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Our Family Garage Mudroom
What’s better than hearing your 8 year-old say repeatedly that your setup is “so cool!” ? Instant supermom pride!
For most of my life, the front door was the go-to way in and out. Then we moved to a house with a garage, and we had a decision to make. I mean, let’s face it—most garages are overstuffed. In fact, studies show that while 84% of people try to use their garage for parking, 93% end up stuffing it with storage instead!
“Studies show that while 84% of people try to use their garage for parking, 93% end up stuffing it with storage instead!”
I mean, I understand, don’t we all need more storage?! Storage space is never enough!
My husband and I agreed: our garage would actually fit our cars. Living in Canada, there’s nothing better than getting into a snow-free, frost-free car without the daily hassle of remote-starting, scraping ice, and digging out from overnight snow buildup, all in freezing temperatures!
Mission accomplished! Our garage officially became home to our cars. Over time, all our jackets, shoes, and winter gear slowly migrated to the garage.
And I embraced it. I’m all about going with the flow! Rather than forcing everyone to follow strict rules and processes, I try to observe the natural rhythm of our routines and adapt our home to fit. The result? Less mess, less stress, less do’s and don'ts to repeat, and a more maintainable, clutter-free space!
“Rather than forcing everyone to follow strict rules and processes, I try to observe the natural rhythm of our routines and adapt our home to fit.”
Come along into my garage mudroom…
Before and After: How Our Garage Mudroom Evolved
Before
Our starter garage mudroom setup was simple: two hooks per person, a shelf for keys, a mud-rug, and a boot tray. But it quickly became clear this wasn’t enough. The bench was too high for the kids, so they’d end up on the stairs, which meant squeezing around them in the rush out the door.
After
We leveled up! Now we’ve got two kid-sized chairs, an extra boot tray (one for them and one for us), handy pouches for all the winter extras, plus hooks for bags, umbrellas—you name it!
Our 2 Favorite Garage Mudroom Additions: The Mirror and Mini-Fridge!
We added a mirror for those last-minute touch-ups and a mini-fridge stocked with water bottles and ready-to-go snacks for the kids.
Think about it: What’s the one thing you always seem to need during a drive? Or the thing the kids constantly ask for? Yep, water! And let’s be real, nobody wants to quench their thirst with lukewarm water. Now, we have ice-cold water on hand, ready to grab and go whenever we need it. Honestly, this has become one of my favorite purchases—it’s been a small change with a big impact!
Now, the whole family’s set and ready to roll!
“It’s been a small change with a big impact!”
This is my humble garage mudroom so far—simple yet practical, with a spot for each family member. Now, leaving the house (which, for families with kids, often feels like a warzone—parents, you know what I mean!) feels less chaotic and more like a smooth, welcoming transition into the day ahead.
Plans For My Future Optimal Mudroom
While I’m loving our current setup, I have to admit—it’s just a step toward my dream mudroom. Like every other room in our home, I’ve got big ideas and projects ready for my wonderfully handy (and totally thrilled!) husband.
Owning a house means constant renovation and maintenance. If it were up to me, I’d dive in and update every room at once—wouldn’t that be amazing? But in real life, we have to prioritize and tackle projects one by one.
Here is what I would change if I could start tomorrow:
Contemporary Garage Glow-Up: I would love for the whole garage to be updated. Refinish the walls, add a fresh coat of paint. An epoxy based flooring would be trendy and timeless, and install an overhead storage as well as wall storage units to free up even more space.
Garage Mudroom Makeover with a Modern look: Built-in sections for each family member! Think matching areas with hooks for jackets and bags, a handy basket up top for winter gear, a cozy bench or sitting area, a tray for shoes and boots, and a durable mud-rug stretching all the way from the stairs. I would definitely keep our mirror and the mini-fridge. Functional, organized, and totally stylish.
For now, though, I’m thrilled with the setup we have. The kids have their zones, everything is easy to grab, and every time they mention how “cool” it is, I feel like a mudroom superstar! Cheers to small upgrades that make life a little smoother!
Conclusion
Transforming our garage mudroom into a space that truly works for our family has been such a rewarding experience. From its modest beginnings to the efficient, kid-friendly zone it is today, this space has quickly become an essential part of our daily routine.
I love that it makes leaving the house feel less rushed, keeps everything organized, and fully functional! While I still have big dreams for future upgrades, this mudroom has become our very own hub of style and efficiency.
Here’s to those little changes that make a big impact—and to the next exciting project just around the corner!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the points you found most interesting and invite any ideas on how we could enhance this garage mudroom setup.
Leave a comment below and share with a friend!
And stay tuned for the next update!
Reference: Home Innovation Research Labs
“Ninety-three percent of homeowners surveyed use garages for storage while 84 percent use it for parking a vehicle. This isn’t so surprising when you consider another finding of the study – only about 70 percent of garage space in single-family homes is available for parking because the floor space is occupied by something other than a parked car.”
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