As I sit here and type this, it’s Charlotte’s first (and probably last) snowy day of the year... The ground is not yet covered; instead it’s a southern, wintery mix of red mud, dried grass and a dusting of snow - the perfect recipe for a mess! Wildly excited and wildly dirty, my children and Labrador retrievers run in and out of the house to warm up and change wet mittens. It’s in this happy chaos that I’m reminded of how much I love a good mudroom!
A great mudroom, or drop zone as they’re often called, is not just for the odd snowy day but is also an everyday workhorse of a room. This one little room gives busy families a practical solution to life’s most common messes. A high functioning mudroom provides a spot to kick off muddy shoes before dirt is tracked through the house, hooks for kids to hang coats and backpacks, a Dutch door to corral pets and their food, and a small desk or countertop where mail can be sorted and electronics charged. This room can be equally as gorgeous as it is practical, and the best part is that it can be the easiest room to add. A small addition off a back door, closing in a side entry or screened porch, or even adding a few custom details to make a back hallway or laundry room highly efficient can give you tremendous value for minimum investment.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a mudroom on this snowy day; we are renting a home while we build our new home. But I have spent countless hours designing the perfect mudroom for our family and I’m dreaming of that space for next year’s snow day! In the meantime, I’m doing my best to pick up and dry out mittens and mop the floors… again.
Mary Ludemann is the founder of New Old and has been designing and building homes for over 12 years. To discuss your next dream build or renovation project, contact New Old at 704-975-5196. For more information, visit www.newold.com or email them at building@newold.com