Comings & Goings
10 inspiring mudrooms that keep clutter at bay or bring order to your quarters in ever-so-stylish ways
1. SHORE TO PLEASE
Photo by Tori Sikkema
Designer Barbara Batesko, owner of Bee Hive Interiors, designed this coastal-inspired mudroom in her own Avon-by-the-Sea home. Painted in “Simply White” by Benjamin Moore & Co., the bright and airy space features plenty of storage and custom touches such as shiplap walls, V-groove ceiling details and a graphic floor tile from Waterworks. For more of this home, visit “Family Style.”
SOURCES architect, Rice and Brown Architects in Sea Girt; builder, North End Builders in Belmar; interior design, Bee Hive Interiors in Avon-by-the-Sea; custom built-ins, Jesse Esh at Pequea Lane Cabinet Shop; wallpaper fabric, “Lemonade” by Schumacher; bench fabric, Kravet; hardware, Wilmette Hardware, light fixture, Visual Comfort & Co.; towels, Serena & Lily.
2. COLOR ME HAPPY
Photo by Donna Dotan
Used primarily in the summertime and located off a back porch that leads to a pool, this Tenafly mudroom serves as both a storage and changing area. “My primary goal was to make it playful and impactful, but also functional,” says designer Abby Gruman of Abby Leigh Designs. Whimsical pink and white Schumacher wallpaper in a polka-dot-inspired motif radiates cheerful vibes, as does the awning-stripe performance fabric on the bench. Baskets hold suntan lotion, swim toys and more while fun anchor hooks tie in with the summer theme.
SOURCES interior design, Abby Leigh Designs in Tenafly; wallpaper, “Lemonade” by Schumacher, fabric on bench, Kravet; baskets, Serena & Lily; anchor hooks, Lisa Jarvis.
3. PRACTICALITY & PUPPY LOVE
Photos by Bartholomew Studio
Designer AJ Margulis of AJ Margulis Interiors converted a portion of a three-car garage into a stylish and storage-packed side entry and mudroom for a Pennington family with two children and two rescue dogs. The mudroom “is an ode to the dogs,” Margulis says, citing the canine-themed wallpaper and other accents. Cabinetry above the dog beds keep essential but unsightly electrical panels out of sight. For more of this home, visit “Practicality & Puppy Love in Pennington.”
The new side entry to the home is cheerful and welcoming, Blue accents coordinate with the wallpaper, which features a repeating pattern of dogs wearing collars in a dash of silvery blue.
SOURCES interior design, AJ Margulis in Pennington; contractor, Martin Builders & Renovators LLC in Titusville; wall covering, Peter Fasano; cabinetry, Mitchell’s Woodworking & Design in Westhampton; cabinet hardware, Tob Knobs; lighting, Rejuvenation; carpet, Mark Phillips; bench cushion, Kravet; pillows, Chelsea Textiles; beadboard paint finish, “White Cloud” by Benjamin Moore & Co.
4. CLEAN ENCOUNTERS
Photos by Christine Gatti
“Pure joy” is how designer Alexa Harris-Ralff, principal of AHR Designs describes the tile in this Summit mudroom against a backdrop of walls painted a soft blue. For the homeowner, “the dog bath in the mudroom was key,” she says. “The dog often enters muddy after running outdoors, and it allows us to clean her off on her way in. It’s also great for cleaning muddy boots.” For more of this home, visit “This Old House.”
SOURCES interior design, AHR Designs in Maplewood; architect, Klesse Architects in Short Hills; builder, Thomas Seneca LLC in East Hanover; wall color, “Intuition” by Benjamin Moore & Co.; light fixtures, Barn Light Electric Co.; cabinet hardware, Rejuvenation; window treatments, Schumacher; floor and dog bath tile, Ann Sacks.
5. DOUBLE THE FUNCTION
Photos by Bartholomew Studio
In this hybrid laundry/mudroom in Monmouth County, a wall and closet were removed and space was taken from a hallway linen closet to create space for built-in cabinetry with convenient bench seating, shoe cubbies and more, says designer Stephanie Alegre, principal designer at Stephanie Alegre Interiors. For more of this home, visit “Relaxed Style in Monmouth County.”
Porcelain backsplash tile in a geometric pattern adds interest against the simple Shaker-style cabinets on the opposite wall.
Before | Photo courtesy of Keller Williams Realty
SOURCES interior design, Stephanie Alegre Interiors in Whiting; builder, Conniff Construction Co. in Whiting; wall color, “Cloud Nine” by Benjamin Moore & Co.; floor and backsplash tile, The Tile Shop in Hamilton Square; cabinetry Basco Remodelers LLC in Ocean; cabinet hardware, Top Knobs; countertop, Bedrock Granite in Shrewsbury; faucet, Delta Faucet; cushion fabric, Thibaut; light fixture, Hinkley.
6. PACK A PUNCH
Photos by Linda Pordon
LEFT: Concealing the laundry zone was among the goals in this small but efficient mudroom in Wyckoff because it is visible from the formal living room. “We wanted to make it look grand,” with vibrant toned custom cabinetry and beautiful decorative pendants with brass accents, says designer Lisa Laliberte-Alle, principal designer and owner of Laliberte Interiors. “We used the golden ratio in proportions, and traditional style panel and crown molding to create a timeless look.” | RIGHT: Doors open to reveal a stacked washer and dryer, small hanging rods and pullout drawers that maximize every square inch.
SOURCES interior design, Laliberte Interiors in Glen Rock; custom cabinetry, NPB Custom Furniture & Architectural Millwork Inc. in Short Hills.; cabinetry paint color, “Alaea” 7579 by Sherwin-Williams.
7. DIVIDE & CONQUER
Photos by Raquel Langworthy
Mudroom cabinetry in a new Rumson home with interiors by Kelli Suozzo, founder of Bowerbird, provides ample storage for a family of six. Individual “lockers” with benches and hooks help keep the couple’s four kids organized. For more of this home, visit “Change of Plans.”
Divided into specific task areas, this corner maximizes storage and work space with open shelving and a built-in desk area.
A long wall in the mudroom serves as the homework and art station for the children.
SOURCES interior design, Bowerbird in Red Bank; wall color, “Oxford White” by Benjamin Moore & Co.; hardware on custom cabinetry, Top Knobs; pendant lights, Worley’s Lighting; floor tile, Artistic Tile in Shrewsbury; chair at corner desk, through nest. in Red Bank.
8. HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
Photo by Kyle J. Caldwell
Built-in cabinetry with individual cubbies in a blue-gray tone keeps this Bergen County mudroom orderly, a practical idea because the clients decided on an open-concept space, says designer Pamela Joseph, owner of Pamela J Design. “There’s no door and it’s not closed off, but it’s neatly tucked away at the back of the house,” Joseph says. Durable slate flooring stands up to wear and tear. For more of this home, visit “Durable Design.”
SOURCES interior design, Pamela J Design in New Milford; architect, Dan D’Agostino of Plan Architecture in Little Falls and Ridgewood; construction manager, BH Luxury Development in Englewood; cabinetry, fabricated by NR Wood Design and painted in “Overcast Day” by California Paints; slate floor tile, Mediterranean Tile in Fairfield; light fixtures, RH.
9. IMAGINE THE UNEXPECTED
Photos by Architectural Media Services
This mudroom was part of a full gut renovation in Rumson that began when the clients decided to convert the adjacent two-car garage into a gym, says designer Alison Nifoussi, owner of Tweak Interiors LLC. “The client wanted something just as cool to enter into the side of the house that is used primarily for easy access,” as opposed to the front door’s more formal entry, she says. “Organic with an edge” is how she describes the resulting space, which encompasses a mudroom/laundry area and powder room.
The combined mudroom/laundry area contains a mix of white oak and white-painted cabinets with hardware in black and satin brass. A matte dimensional tile backsplash in a random geometric pattern lends a touch of the unexpected, while a polished Python black countertop — “a strong stone that can withstand the utility aspect of a laundry room”— offers striking contrast with its graphic swirly movement.
Dual cabinets designed with breathable matte black wire mesh doors make cozy quarters for Beau and Bergie, the family’s adorable Jack Russell Terriers.
Simple 24-by-12-inch ceramic floor tiles resemble limestone and can “take a beating,” the designer says. “Rather than do a simple stacked or running bond pattern, we made random cuts to make it appear shattered and disorganized,” a subtle technique that lends personality, she says.
Each family member gets a closed storage drawer with an upper cabinet and two drawers underneath for added measure. Open shelving also contains ample space for the many shoes a family of four acquires. A custom oversized pegboard keeps athletic accessories contained and within close proximity to an adjacent glass-and-steel-framed gym door (not shown). Says Nifoussi: “The pegs can be removed and the whole layout can be changed, which is super cool and fun.”
Two accent walls in an adjoining powder room are covered in linen wallpaper with a half-moon-inspired design for an artsy, organic feel. An asymmetrical wall sconce adds to the bathroom’s earthiness, and the overhead light, with its sisal netting, beautiful angles, and texture, “brings a breezy sense of casualness to the space,” Nifoussi says. The rich walnut vanity has a Danby marble top with an oversized backsplash cut on a radius.
SOURCES Overall: design Tweak Interiors LLC in Little Silver. Mudroom/Laundry Room: cabinetry and custom fabricated pegboard, Collins Custom Woodworking in Brick; door hardware, Bullet Lock & Safe Co. in Long Branch; all tile, Tiled Interiors in Red Bank; polished Python granite countertop, Bedrock Granite Inc. in Shrewsbury. Powder Room: wallpaper, Linherr Hollingsworth; asymmetrical wall sconce, In Common With; overhead light, Ay Illuminate; Danby countertop and backsplash, Bedroom Granite Inc.
10. HELLO SUNSHINE!
Photo courtesy of Thibaut
Bring on the bubbles, wet bathing suits and anything else that can get tracked in by kids, guests and pets. Thibaut’s performance vinyl wallpaper from the Pavilion Collection pairs durability with a range of brightly colored graphic patterns that are stain-resistant, scrubbable, easy to hang and easy to remove. It’s ideal for high-traffic areas like a mudroom, hallway, kitchen or just about anywhere. Shown is the Maris wallpaper pattern in sunny yellow. The coordinating bench fabric is a worry-free high-performance fabric.