WE’VE MADE IT. The May end-of-school sprint is OVER and I’m still alive to tell about it! Between teacher gifts, class parties, graduation parties, school ceremonies, etc., it’s a miracle I even drank a cup of water the whole month of May! Now that I’m done packing lunches and backpacks for a few months, I’m switching up my mudroom space! I no longer need backpacks and piles of “don’t forget this” in each place — phew!

If you’re looking to utilize your space during the off-season, I’ve got you, friend! After all, your home is meant to be functional year-round. Below, I’ve explained my normal mudroom plans and my updated-for-summer specials that are just for this season!

School Year Mudroom Must-haves

1. Multiple hooks for each child (we have 3 each)

Hooks help to maintain a polished look; you can hang a backpack, a coat, or even a water bottle to declutter the area.

2. A bench to sit on while they tie their shoes

3. Closed storage above

This is great for out-of-season items (like ski pants!) and utilizing storage that is accessible yet concealed.

4. Buckets below the bench for shoe storage

Some people have drawers or baskets below for aesthetics, but I don’t want to be responsible for vacuuming a drawer or basket out—I want a plastic tub I can rinse with the hose! Keep it easy where you can!

In 5 years, my mudroom may require charging drawers (maybe below the bench) for each kid’s tablet and technology, but we’re not quite there yet! My kids’ areas are also color-coded, which makes it easy for me/them to know which bucket to use.

Summer Storage Optimization

For summer, I pack away the backpacks and lunchboxes and move them up to closed storage after a good wipe-clean and wash! It always shocks me what they’ve been hoarding away in those backpack pockets! Now, each child gets a tub full of goggles, sunscreen, lotion (because that chlorine dries us OUT), and bug spray. This is hopefully planting the self-care seed as they head out the door to summer camps and exploring!

Organization for Summer Break

I also add a communal tub of general outside play FUN things! Each of my kids got a new pair of Crocs, and you should have heard the squealing! One also got flippers because they were on sale and there was lots of bargaining to be done on her shopping list!

Finally, I keep our pool towels in a laundry basket so everyone can grab-and-go—to help the aesthetics of the towel bin, I branded my pool like a country club and bought everyone club-striped towels. It makes me smile and helps everyone know the difference between a house towel, a pool towel, and a cleaning rag.

Although school is out, learning is still in! Converting your mudroom can be a great opportunity for your kiddos to learn some organization skills! We’ve all gotta learn somehow, and what better place than your own home!

Don’t have a mudroom? No worries, we can help with that. Request a consultation today!!