HHello Inspired Room readers — Cassie here with my first post of the new year. January always feels like a time for fresh starts around our house. After the holidays we tend to want to organize, clean, and tackle the projects that will make daily life easier. This year one of those projects was the mudroom, which had become more of a dumping ground than a useful entry space.
Our mudroom after adding a bench, board and batten trim, new hooks, and a fresh coat of white paint.
We began the month in clean-up mode and quickly decided the mudroom needed a complete refresh. It wasn’t functioning for our family, so we cleared everything out — coats, shoes, baby gear, and all the accumulated junk — then sketched a plan and made a shopping list of the materials we’d need.
Before — it really was a mess.
Once the space was cleared, our first build was a bench with storage cubbies. We wanted a designated place for shoes that would keep them contained and prevent the clutter that used to spread across the floor. The bench gives each pair a home and keeps the entry tidy.
After clearing out the junk.
Left: wooden bench installed. Right: bench with molding and caulked seams.
With the bench in place, we added trim and a shelf above it to frame the area and provide a spot for coat hooks. Before painting we carefully caulked seams and filled nail holes so the finish would look clean and finished.
Shelf with molding and caulked details.
We opted not to install full wood paneling behind the trim as in traditional board-and-batten — this spot is tucked away and not highly visible, so we chose a simpler approach that still created the desired look without the extra work.
After the first coat of paint.
We painted the bench, walls, and trim the same shade of white — Dover White by Sherwin-Williams — matching the rest of our home’s trim for a built-in, cohesive feel. Painting everything the same color brightened the space and helped the new elements feel integrated.
Entry view after the makeover.
The whole project took less than a week, with most work done in the evenings after the kids were asleep. I’m so pleased with the result — it feels brighter and is already much more functional for our family. The bench is a helpful spot for the toddler to sit while putting shoes on, and it gives a place to set the baby car seat while loading the car.
Storing shoes in baskets inside the cubbies has made a big difference. The baskets keep the floor clear and help limit how many pairs stay downstairs — when a basket fills, we return those shoes upstairs. We also keep the coat closet for bulkier items and hang only the most-used coats and bags on the hooks for quick access.
This small update brings me joy every time I come and go. It functions better, looks cleaner, and has made day-to-day routines smoother. If you have a messy corner in your home, a focused, simple project like this can make a big difference.
Until next time!
More posts by Cassie:
Ikea Play Kitchen “Renovation”
Toddler Girl’s Room Tour
“Outer Space Meets Robots” Nursery Tour
Small Backyard Renovation