With two young children and a busy schedule, Red Deer, Alta., photographer Leigha Graf needed a mud room that would suit all of her family’s needs without sacrificing style in the process. The solution? Built-in schoolhouse- style cubbies with drawers and cabinets to store the backpacks and coats that are forever tossed around, as well as durable flooring to stand up to the many pairs of dirty shoes that come its way. And to add some personality to the small space? The door was painted a striking shade of fire engine red. Now this room is at the top of its class!



Get the look with these six mud room accessories.

1 Bold paint
Make a bold statement to the entry of the mud room by painting the door with a bright red hue.

(1) Ruby Red 2001-10, benjaminmoore.ca.
(2) Red Gumball 233-7, ppgpittsburghpaints.com.
(3) Schoomze P5082-85, para.com.

2 Coat hook
Keep coats and backpacks off the ground with this large double coat hook. Put name tags above each hook for easy organizing. rejuvenation.com, $14 US.

 

4 Decorative knobs
Using decorative knobs in fun patterns adds subtle details to white drawers. anthropologie.com, $8.

 
4 Backpacks
Have a large backpack for the kids to easily hang up in the mud room and to hold their belongings. potterybarnkids.com, $50.
5 Rain boots
Have a pair of kids' rain boots in the mud room for those rainy days. hatleystore.com, $38.
6 Flooring
Having stone flooring in the mud room is both durable and stylish. lowes.ca, $31 per box of 10.