Mudroom Makeover: A Step-by-Step Guide from DIY Experts

Having a mudroom is great, but it needs to be functional and serve its intended purpose. Rebecca and Mike’s mudroom had become a makeshift “catch-all” for winter gear, shoes, the baby stroller and other assorted items. It was essentially a roadblock vs. an entryway. It also needed a face lift: the old rolled vinyl floor was tired and dirty, the walls were bright blue, and the existing organization system just didn’t work for their family. What they wanted was a kid-friendly come-and-go portal that would keep dirt, mud and other tracked debris out of the house. The space also had to be warm and welcoming since guests will also sometimes enter through the mudroom. Rebecca and Mike’s local Home Hardware store helped them find all the right tools and products for their reno. Here’s their breakdown of how they did it.

1. Hexagon Penny Tile Flooring

We wanted something bright, durable and wipeable (because kids) so we chose a white hexagon penny tile. It comes in netted square foot sections which makes it super easy to install. We used a hand held tile snapper for the edges (no wet tile saw required). For the grout we went with a bleached white colour to make the space feel bigger and more open, and wow did it ever make a difference! Instead of ripping up the old flooring we just laid a subfloor over the old one. It only raised the floor half an inch, it’s super insulating, and overall was very easy to install.

2. ​DIY Shiplap Walls

First, we applied a coat of BeautiTone Primer over the old blue paint to prevent it from showing through the spaces in our DIY shiplap. The coverage was incredible and all it needed was one coat. We then used ¼” plywood cut into 8-inch panels and fastened them to the wall with a nailer, using a single nail as a spacer between the boards. Our local Home Hardware store cut the boards for us, which was a huge time saver. When finished the white colour and vertical design gave the space a more modern feel.

3. Back Door Statement Colour

We love neutral colours but when it comes to doors a strong statement is essential. We found a beautiful sage tone on Pinterest and took it to Home Hardware. They simply correlated the paint code to one of their BeautiTone paints and Presto…a perfect match! We primed the door with the same primer we used on the walls and shiplap, and then did two coats of the sage colour in BeautiTone Trim & Door Paint. The consistency was great, it dried fast, and provided a really nice finish.

4. Floating Bench

The bench was made out of plywood. The floating concept covers the entire width and length of the nook for plenty of seating and underneath storage. We used three baskets for easy storing of shoes, gloves, hats and other accessories. This design keeps everything within the kids’ reach, which will encourage them to put their stuff away…right? As a topper we installed hooks above the bench for hanging jackets and coats.

Our mudroom transformation looks fantastic! The all-white floor and walls really added some texture to the space and gives it a kind of “coastal vibe”. Not only does the room feel bigger and more practical; it also just feels better. This is a game changer in staying organized and tidy, and we may even add another storage solution above the bench down the road.