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If your mudroom is looking a little out of sorts, it’s time to hit reset. This space sees all the action—shoes kicked off, bags dropped, jackets piled up—and without a plan, it can quickly turn into a clutter catch-all.
Below, I’m walking you through the exact steps I use to organize a mudroom, plus sharing my favorite resources for each step so you can create a space that’s functional, clutter-free, and easy to maintain.
Step 1: Empty Everything Out
This is always the first (and yes, scariest) step. Pull everything off the hooks, shelves, cubbies, and out of bins. Take out the shoes, bags, jackets—everything.
As you unload, make quick piles so you’re not creating total chaos: shoes in one pile, jackets in another, hats and accessories together, etc.
Step 2: Sort Like With Like
Once everything is out, group items into clear categories:
- Shoes – How To Declutter All Your Shoes
- Jackets & Coats – How to Organize Your Family’s Jackets
- Bags & Accessories – Organize Bags and Accessories
- Seasonal gear (winter hats/gloves, swim gear, sports gear)
- Small items (sunglasses, keys, mail)
For each category, ask:
- Does it belong in the mudroom?
- Is there a better home for it elsewhere?
- Should it be donated or tossed?
Step 3: Assign Sections for Each Person or Item Type
If possible, give each family member their own hook, bin, or cubby. This makes it easy for everyone to find their things—and put them back.
Labels are your best friend here, whether it’s basket labels with wooden tags or adhesive bin labels.
How To Make Labels For Organizing
How To Make Labels Work For You
Step 4: Put Everything Back (Strategically)
Once you know what’s staying in the mudroom, return it to its assigned spot. This is the time to identify what extra storage might help—don’t buy organizers before this step.
For example, if sunscreen and bug spray keep getting lost, store them together in a labeled bin on a shelf.
- The Complete Guide To Organizing A Mudroom
- Messy Mudroom? Here’s How To Fix It
- Why You Need To Add Hooks In Your Mudroom To Keep It Organized
Step 5: Create “Holding Spots” for Odds and Ends
A mudroom can double as a temporary holding zone for:
- Returns – Keep a tote or bin for items that need to go back to a store.
- Borrowed items – Designate a basket for things that belong to friends or family.
- Kids’ school items – Especially during back-to-school season, this prevents things from migrating all over the house.
- How to Organize a Mudroom for Back to School
Before you leave the house, check these spots to see what you can take with you.
Step 6: Leave Some Space Empty
Empty shelves or cubbies aren’t wasted—they’re breathing room for the future. As your family’s needs change, you’ll naturally fill them, but until then, enjoy the space.
Keeping a mudroom organized isn’t a one-and-done task. I recommend doing this full reset a couple of times a year—before school starts, after winter, and any time you feel the clutter creeping back in.
