CHICAGO, GURNEE, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …
By the name alone, the mudroom has low self-esteem. After all, the moniker suggests it’s okay to get it dirty. Still, if you want your mudroom to be more efficient, or if you want to create a mudroom, there are some basic guidelines to follow.
“The mudroom was designed as a way to keep wet and/or dirty shoes and clothes out of other parts of the house. Yet it doesn’t take much for the clutter in a mudroom to get out of control so that it becomes an obstacle on your way in and out of the house,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Northern Illinois. “By incorporating a few organizational ideas and using some ‘user-friendly’ materials, your mudroom can be a cleaner operation.”
For starters, Kushner suggests the following:
- Flooring – By definition, mudrooms are prone to dirt and that means wear and tear. For material, you will probably want to install something durable like textured rubber, or ceramic or unpolished stone tile. No matter what you select, a darker color will aid in camouflaging dirt. An outdoor doormat made of rubble or bristle and an indoor mat made of a water-absorbing material can minimize the dirt that gets tracked into the house.
- Walls – Vinyl wallpaper or high-gloss paint are viable options for walls that will no doubt need to be wiped down frequently. You may also want to consider vinyl cove as a low-maintenance, economical choice for baseboard—particularly since the mudroom is likely to need a good mopping from time to time.
- Coat storage – You can go the route of hooks or take it a step further with cubbies for the kids’ coats. If you go with hooks, make sure to hang them at child’s height. Have a little fun with this and assign everybody their own hook/cubby and label it.
- Waterproof area – For inclement weather, you’ll want a waterproof area for wet items like hats, gloves, scarves, etc. A drip tray/scraper topped by a removable grate can be invaluable for wet shoes. You can also create a makeshift drying rack out of an accordion-style wine rack.
- Seating/storage – A good bench is an essential part of a mudroom. Make sure the bench is off to the side and doesn’t obstruct any doorways. The space under the bench can be used for storing shoes. Better yet, a built-in bench or window seat, hinged at the top, can help keep clutter under wraps.
“A lot of older homes, and some newer ones, were built without mudrooms. If you don’t have one, you should really designate a transitional area where people enter the house as your mudroom,” said Kushner. “Not only does it provide a storage space for bulky coats and boots, but it saves the wear and tear on the rugs and floor inside your home and makes the upkeep of your home more manageable.”
About DirectBuy Club
Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.
Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com.
Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.
To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.
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