After years of squeezing into a cramped mudroom closet and tripping over shoes, I knew it was time for a change. Our small mudroom was overflowing with coats, shoes, and all the random things a busy family needs to store, but the closet just wasn’t cutting it.
I dreamed of a space that was both beautiful and functional—a place where everything had a home and getting out the door in the morning didn’t feel like a battle. With a clear vision in mind, I set out to transform our mudroom with a custom built-in armoire, plenty of drawers and cubbies, and a dramatic navy blue finish.
The result?
A mudroom that finally works for our family and looks amazing, too.
Why We Needed a Mudroom Upgrade
Our mudroom may be small, but it’s one of the hardest-working spaces in our home. The original setup—a cramped closet—was a constant source of frustration. Trying to open the closet door to grab a coat while someone else was putting on shoes was nearly impossible, and the space quickly became a catch-all for clutter. There was so much wasted space, and it never felt organized or functional for our busy family.
I wanted a mudroom that made life easier, not harder. We needed a place for coats, shoes, socks, gloves, winter gear, and all the random things that seem to multiply with kids. The goal was to create a space where everything had a home, mornings were less chaotic, and the room actually felt bigger and more welcoming—even if we didn’t gain any square footage.
The Vision & Planning Process
From the start, I knew exactly what I wanted for our mudroom upgrade. I envisioned a dramatic navy blue built-in that would make a statement and bring order to the chaos.
I wanted a big armoire for coats, drawers for socks, shoes, and winter gear, upper cabinets for things we don’t use often, and cubbies and baskets for all the random school stuff the kids bring home. A light bench top would make it easy to sit and put on shoes, and new tile flooring would replace the old wood for a fresh, durable finish.
The Build: Demo to Done
The first step was demo day—ripping out the old closet and walls to open up the space and get rid of all that wasted, cramped storage. I decided to hire out the drywall repair (because let’s be honest, drywall is not my favorite!), which made a huge difference in getting a smooth, clean slate to work with.
Once the walls were ready, I started building the frames for the armoire and drawers, making sure every piece was custom-fit to our small mudroom.
Next, I assembled and sanded the benchtop, giving it a smooth, light finish that would brighten up the space and provide a comfortable spot for putting on shoes. I sealed it with some polyurethane and attached it to the bench.
After that, I built the side cubbies, which are perfect for baskets, school gear, and all the random things that need a home.
With the lower section in place—including the armoire, drawers, benchtop, and side cubbies—I moved on to constructing the upper cabinets. These would hold all the things we don’t use every day but still need to store.
After assembling and installing everything, I framed out the built-ins with pine for a polished, finished look.
With the structure in place, it was time for priming and painting. I chose Sherwin Williams Naval for a bold, dramatic finish.
The final steps were building and installing all the doors, drawers, and drawer fronts, then adding hardware and a bunch of staggered hooks for maximum hanging space.
After the built-ins were complete, we finalized the mudroom by adding a light herringbone tile to the floor. The new tile not only brightens up the space and gives it beautiful contrast, but also adds a durable, easy-to-clean finish that truly completes the room.
The whole project took about four weeks from start to finish, and while it wasn’t always easy (measuring everything to fit snug was a challenge!), seeing it all come together was so worth it.
Finishing Touches & Organization
With the built-ins complete and painted in that gorgeous navy blue, it was time to focus on the details that make the mudroom truly functional for our family. I installed a mix of staggered hooks inside the armoire and along the built-in for coats, backpacks, and bags—making it easy for everyone to grab what they need or hang things up as soon as they walk in.
Drawers became the perfect solution for storing shoes, socks, gloves, and all the little things that used to get lost or clutter up the floor. Upper cabinets and baskets now hold winter gear and those miscellaneous items we don’t use every day, but still need close at hand. Cubbies and baskets are dedicated to school papers, lunchboxes, and all the random things the kids bring home.
The light bench top is not only a practical spot for putting on shoes, but it also brightens up the space and adds a nice contrast to the deep blue cabinetry. Every item finally has a home, and the mudroom feels organized, welcoming, and ready for busy family life.
What We Love Most
The best part about our new mudroom is how much more functional it is for our family. Even though we didn’t actually gain any square footage, the space feels bigger, brighter, and so much more organized. Every coat, shoe, and random item finally has a designated spot, which makes getting out the door in the morning so much easier (and less stressful!).
I love the dramatic navy blue built-ins—they make a statement and give the room a custom, high-end feel. The light bench top is both practical and pretty, and the mix of drawers, hooks, and cubbies means there’s a place for everything. It’s amazing how a thoughtful design and a few custom touches can completely transform a small, cluttered space into one that works beautifully for our family’s everyday life.
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