If you're lucky enough to have a home with a mudroom, you have to take advantage of the convenience this space offers. Not only do you have to worry about piling belongings in the front entryway, but you also have another space to personalize and decorate. Because the mudroom is the best place to keep all of the shoes, jackets and other accessories, it's important to keep an organization system in place to ensure it remains presentable to guests and keeps you from going insane.

If your mudroom is looking disheveled lately, here are a few tips for getting organized:

Build a custom shelving system
Whether you have a large family or welcome guests that visit on a regular basis, you need a space that keeps everyone's belongings in order and doesn't create an eyesore the second you walk into the mudroom. A custom, closed off shelving system can keep the space organized and provide a home for all of your belongings. You can even customize the unit so it caters to your storage needs.

Create a family memo station
If the mudroom is the space the family passes through every time they leave, set up a station for messages and other important memos. You can arrange a corkboard, calendar and hanging basket for the mail and other notes on the wall so you don't have to worry about taking up space with a desk or table.

Provide a seating area
As a homeowner, there's nothing more annoying than finding a trail of dirt from the mudroom to the kitchen because there's not a place for guests to sit and take off their shoes. Don't let the whole point of the mudroom vanish because there's nowhere for people to take a seat. Choose a seating arrangement that flows with the design and decor of the space. Also, make a selection that works with the square footage and allows for optimal traffic flow – perhaps a bench makes sense, or two small chairs would work better in your mudroom. A personal decorator can help you make the decision.

Take advantage of the wall space
If storage is at a premium, utilize  the walls as much as you can. Whether that means placing coat hangers near the door or arranging hanging baskets on another wall for trinkets, taking advantage of the vertical real estate will keep you from cluttering up the room with extra tables and other unnecessary furniture. 

Make a commitment to tidy up once a week
Committing to organizing the room is only half the battle. Even after making these design moves, your space isn't going to stay in good shape unless you put in the effort to make sure it does. Make it a point to clean the mudroom at least once a week so you can save yourself the time and effort needed to reorganize it annually when things get out of control.

If organization has always been an obstacle for you, it's time to consider recruiting a professional for help. A personal decorator at Decorating Den Interiors can come to your home for a free consultation to evaluate the space and make the right decisions based on your personal style, organizational goals and other needs. From there, he or she will pass along some other tips to keep the place in great shape throughout the year so you can always feel satisfied with the space.

Get your mudroom in gear just in time for the new season! Call a design consultant from Decorating Den Interiors today.