You know those “if you give a mouse a cookie” projects that lead to many more? Our mudroom was the first domino. It prompted a main floor renovation, a new kitchen, and then a return visit to finish this little room. It sounds a bit silly, but I’m glad it unfolded that way.
I’ll include links to the full renovation at the end, but this post focuses on the mudroom makeover: how it began, what we changed (and what we didn’t), and why. We made several cosmetic updates, but we also leaned on existing features and kept what worked.
Believe it or not, the renovation began two years ago. We only just added the light in this room a few months ago, so these projects take time. I already have more ideas for this space, but for now we love how it turned out.
I’m never sure what to call this space — mudroom, pantry, dog feeding station, hallway — maybe you have a more charming name? Butler’s pantry would be dreamy, but this little mudroom suits our needs perfectly.
Note: A few photos here were shown in a past Christmas tour; we don’t leave holiday decor up year-round.
Mudroom Makeover Projects
Removing the exterior door
This wall once led to the backyard, but the doorway was closed to make room for the Tiny Cottage, which now houses my parents. I missed the natural light that window brought in, but it was a small sacrifice to create that new space.
Closing that door is what set the larger renovation in motion: we needed a new way to access the backyard, so new exterior doors became part of a bigger plan. That led to a new kitchen with French doors, and many other updates. I could have added doors without renovating the kitchen, but the larger renovation made sense for our home overall.
Mudroom Layout
Although the closed door launched the larger renovation, we ultimately kept this mudroom’s original layout. The doorway was patched, cosmetic updates were made to align the space with the rest of the main floor, but no major structural changes were needed.
This compact room sits off the kitchen and functions as a small hub: it leads to the garage, the Tiny Cottage, and the nearby powder room. Because the layout worked for our daily routines, we opted to keep it intact rather than overhaul it.
I did toy with more extensive ideas while renovating — it’s what I do — but living in the home first confirmed that the existing arrangement met our needs. My advice: live in a space before changing it, so you truly understand how it functions.
This mudroom is the only main-floor room with flexible storage space, so despite its size I love the closet and the open floor area. To prevent it from becoming a clutter catchall, we defined clear purposes for each area and made the room attractive — an approach that helps keep things tidy.
Flooring
We replaced flooring throughout the house and extended the same White Oak engineered hardwood into the mudroom and pantry closet. Carrying the same flooring through small spaces creates a cohesive, clean look and makes the area feel larger. In other homes you might choose a transition like tile meeting wood for a charming touch.
Paint
Since the main floor was getting repainted, we refreshed this room too. We used a reverse trim color: woodwork in a soft blue (Smoke, Benjamin Moore) and walls in a warm creamy white (Classic Light Buff, Sherwin Williams). The new palette feels cheerful and ties the mudroom into the kitchen scheme.
Pantry Closet
The pantry closet already had solid shelving, so we left the structure intact and simply repainted it to match the room. It’s flexible for pantry items or other storage needs; we may add hooks or baskets later. Lazy Susans we owned from the previous kitchen proved useful here for organizing smaller items and keeping everything visible.
I like leaving some floor space in the closet so it can serve as a temporary holding spot during parties or while loading the garage.
Dog Feeding Station: Use What You Have
This room primarily serves as the dogs’ feeding area. Instead of installing a custom built-in station, we made the existing bench work. It provides a convenient spot for food storage and bowls, and there’s storage underneath for extras.
Glass jars
I stored dog food in airtight glass jars to keep things tidy and fresh. With both a puppy and a senior dog, we keep different food types accessible on the bench for quick access during feeding.
Design spaces for the people (or pets) who use them most — in our case, the feeding setup needed to be easy for the primary feeder to reach and use.
Baskets
We placed the jars in baskets to prevent them from being knocked over, contain the bowls, and add texture. Baskets keep everything together and make the area feel intentional rather than temporary.
Hooks
Hooks are indispensable. We swapped in whimsical whale-tail hooks from our previous home as a playful nod to our coastal style and to echo the whale wallpaper in the adjacent powder room. Day-to-day they hold breadboards, small baskets with treats or supplements, guest coats, and tote bags.
Hooks keep frequently used items within reach and help prevent clutter from accumulating on surfaces.
Decorative Updates
Botanical artwork
Two large framed botanical prints anchor the wall and introduce calming shades of green. They add color and personality without overwhelming the small room.
Light Fixture
The new light fixture, a pretty green semi-flush mount, was the last piece we added. Swapping light fixtures gradually as you make a house your own is an easy way to infuse personality into each room.
Round Rug
A small round rug in Legacy Blue makes the room cozy, pulls the palette together, and fits the space’s shape better than a rectangular rug would. It’s versatile enough to use in the powder room as well.
Corkboard
A large corkboard we already owned now hangs here and serves as a practical spot for reminders and lists. Using existing items can buy time while you decide on permanent solutions.
We’re also making a few updates in the powder room next door. The whale wallpaper will stay for now while we work on a few small changes; I’ll share more on that project soon.
And that’s the story of the little room that kicked everything off. We have no regrets — this is our forever home and we want every space to work well. Defining clear purposes for each area and keeping things attractive helps maintain order: a place for everything, and everything in its place.
That phrase has guided our renovation choices this year and kept the project thoughtful and intentional.
Whale Tail Hooks
Lazy Susans
Semi Flush Mount Light in Gloss Rosemary
Round Braided Rug in Legacy Blue
Botanical Art (similar)
Airtight Glass Jar with Lid
Airtight Glass Jar with Lid (Larger size)
Large Baskets
Similar Large Wood Board
Ocean Art Print in This Walnut Oak Wood Frame