Is your mudroom ready for back-to-school season? Here are all the upgrades you need to get this hardworking space prepped, according to designers

The summer is nearing its end, and back-to-school season is rapidly approaching. Your kids have finished their summer homework, and their school supplies are ready for the first day of class. But there's one spot in your home that you might have overlooked during all of that back-to-school prep. That is, the mudroom.

Of course, the mudroom is subject to lots of traffic during the summertime, but nothing compares to the chaos of back-to-school season. From scrambling to grab backpacks and coats in the morning to kicking off shoes and tossing those same backpacks in the afternoon, the mudroom can feel like a zoo on school days.

That said, the right back-to-school mudroom upgrades can streamline your daily routine and alleviate any stress caused by clutter. 'A well-designed mudroom acts like the house’s backstage,' interior designer Caron Woolsey says. 'Everything needed for a graceful exit or reentry lives here. Labeled hooks, hidden drawers, and a proper bench keep backpacks from migrating to the breakfast table and shoes from scattering like confetti.'

But what can you do to get your mudroom ready for the upcoming season? How can you ensure your mudroom stays tidy, and works hard in this busy time? I asked designers to share the best back-to-school mudroom upgrades that can help organize the space and make your life just a little bit easier, while looking chic, too, of course.

1. Take advantage of the walls

Mudrooms, although typically small in size, serve a big purpose. They're the place to store all sorts of clothes, shoes, and bags, and during back-to-school season, they can end up looking overwhelmingly cluttered. Because of this, it's important to make every inch of the space useful – including the walls.

Rather than cramming the floor space with more benches, baskets, or containers that can make a mudroom feel even smaller, look up. The walls of a mudroom serve as a prime location for mudroom storage, hanging shelving units for cubbies or mounting hooks for coats.

It can also help to assign spots of the mudroom to family members. 'Designating a cubby or hook for each family member streamlines mornings by making it easy to grab coats, backpacks, or shoes,' interior designer Liz Williams tells me. By giving everyone a place to keep their things on the wall, the mudroom can stay organized, and the schooltime rush can feel slightly less chaotic.

2. Use a storage bench

If there is one thing that every mudroom needs, it has to be a bench. A bench with storage – that is. 'A bench with storage underneath is also a game-changer for putting on shoes quickly or stashing away less-used items,' Liz tells me. These types of benches are ideal for busy mornings, preparing for school.

Although I'm a firm believer that every mudroom should have a bench, not all benches are made for mudrooms. 'If you are planning to incorporate a bench, I would recommend avoiding a painted finish and instead opting for either a stained hardwood bench top that can be sanded and re-stained easily over the years, or a solid surface or stone top that will be able to withstand the usage,' interior designer Katherine Pierce of Copper Sky Design and Remodel advises. 'In cases where a painted bench top is necessary for the aesthetic, consider adding a cushion in a stain-resistant fabric on top for both practicality and aesthetic purposes.'

Whether built-in or freestanding, storage benches are an easy upgrade for your mudroom that'll drastically help you during back-to-school season, and they can also keep your mudroom clutter free all year long.

3. Incorporate a water bottle filling station

While not a necessity for the mudroom, a water bottle filling station can make back-to-school mornings significantly easier and help your kids remember to stay hydrated throughout the day.

'I love incorporating a water bottle filling station into a mudroom when space allows,' Katherine tells me. 'By including an ice maker, a small sink with filtered water or a wall-mounted water bottle filler, and a place to store water bottles within easy reach of children, you can easily create a space that both promotes autonomy and takes one more thing off your plate in the morning.'

By positioning the water station in the mudroom and next to the primary entryway, it's easily accessible for anyone entering and exiting the house, any time of day.

4. Try a hall tree or tall cabinet

While mudrooms are primarily used to store shoes, coats, and other out-the-door necessities, they end up becoming filled with all sorts of miscellaneous objects. Mudroom storage should reflect that. One solution to help get a mudroom ready for back-to-school season is to incorporate a hall tree or tall cabinet into its design – either built-in or freestanding.

'Think about all the things you are constantly running back through the house to retrieve before you head out the door, and then give them a home in your mudroom,' Katherine recommends. 'Shoe storage and hooks for coats and backpacks are a given, but what about socks, backup sports uniforms, and water bottles, or tablet and computer storage? If you have the space, a tall cabinet with outlets inside can go a long way in a mudroom.'

Just as assigned coat hooks are helpful, it's also helpful to designate a spot in that hall tree or tall cabinet for each person in the family. 'One wall with vertical storage per family member works wonders [in the mudroom],' Caron tells me. 'Closed storage above and drawers below keep clutter at bay.' When looking for hall trees or cabinets, consider how much storage they have and the ways in which they can streamline your back-to-school mornings.

5. Keep it closed

Sometimes, the best way to keep a mudroom clean is to choose furnishings that close. 'Closed storage is key,' Liz says. 'Lockers or tall cabinets keep the chaos contained and prevent visual clutter.' And above all else, closed storage simply looks good. It creates a sense of cohesion in a space that often looks and feels chaotic.

'Consider the unsightly but functional items stored in your mudroom and use this as an opportunity to incorporate those items into your design,' Katherine recommends. 'With just a few simple cabinetry modifications, you can create a built-in pet crate that blends seamlessly into your cabinetry, making your space functional without sacrificing aesthetics.'

If you have the ability to design the mudroom with built-in, closed storage solutions, consider doing so. This will greatly improve the look of your space, especially once school starts up again.

6. Don't forget about color

As you think about the practical and functional upgrades for your mudroom this back-to-school season, it's also important to consider the overall look of the space, and in particular, its color. According to Caron, a mudroom's goal is utilitarian, but that doesn't mean it has to be painted in sterile shades. 'A classic paint color hides scuffs but still looks refined,' she tells me.

'I love using painted cabinetry in a rich tone, like a navy blue or a rich green, to bring in personality,' Liz recommends for the mudroom. 'Incorporating natural wood elements on benches or doors can add some warmth, while a durable rug or striped runner softens the space. Keeping the color palette cohesive and the surfaces clean allows the room to feel less chaotic, even when it can be a heavily used space.'

'A mudroom may not be the showpiece, but when it’s thoughtfully designed, it quietly makes the whole house run better,' Caron says.

With these mudroom upgrades, you can ensure a smooth transition back-to-school this fall. But before the back-to-school rush really begins, consider cleaning the mudroom completely before incorporating these designer-recommended upgrades. This way, you can start the year on a clean slate with furnishings to help you get through each busy day.