In Oregon, where rain is often in the forecast, you will want to design an area in your custom-built home to protect those brand-new floors. Our suggestion is to create a mudroom, which is a transitional space between the outdoors and the indoors, tailored to handle the damp remnants of Oregon’s weather.
Here are just a few ideas on how you can create the ideal mudroom in your new home:
Durable Flooring
When selecting flooring, durability and ease of cleaning should be at the top of your checklist. Consider materials like slate, ceramic tile, and luxury vinyl for this area. These surfaces can withstand the wear and tear of wet shoes and can be easily mopped to prevent slips.
Effective Drainage
Especially during Oregon’s rainier months, water accumulation can be an issue. Incorporating a floor drain or a slight slope to the mudroom’s floor toward an exit to help avoid pooling water.
Built-in Storage
Wall-mounted cubbies, lockers, and benches with storage underneath provide ample space for raincoats, umbrellas, and shoes. You may even want to assign everyone a personal space to organize the area better.
Boot Trays & Drip Stands
Put these items at the entrance to the room to catch water dripping off umbrellas and wet footwear. Opt for rubber or metal trays with raised edges to keep water contained as well as make it much easier to clean up.
Ventilation
Excess moisture, mold, mildew, and a musty smell are clearly a concern, which you can address by installing the proper ventilation. Consider installing a vent or a ceiling fan. On dry days, a window can provide fresh air and help remove lingering dampness.
Plenty of Hooks
Wall-mounted hooks are indispensable for hanging wet jackets, bags, and hats. Be sure to put them at different heights so everyone in the family has access. They should also be well-spaced to ensure all the items can properly dry after they are hung.
Weatherproof Mats
Put mats outside the entrance for one last opportunity to rid those shoes of excess mud and debris before they come. We use rubber mats with outdoor carpeting on ours, making them super easy to shake off and vacuum.
Maintenance Tools
You will want to keep a few cleanup tools in the area to help when things start to get messy. Some cloths, cleaning liquid, a mop, bucket, and the most important item… a wet-dry vac to clean up the really bad messes. I would also consider keeping a laundry bag in the area to carry any dirty clothes to the laundry room that need to be cleaned.