October 30, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 21 Mini-mudrooms keep weather messes at bay Those who live in multi-season climates know how invaluable a mudroom can be. When mud and summer sand get lodged in footwear and gear, a mudroom is the perfect place to keep it from spreading throughout the rest of the house. Unfortunately, not every homeowner or renter has the space available for an entire room devoted to sloppy, wet clothes. However, a mini-mud- room can be created even in a small alcove. Thinking creatively can help turn an entryway -- or even a closet -- into a small mudroom. Equipped with just the essentials, this space will not lack form or func- tion. To get started, think about what is housed within a mudroom. Key elements include a bench for putting on and taking off shoes, hooks for outerwear, trays for wet footwear, baskets for miscellaneous gear, a basket for pet leashes or keys, a rack for wet umbrellas, and shelves to store dry towels for pets and people. Next, assess how much space you have to devote to a mudroom. Keep in mind that you may be able to find an antique piece of furniture that combines the bench with hooks and even a mirror at an antique store. Otherwise, such a piece can be fashioned with just a few materials. For those who have adequate space in the entryway, a two-seater bench is a must. To add decorative flair, cover a cushion sized to the bench with a water-resis- tant fabric designed to be used outdoors. This way, chil- dren or adults with damp coats or pants will not ruin the cushions when they sit down. If space is limited, a simple stool tucked into a corner provides a place to sit. Stow a few wicker storage bins under the bench. These can be assigned to each member of the family and be used to hold backpacks, gloves, hats, and sports gear. If there is not much room beneath the bench, pur- chase inexpensive boot trays that can keep wet shoes from leaving puddles right on the floor. Well-placed wall hooks can tidy up a mudroom or foyer quite easily by creating a place for just about everything. These hooks can be used to keep coats until they are dry enough to hang in the closet. Hooks can hold hats and tote bags. To make the space look more like a home and less like a locker room, think about adding a few hooks that simply hold artwork to break up the utility of the space. A table or shelf right inside the door can be a place to store mail and keys. It may also be a place to serve as a transfer station for important paperwork that should be brought to school or work. Some people do not have any usable space to create a mudroom. In these instances, try turning a coat closet into a mini-mudroom. Take off the closet door so the space becomes an alcove. Frame it with decorative molding and paint the interior walls a complementary color or use beadboard or wallpaper for texture. Slip in a free-standing bench that fits the width of the closet, or create a bench that attaches directly to the interior wall. Add a coat rack and a basket to store shoes. While mudroom items are primarily meant to be functional, they can still be stylish. Coordinate fabric patterns or wood colors with the décor in the rest of the house. If you cannot find pieces that fit the dimensions of the space you have, think outside the box and build them yourself.