1. DECLUTTER WITH A PLAN
While there are dozens of ways to declutter, from Marie Kondo’s famous KonMari method to using a decluttering checklist and turning tidying into a game, your best bet with the mudroom is to take everything out and go through it, item by item, choosing what should stay, says professional organizer Jenn Jordan, from Orjenise.
2. EDIT WHAT GOES BACK IN
Now you’re ready to decide what to put back into the mudroom, the golden question to ask yourself is, ‘Does it all have to live here?’ ‘Try to only have things for the season you’re currently in,’ suggests Jenn. ‘Winter boots, gloves, hats, scarves, and large coats can go away in another part of the home during the summer, and vice versa. And only have the shoes you’re currently wearing – if you have room in a wardrobe upstairs, put any that are not needed daily in there.’
3. SORT OUT YOUR STORAGE
Want to ensure your newly-decluttered space stays that way for longer? Whether it’s an entryway mudroom, garage mudroom, understairs space, or a dedicated room of its own, the key to designing an efficient mudroom is good, sensible storage. And the good news is that this doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
4. BE REALISTIC NOT IDEALISTIC
When considering mudroom ideas, the open versus closed storage debate is a no-brainer for our experts. ‘Making your mudroom too sexy with doors hiding all the stuff is one of the biggest mistakes I see,’ reveals Sarah. ‘Mudrooms should be designed for utility – you need quick and easy access to things to keep your life moving.’
5. STOP FUTURE CLUTTER IN ITS TRACKS
The final step in the decluttering process is to keep your mudroom tidy. ‘To continue to keep the mudroom organized, allocate an area to each family member and teach them the system to keep things tidy,’ suggest Danna and Shira. ‘If you have a pet, designate an area for their leash, outdoor toys, and poop waste bags, etc.’ Although obviously, you’ll have to keep this organized on their behalf!