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How I Added a Mudroom in A Small Laundry Room

Here are the cheap and doable DIY projects I used when I Added a Mudroom in a Small Laundry Room.

DIY Mudroom in A Small Laundry Room

This house was built about 23 years ago, so a bit before Mudrooms became a standard in new construction.

But, now we all know that Mudrooms make life so much easier. And we really needed one. Here’s all the DIY projects I used when I added a Mudroom in a Small Laundry Room.

But first, here’s a quick look at what this Mudroom looked like when we moved in.

This area was in our Laundry Room and next to the garage door we always used. So, it was the ideal spot for a Mudroom.

This half of the Laundry Room was extra storage we didn’t need. But instead of ripping these cabinets out, I converted them into a Mudroom Bench. You can see the rest of this Colorful Laundry Room Makeover here.
How I Added a Mudroom in our Small Laundry Room with cheap DIY projects that turned regular cabinets into a mudroom bench and coat storage. How I added a Mudroom Bench in our Small Laundry Room.
Don’t forget to Save this DIY Mudroom in a Small Laundry Room here!

Building a Mudroom Bench in our Laundry Room

That bench started out as a 3/4″ thick plywood built-in base cabinet. Some cabinets are too flimsy to be cut down into a bench. But if your cabinets are sturdy and thick, this is a great low cost DIY.

You'll love this DIY Tall Cabinet Makeover into Coat and Shoe Storage. Convert any cabinets into pretty open cabinet storage with these tips and steps that'll make sure your open cabinets look like custom built-ins. #AbbottsAtHome #OpenCabinets #OpenShelves #MudroomIdeas #CabinetMakeover
Here’s the before picture, guys. The DIY mudroom bench conversion was just beginning. But I had already started trying out coat and shelf layouts for that tall cabinet.

I removed the doors and drawers. Then marked a straight line with a pencil across the lower cabinet and upper cabinet where I wanted to cut them.

I used a circular saw to cut everywhere I could. But near the walls and the longer cabinet I had to use a jigsaw and a handsaw to finish the cuts.

After cutting the upper and lower cabinets, the next step to add this Mudroom in a Small Laundry Room was to add a new top and bottom to those cut off spots.

I used lumber, plywood, and trim molding to finish off the cut down cabinets. Since the lower cabinet would be a mudroom bench, I added extra supports, screwed into the surrounding 3/4″ plywood.

I added v-groove paneling along the back wall with coat hooks. Baskets on the upper shelf hold hats, scarves, and gloves.

Making all of this look nice means lots of sanding and knowing where to use caulk and wood filler on wood trim.

I built the Shoe Storage Crates with my Kreg Jig. I love custom crates because you can make them the perfect size for your space. Here are some great shoe storage options, if you don’t want to build.

How I Added a Mudroom in our Small Laundry Room with cheap DIY projects that turned regular cabinets into a mudroom bench and coat storage. How I added a Mudroom Bench in our Small Laundry Room.
Here’s a look at the finished mudroom bench in a small laundry room. So much better!

How I Added Coat Storage to our Laundry Room

That tall cabinet on the left used to be one of those long cabinets that people like to store brooms in. I converted the bottom half to more shoe storage. I lined the inside of that open cabinet with stained plywood for a pretty, finished look.

The white shelf dividing the 2 different boxes lets me add a 3rd wood bin to that area. Having 3 matching boxes ties both areas together. The white wood box on the top looks nice against the wood stain.

It was designed to be a shorter, open box and easy to use. I kinda have one of those husbands that thinks pulling a drawer out is too much effort. So, this was designed to be super easy for him to drop things in. 😉

How I Added a Mudroom in our Small Laundry Room with cheap DIY projects that turned regular cabinets into a mudroom bench and coat storage. How I added a Mudroom Bench in our Small Laundry Room.
Adding trim around the edge of this tall cabinet gave it a more finished, custom look. The DIY to convert that cabinet and the DIY to add pretty wood cabinet liners really gave this Mudroom a new look. You can barely tell they used to be cabinets now.
Love this DIY! Here are the cheap and doable DIY projects I used when I Added a Mudroom to our Laundry Room. #LaundryRoom #Mudroom #HomeRemodel #MudroomBench #AbbottsAtHome
Love this DIY! Here are the cheap and doable DIY projects I used when I Added a Mudroom to our Laundry Room. #LaundryRoom #Mudroom #HomeRemodel #MudroomBench #AbbottsAtHome

I love the view of this little Mudroom from our kitchen now. It just seems so cozy and homey. The DIY Over Washer and Dryer Laundry Table I built to fit over the washer and dryer plays a huge part in giving the room some style.

Plus, it’s just a great place to drop the purse and keys, fold laundry, and it hides those big machines. You can find the DIY for that wood slice wall hook here too. I love having a place to hang cute aprons in a kitchen. Cute aprons add so much charm and color.

Love this DIY! Here are the cheap and doable DIY projects I used when I Added a Mudroom to our Laundry Room. #LaundryRoom #Mudroom #HomeRemodel #MudroomBench #AbbottsAtHome

The woven baskets over the bench have been a great place to store gloves, scarves, and hats. The 4 hooks typically hold the coats we’re grabbing the most for that season and the kids book bags.

I used a v-groove MDF panel to connect the bench to the upper cabinet, like a hall tree. I framed that in with 1×3 pine dimensional lumber. You can see more small laundry room ideas here.

Love this DIY! Here are the cheap and doable DIY projects I used when I Added a Mudroom to our Laundry Room. #LaundryRoom #Mudroom #HomeRemodel #MudroomBench #AbbottsAtHome

Adding a Closet Rod and Brackets to that open tall, open cabinet gives us lots of extra coat storage. That storage area above the coats typically stores my purse and my husbands laptop bag.

I have to say, this new Mudroom in our small laundry room is well loved and used all day long. I’m so happy that I went for it with this project. Sometimes a big change is the best way to add function to a home. 🙂

One last thing! Crazily enough, this little Mudroom Bench and Coat Storage was actually featured in an issue of Better Homes and Gardens. It was a really incredible experience. I’m still pinching myself.

You can read all about the BHG photo shoot and how it happened here.

The Behind the Scenes details behind this DIY bloggers BHG I Did It feature in 2018. #AbbottsAtHome #BHG #BetterHomesandGardens #BHGIDidIt
You can see the behind the scenes details on the Better Homes and Gardens photo shoot here.

Looking for more home remodeling ideas? You can find my DIY Home Remodeling videos in this playlist on YouTube. Or check out all the DIY videos on my channel here.


Looking for more home design ideas and inspiration? I love this DIY Simple Coffered Ceiling Makeover.

Try this Simple DIY Coffered Ceiling Design I used to give my Dining Room ceiling a beautiful new look. Includes lots of pictures and a how to video. DIY Ceiling Design Ideas. DIY Ceiling Makeover Ideas.

And this DIY Vaulted Ceiling Makeover.

Here's a peek at the rooms I've never really shown you. And, the story behind why I haven't done their room reveals yet. A couple just need a few finishing touches. Like our master bedroom. But, they're all full of Traditional Home Room Makeover Ideas. #AbbottsAtHome #MasterBedroom #BedroomIdeas #FarmhouseStyle #TraditionalHome #MasterBedroomIdeas #VaultedCeiling

This Master Bathroom Before and After Makeover is full of DIY tips and tutorials.

I love this beautiful Master Bathroom Makeover with traditional style and stylish bathroom decor ideas. #BathroomDecor #BathroomDecorIdeas #BathroomDesign #MasterBathroom #BeforeAndAfter #BathroomRemodel

Make beautiful DIY Wood Overlay Drawer Fronts with this simple tutorial.

How to build a Quick & Easy DIY Wood Drawer Front with a pretty routed edge, slab overlay design. I love how adding a simple routed edge to this DIY Wood Drawer Front gave it a beautiful, classic, high end look. That was so, so easy!

Have a look at this Before and After Colorful Living Room Makeover for more home ideas.

A few tips, DIY upholstery pictures, and my favorite tutorials to upholster a wingback chair. I'm so glad I gave this wingchair a makeover and it doesn't require any fancy sewing skills, guys. Plus, I am loving that Blue Velvet fabric!! #AbbottsAtHome #Upholstery #DIYProjects #Reupholster #Wingback #Velvet

Check out the rooms that I’m still working on. They’re already looking pretty good, but not quite ready. Or, see how I add pops of color to a home with Light Walls.


Thanks for checking out how I Added a Mudroom in a Small Laundry Room. Please let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.

April J Harris

Monday 11th of March 2019

What a fabulous transformation! Your mud room looks fantastic. Pinning. Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope to see you again this week. Have a lovely week ahead!

Stephanie

Tuesday 12th of March 2019

Thanks so much, April!

angie

Friday 8th of March 2019

I feel a bit jealous love the looks of your mud room / laundry room now I am putting it on my own list thanks for sharing come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

Stephanie

Saturday 9th of March 2019

Thanks so much, Angie!

Cherryl Ehlenburg

Tuesday 5th of March 2019

I am collecting mud room ideas, so I pinned this! Our laundry room is in the basement, so that probably won't work, but the space we plan to use is very small, so these ideas will help!

Stephanie

Wednesday 6th of March 2019

Thanks, Cherryl. I hope it helps you find space for yours!

Pamela Ray

Tuesday 5th of March 2019

I love this. The crates are so cute and perfect for the space. I have been looking to something like this to our laundry room. Thanks for the inspiration.

Stephanie

Tuesday 5th of March 2019

Thanks, Pamela. So glad you got some inspiration from this. That's why I blog. :)

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