Mudrooms
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These helpful buffer zones allow an orderly exit—and reentry—with a place for everything.
Must-Haves
Open hooks for airing out damp outerwear
Shelves with bins for corralling accessories
A seat for pulling footwear on and off
Resilient surfaces that dirt can't hurt
Room 1: Floor-to-Ceiling Cubbies
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This one-wall mudroom can handle a season's worth of athletic gear and outerwear.
Tip: Cheer up a utilitarian space with a colorful indoor-outdoor runner. To clean it, just shake it out or hose it down.
Open Storage
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Ample 16-inch-deep cubbies mean each family member has places to stash footwear, sports equipment, toys, and more.
Neat Catchalls
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Metal bins, fabric-lined baskets, and color-coded boxes organize small items and store off-season goods.
Easy-Care Surfaces
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High-gloss paint resists scuffs, and stone-look porcelain floor tiles won't show scratches. Both are a snap to clean.
Room 2: Locker-Lined Stair Wall
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A furniture-grade storage unit mounted alongside stairs turns a front foyer into a mini mudroom.
Curvaceous Compartments
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Open lockers with hooks have handsome curved frames that make the unit formal enough for a front entry. The oak, chosen to match the stairs, is finished with water-shedding polyurethane.
Tip: Lockers should be at least 2 feet wide so that there's space for each person's bags and outerwear.
Closed Cabinets
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Rarely used items, like binoculars, are tucked up top behind flip-up doors.
Stable Seating
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The 10-foot bench projects nearly 2 feet from the wall to provide a safe toehold for reaching top cabinets. Arched supports echo the locker frames and divide the slate-tile floor into landing spots for shoes.
Room 3: Open-and-Shut Storage
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Exposed hooks and discreet closets and drawers create a high-functioning, clutter-free drop zone.
Extra-Tall Closets
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Eight-foot-high doors hide away baskets of balls and outerwear not worn every day.
Oversize Hooks
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Jackets and bags practically hang themselves up on generous hooks above the bench.
Handy Pullouts
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Small, clutter-creating items, such as dog leashes, gloves, and sunscreen, are concealed inside large drawers. Roomy cutouts offer a glimpse of what's inside and a comfortable handhold.
Flip-Top Bench
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Along with providing a spot for slipping shoes on and off, this perch's lid opens up to stow baseball bats and lacrosse sticks.
Tip: Make cleaning up after muddy feet (and paws) a cinch by sealing porous bricks with a clear coat for masonry.
Pantries
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These kitchen offshoots keep supplies centralized and out of the cooking zone.
Must-Haves
Open shelves for quick access and slide-outs for heavy items
Fuss-free surfaces in case of spills
Good lighting for easy hunting
Room 4: U-Shaped Closet
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Warm finishes keep the look as polished as the adjacent kitchen, inspiring a sense of order.
Adjustable Shelves
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These shelves can be raised or lowered to accommodate everything from canned goods and recipe binders to candlesticks and centerpieces.
Tip: To amp up lighting in a closed pantry—and add a style boost—hang a pair of pendants instead of just one.
Specialized Storage
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Rods flanking the center unit allow table linens to hang wrinkle-free, while slim, felt-lined drawers keep silverware from tarnishing.
Spill-Proof Surface
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The granite countertop looks luxe, complements the richly hued wood, and wipes down easily.
Room 5: Sunny Nook
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Lots of light makes this pantry alcove a practical dishware-storage and food-prep station.
Deep Drawers
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Full-extension hardware ensures access to every inch of these pullouts.
Tip: Stash heavy and frequently used items at waist height.
Well-Placed Prep Space
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A 25-inch-deep laminate countertop provides a convenient work surface.
Easy Access
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Serving items sit at the ready on open shelves—and double as decor.
Closed Cabinets
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Small appliances and bulk grains can be kept cool, dark, and dust-free behind closed doors.
Room 6: Shallow Space-Saver
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A fully loaded grid of open shelves and cabinets can disappear behind a functional piece of salvage.
Strategic Sliding Door
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The weathered bank-vault door, mounted on a heavy-duty track, adds character, hides clutter, and—unlike a swing-open door—won't block traffic.
Tip: Chalkboard paint can turn a wall or door into an erasable shopping list and message board.
Low-Profile Lighting
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A small, nickel-finished ceiling fixture reinforces the kitchen's vintage look while illuminating items at the back of shelves.
Backup Power
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Outlets allow for stashing a wine cooler and other small appliances to clear space in the cooking area.
Potting Rooms
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First-class finishes and a fun hit of color make for a pleasant gardening place.
Must-Haves
A deep sink with a raised faucet to fit pots and watering cans
Tall shelves and roomy cabinets for tools and containers
An easy-care work surface and floor
Room 7: Open to the Outdoors
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A Dutch door blocks pets while inviting air and light into a workstation for potting plants and filling vases.
Rustic Sink and Counter
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Soapstone has an earthy, traditional look, and chips and wear only add character.
Quick-Clean Vinyl Floor
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Water and potting soil mop up fast when there's no grout to catch them.
Tip: Line a deep drawer with a heavy-duty plastic bag to serve as a soil bin.
Room 8: Plumbed Hutch
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A furniture-like potting center combines glass-front and solid cabinet doors for display and storage.
Rugged Rimmed Sink
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An extra-deep (nearly a foot) cast-iron basin with a raised lip helps contain splashes.
Waterproof Backsplash
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Classic subway tile gives this cottage-inspired setup a pretty-yet-practical backdrop.
Eye-Catching Shelf
An open shelf mounted on corbels is a showcase for cloches, colorful containers, and potted plants.
Tough Work Surface
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The nonporous Corian countertop mimics wood but stands up to assaults from liquid fertilizer, thorny rose branches, and heavy ceramic pots.
Tip: Keep track of drawer contents with bin pulls that have apothecary-style label holders built right in.
Laundry Rooms
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These well-organized, well-lit rooms help take the dread out of wash day.
Must-Haves
Countertop space for folding
Cabinets for containing detergent and other supplies
Sink for hand-washables
Rods or racks for air-drying
Room 9: Bright and Spacious
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The U shape offers space for sorting, washing, folding, and hanging.
Kitchen-Worthy Cabinetry
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Custom cupboards painted a vintage green—complemented by a tall beadboard backsplash with a plate rail for displaying artwork—look inviting and accommodate every laundry necessity, as well as ironing and sewing supplies.
Ample Counter Space
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A long run of solid surfacing holds stacks of folded clothes.
Tip: Create an under-counter spot for a laundry basket so that it won't be underfoot.
Air-Drying Stations
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Charming hinged wood wall racks latch at the top when not in use. A shower-curtain rod in front of the window allows damp laundry to get a full dose of fresh air. A coated-metal mesh rack set into the countertop keeps knitwear flat for drying.
Room 10: High Efficiency
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Everything is within easy reach in this compact, light-filled laundry center.
Low-Care Counter
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Front loaders topped with a quartz slab create a space-saving folding area.
Over-the-Sink Rod
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Laundry on hangers can drip-dry over the sink.
Tip: Install under-cabinet lighting to make treating stains easier.
Pull-Down Faucets
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An adjustable spray helps with rinsing out hand-washables.
Slide-Out Drying Racks
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Slatted wood pullouts, a generous 27 inches wide and 20 inches deep, can handle bulky wet sweaters.