10 Hard Working Rooms That Make Life Easier

Must-Haves Open hooks for airing out damp outerwear Shelves with bins for corralling accessories A seat for pulling footwear on and off Resilient surfaces that dirt can’t hurt

Room 1: Floor-to-Ceiling Cubbies

This one-wall mudroom can handle a season’s worth of athletic gear and outerwear. Tip: Cheer up a utilitarian space with a colorful indoor-outdoor runner. To clean it, just shake it out or hose it down.

Open Storage

Ample 16-inch-deep cubbies mean each family member has places to stash footwear, sports equipment, toys, and more.

Neat Catchalls

Metal bins, fabric-lined baskets, and color-coded boxes organize small items and store off-season goods.

Easy-Care Surfaces

High-gloss paint resists scuffs, and stone-look porcelain floor tiles won’t show scratches. Both are a snap to clean.

Room 2: Locker-Lined Stair Wall

A furniture-grade storage unit mounted alongside stairs turns a front foyer into a mini mudroom.

Curvaceous Compartments

Open lockers with hooks have handsome curved frames that make the unit formal enough for a front entry. The oak, chosen to match the stairs, is finished with water-shedding polyurethane. Tip: Lockers should be at least 2 feet wide so that there’s space for each person’s bags and outerwear.

Closed Cabinets

Rarely used items, like binoculars, are tucked up top behind flip-up doors.

Stable Seating

The 10-foot bench projects nearly 2 feet from the wall to provide a safe toehold for reaching top cabinets. Arched supports echo the locker frames and divide the slate-tile floor into landing spots for shoes.

Room 3: Open-and-Shut Storage

Exposed hooks and discreet closets and drawers create a high-functioning, clutter-free drop zone.

Extra-Tall Closets

Eight-foot-high doors hide away baskets of balls and outerwear not worn every day.

Oversize Hooks

Jackets and bags practically hang themselves up on generous hooks above the bench.

Handy Pullouts

Small, clutter-creating items, such as dog leashes, gloves, and sunscreen, are concealed inside large drawers. Roomy cutouts offer a glimpse of what’s inside and a comfortable handhold.

Flip-Top Bench

Along with providing a spot for slipping shoes on and off, this perch’s lid opens up to stow baseball bats and lacrosse sticks. Tip: Make cleaning up after muddy feet (and paws) a cinch by sealing porous bricks with a clear coat for masonry.

Pantries

These kitchen offshoots keep supplies centralized and out of the cooking zone. Must-Haves Open shelves for quick access and slide-outs for heavy items Fuss-free surfaces in case of spills Good lighting for easy hunting

Room 4: U-Shaped Closet

Warm finishes keep the look as polished as the adjacent kitchen, inspiring a sense of order.

Adjustable Shelves

These shelves can be raised or lowered to accommodate everything from canned goods and recipe binders to candlesticks and centerpieces. Tip: To amp up lighting in a closed pantry—and add a style boost—hang a pair of pendants instead of just one.

Specialized Storage

Rods flanking the center unit allow table linens to hang wrinkle-free, while slim, felt-lined drawers keep silverware from tarnishing.

Spill-Proof Surface

The granite countertop looks luxe, complements the richly hued wood, and wipes down easily.

Room 5: Sunny Nook

Lots of light makes this pantry alcove a practical dishware-storage and food-prep station.

Deep Drawers

Full-extension hardware ensures access to every inch of these pullouts. Tip: Stash heavy and frequently used items at waist height.

Well-Placed Prep Space

A 25-inch-deep laminate countertop provides a convenient work surface.

Easy Access

Serving items sit at the ready on open shelves—and double as decor.

Closed Cabinets

Small appliances and bulk grains can be kept cool, dark, and dust-free behind closed doors.

Room 6: Shallow Space-Saver

A fully loaded grid of open shelves and cabinets can disappear behind a functional piece of salvage.

Strategic Sliding Door

The weathered bank-vault door, mounted on a heavy-duty track, adds character, hides clutter, and—unlike a swing-open door—won’t block traffic. Tip: Chalkboard paint can turn a wall or door into an erasable shopping list and message board.

Low-Profile Lighting

A small, nickel-finished ceiling fixture reinforces the kitchen’s vintage look while illuminating items at the back of shelves.

Backup Power

Outlets allow for stashing a wine cooler and other small appliances to clear space in the cooking area.

Potting Rooms

First-class finishes and a fun hit of color make for a pleasant gardening place. Must-Haves A deep sink with a raised faucet to fit pots and watering cans Tall shelves and roomy cabinets for tools and containers An easy-care work surface and floor

Room 7: Open to the Outdoors

A Dutch door blocks pets while inviting air and light into a workstation for potting plants and filling vases.

Rustic Sink and Counter

Soapstone has an earthy, traditional look, and chips and wear only add character.

Quick-Clean Vinyl Floor

Water and potting soil mop up fast when there’s no grout to catch them. Tip: Line a deep drawer with a heavy-duty plastic bag to serve as a soil bin.

Room 8: Plumbed Hutch

A furniture-like potting center combines glass-front and solid cabinet doors for display and storage.

Rugged Rimmed Sink

An extra-deep (nearly a foot) cast-iron basin with a raised lip helps contain splashes.

Waterproof Backsplash

Classic subway tile gives this cottage-inspired setup a pretty-yet-practical backdrop. Eye-Catching Shelf An open shelf mounted on corbels is a showcase for cloches, colorful containers, and potted plants.

Tough Work Surface

The nonporous Corian countertop mimics wood but stands up to assaults from liquid fertilizer, thorny rose branches, and heavy ceramic pots. Tip: Keep track of drawer contents with bin pulls that have apothecary-style label holders built right in.

Laundry Rooms

These well-organized, well-lit rooms help take the dread out of wash day. Must-Haves Countertop space for folding Cabinets for containing detergent and other supplies Sink for hand-washables Rods or racks for air-drying

Room 9: Bright and Spacious

The U shape offers space for sorting, washing, folding, and hanging.

Kitchen-Worthy Cabinetry

Custom cupboards painted a vintage green—complemented by a tall beadboard backsplash with a plate rail for displaying artwork—look inviting and accommodate every laundry necessity, as well as ironing and sewing supplies.

Ample Counter Space

A long run of solid surfacing holds stacks of folded clothes. Tip: Create an under-counter spot for a laundry basket so that it won’t be underfoot.

Air-Drying Stations

Charming hinged wood wall racks latch at the top when not in use. A shower-curtain rod in front of the window allows damp laundry to get a full dose of fresh air. A coated-metal mesh rack set into the countertop keeps knitwear flat for drying.