Wednesday, March 20, 2013

31 Reader Space: A Mini-Mudroom Makeover

Spaces like today's always make me warm and happy inside, because someone made something magical happen, out of a very ordinary space.

Anu wrote and shared her recent mini-mudroom makeover, and the instant perma-grin took over and I begged her to let me share it!  I feel like I need to do my part in spreading the perma-grin fever.


Anu started out with a typical entry closet/nook and decided to make it lovely and beautiful and functional.  Here is what she had to say about the project:


What is the main function of the space?

"Our space acts like a "real" mudroom, only on a much smaller scale.  Our tiny closet/stair landing corrals outdoor gear and boots, dog feeding/walking supplies and laundry items {e.g., clothespins, drying rack, etc...}"



Any superstar tips for keeping it organized?

"I find that having a bin for each boy and dog helps keep their hats/mitts/leash easily accessible and saves us a lot of time getting out the door.  Using colourful labels makes putting the items away all the more fun.  My boys are still very little, but my 2 year-old is learning to recognize which bin is his.  The colourful, personalized labels are great motivation for him when learning to put his things away."



What items did you find were essential when organizing the space, and why?

"Having a place for everything is key to keeping things organized.  The labeled bins and baskets keep small items easily accessible and in their places.  The floating bench also helps free up floor space so that I have a spot for the dog food and bowls."



What did you do to go the extra mile and "make it pretty"?

"I love all things handmade and tried to incorporate my interests into the space.  I blanket-stitched the tops of the baskets, sewed a pillow cover and made my own monogram and coat hooks.  I chose bright colours and finishes similar to those found in our kitchen which is next to our new mini mudroom.  I found adding colour really brightened up a previously drab corner."




What items did you DIY to stay on a budget?

"Almost everything in the space is handmade and/or DIY.  I designed the floating bench and my husband built it.  The art consists of two plates I already owned and a monogram that we cut out from the leftover bench material.  The coat hooks were also a DIY project made from wooden cabinet knobs.  To stay on a budget for the items we did buy, we shopped outlet and salvage shops {e.g., the light fixture came from a Habitat for Humanity Restore}."



How has this project impacted your life for the better?

"I am so glad I now have a place for all the baby/toddler/dog gear.  The rest of our house is very thankful to be a little less cluttered!  Finishing this space has also given me the motivation to organize other spaces in our house."


Ready to see the shining before and afters?


There are a few things that Anu mentioned that really resonated with me.
  • First, the obvious; "A place for everything".  It is so important when planning a space to account for how it is used each day, and design a solution for all of the items within that space.  That way, it is simple to maintain the newly finished zone.
  • "Using colourful labels makes putting the items away all the more fun."  I couldn't agree more.  Something about going the extra mile to make labels pleasing, doesn't make the putting away part seem like such a chore.  
  • "The floating bench also helps free up floor space."  Benches and shelves are great space savers.  I love that she was able to give the floor some function, and add a place to sit or set things down as they are coming and going.
  • "Finishing this space has also given me the motivation to organize other spaces in our house."  People ask me sometimes what drives me, and Anu nailed it.  Something about the satisfaction about finishing an awesome projects, keeps me excited to do it again!  So happy that Anu walked away with that same feeling!

I also adore that so much love, time and handmade items went into this space.  That is what makes it truly special.  All of the little details work together to make for a pretty magical mini-mudroom.  You can find all of the details in her original post here.


 ATTENTION!!  Want to be featured in a Reader Space edition?  Have an awesome organizing story to share?  I am looking for projects that have made a positive impact to your life.  Please submit your story and photos here and I would heart to feature them right here, on the blog!!  Photos should be high resolution and unedited.  Please include a description of the project, including any costs, inspiration, and how it has changed your life and routine for the better!  Oh, and no worries my friends, we will NEVER judge "before" pictures because that just wouldn't be nice!  Only love goes on at this blog!

31 comments:

  1. I love this! I've wanted to take the doors off my office closet (right off the front entry) to make it a mini mudroom for so long. We know we want to sell the house in the next couple years though and it just doesn't make sense then. Hopefully in the next house!

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  2. So pretty! Love this little area and it looks so much better with the bench and the shelves instead of the before.

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  3. Those baskets are really awesome! Are they made of felt? They're so interesting. :)

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    1. Hi Diane! The baskets were purchased from West Elm. They are like felt, but not wool. There is a link in my post to a tutorial on the blanket-stitched tops if you'd like to see the baskets in more detail.

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  4. Soo so pretty! I wish we could take the bifold door off of our entry closet so we could have a space like this, but we're renting and I don't know where we'd store extra doors, ha! I'm definitely holding onto this post for future inspiration!

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  5. This is SO smart! By adding the bench, you've added useable space for the dogs as well....very clever. I love the blanket stitching on the felt baskets as well-they were cute as they were-but add such a stylish touch. Thank you for sharing.

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  6. Lovely mudroom! Thank you for sharing.

    Could you please let me know where you got the beautiful gray baskets? And the beautiful tote bag?

    Thanks for the inspiration

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    1. Hi Daina! The baskets were purchased from West Elm and the tote bag was made from Marimekko fabric by a friend. A link to her online store is in my post. Thanks!

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    2. Thank you for the inspiration! I'm ready to take the door off the hinges of my coat closet and turn it into mudroom too. Just the motivation I needed! Your space is beautiful! I also love the rug, so fun! Beautiful job!

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  7. Where are those wire shelves from? What a great use of vertical space...

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    1. Hi Virginia, The baskets were purchased from HomeSense in Canada, but I believe this store is owned by the same company as HomeGoods. I hope that helps!

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    2. i would also like to know where the wire shelves are from!...

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  8. I love this--a few well-chosen, simple, yet beautiful pieces and SO functional as well. I'm definitely filing this one away as a future project! Thanks for sharing!

    ~Abby =)

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  9. Awesome! Where did you get the rug?

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    1. Hi, the rug was purchased from HomeSense in Canada (similar to HomeGoods).

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  10. This is awesome! I LOVE the simple look!

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  11. Oh My Goodness!! I just found your blog and I LOVE it. So happy to know you are out there somewhere finding new ways to organise stuff and make life more beautiful. I organise too. Thanks for sharing x

    http://date-fright.blogspot.co.uk

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  12. What an absolutely lovely closet. I love the bench/shelf. It's perfect! I may install my own in my giant closet.

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  13. This looks great. I wish we had an entry closet I could do something like this to! www.styleoyster.blogspot.com

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  14. Hi just wanted to pop by and say "good Job" give your self a huge pat on the back what an inspiration for such a small space

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  15. I love how simple and organized this is!

    I'm having a giveaway over at my blog! Check it out!
    http://imcraftingmyway.wordpress.com/

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  16. LOVE those woven felt baskets!!! I want to make one. I bet I could. I just need to find some felt...

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    1. Try fabric.com They have a huge selection of 72" wide felt in a bunch of colours. I use it all the time for my kids' felt board and crafts.

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  17. So much inspiration here! I'm so close to finishing our closet turned mudroom project. This was just the inspiration I needed to get that project done!

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  18. I love your new space! It is too cute!
    www.activewomom.com

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  19. I really like how it turned out! I have found that those cabinets made to give you more storage room (like in your 'Before' picture) just end up an easy surface on which to set things (i.e. clutter) and the way you have it setup now makes it much easier to keep it organized. I like simplified organization like this. Good work!

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    1. Thanks Erin! The cupboards you see in the before photo were extras from our kitchen reno and were just being stored there. They definitely were clutter catchers. :)

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  20. What a wonderful space! I was wondering if you could tell me where you purchased the white pet food bin?

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    1. Thanks Jessica. The dog food tin was purchased from the Real Canadian Superstore. The brand on it is Cats+Dawgs.

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  21. Fabric storage bins are very versatile. You can place them on shelves (like you did in the mudroom) to keep items off the floor and out of site. They also work well in storage cubes, bookcases, and under coffee tables. Plus fabric baskets can add a splash of color to the room too.

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