Our mudroom has come a long way since we first arrived at this old Georgian. Tucked away at the back of the house—dark, beige and outdated—it was anything but inviting.
But we had plans for this busy little walk-through.
As the primary entrance for a house full of kids and dogs, this space needed a cheery, bright personality to welcome our family home. And perhaps, a bit of a North Shore coastal vibe as a nod to our life here along the Lake Michigan shore.
So as we renovated, restyled and redecorated our way through the first floor, we made sure this tiny spot had its turn to make a big impression. It’s amazing how a few simple changes can totally refresh and redefine a room. A pop of texture, a friendly shade of white and the perfect mix of fun and function is pretty much all you need to transform a tired, neglected space into an airy, beachy nook.
Here’s how we took our mudroom from frumpy to fabulous……
ONE: WALL TO WALL
Nothing says coastal like the charm of shiplap, beadboard or paneling. So to create a textured, paneled look, we placed six inch vertical boards side by side, throughout the room. And what a difference it made! Now this space is bright and welcoming —with a casual, water-inspired aesthetic—and such a pleasure to view.
TWO: CHOOSE THE RIGHT WHITE
White is king when you’re creating a clean, fresh, beachy vibe. I used a tried and true favorite, Benjamin Moore’s Simply White, on all the wood surfaces. It’s the perfect way to accentuate the lines of the wood work and makes small spaces feel HUGE in just one swipe of the brush.
THREE: ACCENT WITH COASTAL ELEMENTS
A little goes a long way in a tight space such as a mudroom or hallway. So make it count. Add accents that bring a coastal flavor to your space, such as this over-sized brushed metal clock and this weathered straw sun hat. This sisal doormat, from a local garden center, offers a welcome hit of seaside texture and adds warmth and interest to our gray stone floor.
FOUR: JUST FOR FUN
I love infusing a fun, unexpected element into family spaces. Here a favorite framed poster, a gift from a friend and fellow dog lover, takes front and center for a bit of a giggle. With a long history of water loving labs as part of our home and family, this was the perfect spot to display this lab-inspired piece. Just the thing to top off our coastal-vibed decor!
FIVE: DONT’ FORGET A BIT OF COLOR
All it takes is one big pop of color to tie things together when you’re working with all white walls. And this flower-filled, indigo-patterned beach bag does the trick. It’s an easy way to draw the eye into the room and finishes the look, one and done!
Last but not least, think clean-lines when selecting the right lighting for a small space such as this. This simple but bright schoolhouse ceiling fixture (Restoration Hardware) complements the decor but doesn’t have too much to say. A perfect fit!
Hope these ideas inspire a light-filled, beachy mudroom in your future!
Photos: The Phase Three Home
Note: The Ikea Wall Clock and Serena & Lily beach bag are personal favorites, not currently available. But if you’re looking for a coastal-inspired metal wall clock that’s similar, you might like this alternative:
Crate & Barrel galvanized wall clock
