks on the walls and maybe even a hole or two or scratches in some areas from being used constantly. This is where a quick paint will give your garage a whole new life. Start by cleaning your walls with a solution such as sugar soap to remove any dirt, debris or chemicals and fumes from your vehicle that may have settled in the garage. Next, fill any holes or gaps with a putty or filler and allow it to dry completely before smoothing over and sanding back.

Once your walls are prepared and ready to paint, choose a colour you’re in love with to paint the garage. You don’t have to paint the whole garage if you do not wish to, or if you don’t have the budget to. You can simply paint one wall or even just the section of garage where you will have your mudroom space. You can choose a colour that you just like for no reason, or you can choose a colour that matches the shelving and accessories you have chosen.

Finish with accessories

If you have seats for people to be able to put on and remove shoes, you can choose to add a cushion to the benches or chairs to make it a bit more comfortable and to add a little more style. If you have children using the area, you can designate a space for each child by adding their name on the wall for their section, or even their first initial. This can be done by applying decals or even painting it on the wall yourself.

Finally, ensure all fixtures and fittings work for convenience and safety. Ensure garage lights are all in working order and are safe to use. Replace any light bulbs that are blown, ensure switches are all safe and locks and handles to the garage or doors into the home are easily used and working.