DIY Mudroom Closet Makeover in a Small Entryway

This post is all about our mudroom closet makeover!

I’m a big fan of DIY projects that make a small space more functional. So, I recently created a mudroom space in the little room between our garage entryway and laundry room.

Now my kids can reach their own coat hooks and book bags, and we can all find what we need to get out the door on time. Well, sometimes 😉

Keep reading for mini mudroom ideas for extra storage and organization. This would also be a great solution for a small coat closet near a front door.

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How to Turn a Small Coat Closet Into a Mini Mudroom

This section has step-by-step instructions for a DIY mudroom closet makeover. As always, please leave me a comment at the bottom of the post if you have questions!

1. Remove the Entryway Closet Door

The first thing to do when creating a mudroom closet is to remove the existing closet doors.

Our entryway closet had two doors that opened out into our tiny garage door entryway, and they were always causing traffic issues. I was so happy to remove them!

The easiest way to remove an interior hanging door is to simply unscrew the hinges from the door frame. It is best to ask for help with this step, since the doors can be heavy and awkward to carry.

On the other hand, you may have a bi-fold door which is prone to sticking and causing pinched fingers. I recommend watching a YouTube video for a step-by-step guide to removing bifold doors. (Basically, once you get the doors out, you will need to unscrew the top track and bottom supports.)

2. Remove the Coat Closet Wire Shelves

Secondly, it’s time to remove the current closet shelving. This is an easy home project for beginners!

I have covered how to remove wire shelves in a few different posts that you can reference for more details. Check out my post Replace Wire Pantry Shelves on a Budget for a walk through!

Related: I also removed the wire shelving in my Walk In Closet Home Office.

3. Patch Holes in Walls and Door Frame

Thirdly, I used spackling, a putty knife, and a sanding block to repair the holes in the closet wall. Allow the spackle to dry before sanding, and apply a second coat if needed.

As for the holes in the wooden door frame and the cutouts from the hinges, the best thing to use would be wood filler. However, I ended up using the spackling that I had on hand, and it is holding up well so far.

4. New Coat of Paint for Closet and Door Frame

Now that the prep work is finished, it is time to begin the fun part of this DIY mudroom closet makeover! 

The first thing to do is to choose a paint color. While I’m a big fan of white paint, I decided to use leftover paint that I already had to avoid an extra cost.

I chose the color Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore in satin finish, as I already had plenty on hand from painting my interior doors. I actually had the color matched at Home Depot in Behr Marquee, my favorite type of paint.

Pro tip: For the best results, I always use this shed-resistant roller with this roller frame, and a quality paintbrush. In addition to painting the interior of the closet, I also painted the door frame trim piece to match our other interior doors.

A new coat of paint made the entire space feel so much nicer! In addition, I am confident that the satin finish on the closet walls will hold up a lot better than the flat, builder grade paint. (After a few more closets and our two story entryway, I will be finished repainting this entire house–yay!)

5. Optional: Add a Curtain Rod and Curtains

This step is not necessary, but I decided to install curtains on the inside of the closet so that we can hide our mini mudroom from view. I used inexpensive plaid curtains, brackets, finials, and this curtain rod from IKEA.

You could also install curtains on the outside of the entryway closet, if you have enough space. Personally, I prefer the look of the curtains on the inside, and it also works better for our small space!

Here are some more cute curtains that you could use to camouflage a mudroom closet.

6. Install a Mudroom Closet System for Plenty of Storage

After painting the closet walls and door frame, it’s time to install a new and improved closet system. The builder grade wire shelves in our entryway closet always drove me crazy and I couldn’t wait to get rid of them!

For our DIY mudroom closet, I chose the IKEA BOAXEL system. It looks very similar to the popular (and pricey) Elfa customizable storage system from The Container Store.

While I hear great things about the Elfa system, it was not in my budget for our entryway closet. The IKEA BOAXEL system offers a lot of the same customization options, at a fraction of the price.

IKEA BOAXEL System for a DIY Mudroom Closet

I plan to write a full review of the IKEA BOAXEL system, but here is a quick overview!

First, you can choose a pre-designed BOAXEL storage combination, or design your own layout using the BOAXEL planner online. Be sure to double check your closet measurements!

Like the Elfa system, the BOAXEL system is constructed with vertical supports (called “uprights”) and modular components that hook on. Where I couldn’t hit a stud, I used these strong 1/8″ x 2″ toggle bolts to give the uprights extra support.

For the center of the closet, I chose mesh basket drawers for winter gear, summer essentials, and our daily items. For the right side of the closet, I chose metal shelves for shoe storage.

Finally, the upper shelves are the perfect place for larger items and off-season gear.

Related: I recently used the IKEA PAX system in our bedroom and we are so happy with it! The PAX system would be perfect for a freestanding mudroom closet, if you aren’t working with an actual closet space.

7. Add Coat Hooks for Jackets and Book Bags

Finally, I finished up our DIY mudroom closet with coat hooks for our jackets and backpacks. The open space on the left side of the closet was just large enough for two of these hook rails from Target.

I installed the hook rails on the back wall of the closet using the included drywall anchors and screws, and so far they are holding up well! If they do become loose, I plan to reinstall them with toggle bolts.

Here are some more coat hooks for a mudroom closet:

Can you believe what a huge difference the new closet system made? Our entryway closet now feels like a mini mudroom where we can store all of our essentials and get out the door easily. It sounds silly, but this home project has been life changing for our family!

More DIY Mudroom Closet Makeover Ideas

This section covers additional ideas for a DIY mudroom closet makeover. I wasn’t able to include these in our space, but would love to see how you use them!

1. Mudroom Closet Bench Seat

If you have enough space, one of the most popular elements to include in a mini mudroom is a bench seat. Consider using a storage bench with baskets, or a built-in bench with coat hooks or cubbies up above! Even a small closet can accommodate a round ottoman or stool.

I originally planned to include a mudroom bench in our space, but the space on the left side of the closet was just a little too small. So, I placed a small bench in our nearby laundry room in case someone would like to sit down to put their shoes on.

(This is the inexpensive wooden stool that I purchased from IKEA. The middle of the bench has a cut out handle so that it can be easily carried and moved.)

Here are some more mudroom closet bench and stool options:

If you are handy and want to construct your own built-in bench, a typical bench height is about 18 inches. You could even include a cushion on the bench top for a cozy look.

2. Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Secondly, a mudroom closet is the perfect space to use a peel and stick wallpaper! I love using wallpaper to add character to a small room, or to create an accent wall.

In our case, the wallpaper wouldn’t be very noticeable behind the closet system that I chose. But if you are using shelves or cubbies, wallpaper is a great idea.

Here are some beautiful peel and stick wallpapers:

Related: Check out the wallpaper I used for this Entryway Accent Wall and Cozy Girls Bedroom.

3. Board and Batten Look

Finally, you can use pine boards or wide mdf strip to create a board and batten look in your mini mudroom!

This is a more advanced home project that requires a saw and a brad nailer. But if you are up to it, wall molding is a great way to add character to any small space.

​Related: See my Easy DIY Picture Frame Molding (Box Trim) and Board and Batten Accent Wall.

More Easy DIY Projects

If you are looking for more easy DIY home projects to update your space, check these out!

In conclusion, I hope you found this mudroom makeover inspiring. If you tackle this home project, or if you have any questions, please leave me a comment below!