Make Use Of Extra Garage Space With A Mudroom DIY

Let's face it: life has a way of taking over the house. Your keys end up here, your jacket there, and your kids' lunchboxes are somewhere in the mix. And let's not even talk about the dirt, dust, and general gunk that gets tracked into our homes every day. The solution? A mudroom. Originally created to house discarded muddy work clothes and boots, mudrooms have evolved into the ultimate transition room – a place to store everyday essentials like keys, shoes, purses, coats, and backpacks, until they're needed the next day. But, as much as we might wish it, not every home comes with this functional space. In that case, this is your sign to create your own, using a space that you likely already pass through daily: your garage.

Whether a whole side of your garage is empty or there's a few feet available, you create a mudroom that fits your exact needs, lifestyle, and budget. Oh, and it's an excuse to finally check "organize your garage like a professional" off your to-do list.

First, decide which area you want to turn into your new mudroom and measure it. Knowing its dimensions will help you in a few steps when you're ready to furnish it. Then, it's time to clean. Return any misplaced tools or materials to their rightful spots in the garage. Wash down the walls and clean your garage floors, give any shelves a thorough dusting, and remove any cobwebs. Next, decide what you need to make daily life easier. Think about what you can't find in the morning or what creates visual clutter in your home. Maybe your kids can never find their favorite shoes or your work laptop ends up in different places around the house. These answers will help you uncover organizational hiccups and encourage you to customize your mudroom to solve them.

The last thing to consider is your garage itself. Is it prone to dust or bugs? Consider skipping the cute hanging baskets for snap-close storage containers or drawers. If it gets cold in the winter, think about adding warm blankets or space heaters. If your garage gets hot easily, adding a ceiling fan or stylish standing fans will help keep the space cool. Once you've worked through these steps, you'll easily see what storage you need to make your mudroom work for you. Then you can start with the fun part: putting it together!

This mudroom DIY is versatile in so many ways, including budget. If you want to create a mudroom on a tighter budget, take a page from Joanna Gaines and shop from your home. Give that old dresser a new coat of paint and move it into your new mudroom to act as a key organizer and shoe holder. Similarly, the storage bench that doesn't quite fit in your living room anymore can find a new use as a shoe bench. For hanging storage, Command hooks are easy to install, inexpensive, and renter-friendly. Add a new coat of paint and hang some of your favorite art or pictures to complete the look for under $50.

If you have a little room in your budget and want to truly upgrade the space, add wainscoting or other decorative trim to the walls, some beautiful lighting, and a mudroom mainstay: a storage bench, like the HOMSHO 2-Tier Storage Bench. If you've got a free weekend, consider building cubbies to make the best use of vertical space. Lay down an area or runner rug to complete your DIY mudroom.