The mudroom is where coats, shoes, backpacks, sports bags and the dog's leash all land at once. Without a plan, that pile spreads into the kitchen. With the right cabinets, every person and every item has a place, and the entry stays clear. This guide covers the pieces, the sizes and the finishes that make a mudroom work.
Start with who uses it and what they carry
Before you think about cabinets, make a quick list:
- How many people come in through this door every day?
- What do they carry? Backpacks, laptop bags, sports gear, strollers, groceries, dog supplies.
- What changes by season? Winter coats and boots in the cold months, beach and pool gear in summer.
- What should be hidden and what can be on display?
That list decides how many lockers you need and how much open versus closed storage makes sense.
The building blocks
Lockers or open cubbies
One section per person, usually with hooks for coats and bags, a shelf above and space for shoes below.
- Width: about 15 to 24 inches per person. Around 18 inches fits a coat and a backpack comfortably.
- Height: full-height lockers often run 72 to 84 inches, sometimes up to the ceiling with a cabinet on top for seasonal items.
- Depth: about 15 to 20 inches, enough for a hanging coat without blocking the bench.
- Open or with doors: open cubbies are quick to use; doors hide the clutter.
A bench
A bench gives everyone a place to sit and put on shoes, and it is often the heart of the mudroom.
- Seat height: about 18 inches, the same as a chair.
- Seat depth: about 15 to 18 inches.
- Under the bench: open shoe cubbies, baskets or drawers. Pull-out drawers or bins are easier to keep tidy than open floor space.
Closed cabinets
Tall cabinets or a row of base and upper cabinets hold what you don't want to see: cleaning supplies, pet food, spare umbrellas, sports equipment.
A drop zone
A small counter or shelf near the door for keys, mail, sunglasses and a phone charger stops those things from ending up on the kitchen counter. Add an outlet if you want a charging spot.
Layout ideas
- A single wall of lockers with a bench across the bottom is the most common mudroom, and it fits even a wide hallway.
- An L-shape adds closed cabinets or a tall pantry-style unit on a second wall.
- Combined with laundry: many homes join the mudroom and laundry room. Lockers on one wall and the machines with a folding counter on another work well together, and a utility sink helps with muddy boots and pets.
Leave a clear path through the room. About 36 inches of open floor in front of benches and lockers is a comfortable minimum, more if several people come in at once.
Finishes that stand up to daily use
Mudrooms take wet boots, dirty sports gear and constant use, so durability matters more than in most rooms.
- Cabinet finishes: choose finishes that wipe clean easily. Painted cabinets in a darker or mid-tone color hide scuffs better than bright white.
- Bench top: a hard-wearing surface such as stained wood with a durable finish, or a solid surface that resists water.
- Hooks: sturdy, well-anchored hooks; mudroom hooks carry heavy bags.
- Flooring: tile, luxury vinyl plank or another water-resistant floor, ideally with a boot tray or a mat that can be cleaned.
Small details that make a difference
- Hooks at two heights so children can hang their own things.
- Ventilation in lockers (slatted or open backs) so damp coats and gear can dry.
- A cabinet for each season, so out-of-season coats and gear move up and out of the way.
- Labels or name plates on each locker in a busy household.
- Lighting over the bench and the lockers, especially if the mudroom is windowless.
Quick planning checklist
- List who uses the entry and what they carry.
- Measure the space, including doors, windows and the path through the room.
- Decide how many lockers or cubbies you need, at about 18 inches each.
- Add a bench at about 18 inches high, with storage below.
- Add closed cabinets and a drop zone.
- Choose durable finishes, flooring and good lighting.
Bring your measurements and a photo of the space to one of our showrooms. We can lay out a mudroom with you, and our own shop builds the lockers, benches and cabinets to fit.