In many homes, the mudroom is the gateway into the house. In homes without a mudroom, a dedicated entryway space serves the same purpose. While it's easy to let things clutter and accumulate in these spaces, it's just as easy to find storage and organization solutions that work--no matter how much space you have. Here are some tips for adding more storage and organization to your entryway or mudroom.
Having a mixture of different storage spaces adds flexibility and convenience. For instance, having both open cubbies and traditional drawers in your entryway or mudroom lets you store items strategically. Store backpacks, handbags or other essential grab-and-go belongings in a cubby within easy reach while dedicating the drawer space for more long-term storage. You can be creative with cubbies, too: try adding shelves, hooks and baskets for additional style and organization.
Wall hooks are an excellent way to store a variety of items, especially when floor space is limited. A classic wall rack with coat hooks or pegs is a simple solution. However, to get the most out of your wall storage, try mounting hooks at different heights. This will help every household member reach their own belongings and make more room. When you stagger the hooks at different heights, you avoid some of the overstuffed wall clutter that can come from hanging bulky jackets side by side.
A mudroom collects far more than coats and shoes. It may also be a place where you drop your keys, your mail or the newspaper when coming inside. In rainy seasons, you may also have a wet umbrella on hand. The best way to corral all of these potential items is to have dedicated spaces for each type. For example, have a specific shelf or hook for keys, a wall-mounted mail organizer and a waterproof bucket for wet umbrellas and accessories. This way, you save space and keep everything in its place.
I'm John Mahan, Sales Associate with William Raveis Real Estate, Harwich Port Office.
Throughout his childhood, John Mahan spent summers on Cape Cod at his parents’ home in Dennis Port. His intro to the Cape was, as he puts it, when his parents “carried me down the stairs at Sea Street Beach when I was a week old.” With a lifelong connection to Cape Cod, it seemed only natural for John and his wife, Mary, to move to Harwich – where they still reside – with their two young children in 1996.
Prior to moving to Cape Cod, John lived in the Worcester-Auburn area where he worked for Mass Electric for 10 years and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Utility Workers. When John and his family moved to the Cape, he worked at NSTAR for six years.
John began his career in real estate in 2002 when he joined Team Waystack Realty in Harwich Port. He has been a consistent top producing realtor in the Harwich area for the past 20 years. John’s approachable demeanor, combined with an integral understanding of the Cape Cod residential real estate market, have allowed him to build trusting, long-term relationships with his clients – both sellers and buyers.
