Choosing the right cabinets for a mudroom or laundry room can significantly improve how functional, organized, and efficient these utility spaces are. While these rooms often serve as drop zones or workhorse areas of the home, they don’t have to be cluttered or uninspired. The right custom cabinet layout can help reduce stress, eliminate piles of clutter, and bring a sense of order to your everyday routine. Whether you’re designing a new space or upgrading your current setup, here’s how to choose the best cabinets for your mudroom or laundry room.
Before selecting cabinets, it’s essential to clarify what role your mudroom or laundry room plays in your household. Mudrooms often serve as the first point of entry from the garage and act as a transition space for bags, shoes, jackets, and pet gear. Laundry rooms may be standalone areas or part of a combined mudroom, and they require space for cleaning supplies, hampers, linens, and sometimes even utility sinks.
The key is to choose storage that matches your daily needs. Cabinets should accommodate your family’s habits – whether that means ample shelving for folded towels, closed storage to conceal cleaning products, or cubbies for each child’s backpack and shoes. Custom-built cabinetry allows you to design around your household’s exact routines, ensuring the space stays tidy and usable long-term.
When designing your cabinet layout, function should be the priority. Think about how your space is currently being used and where it tends to fall short.
Do you often have laundry items piling up on counters? Are jackets and shoes scattered across the floor? Custom cabinets can solve those problems by providing intentional storage zones that prevent clutter from accumulating. Tall cabinets can store brooms and vacuum cleaners, while base cabinets can hold hampers or drawers for daily-use items.
Features like adjustable shelves, integrated baskets, and built-in hooks can be customized to match your habits. Planning for specific storage zones ahead of time helps prevent chaos and keeps every item in its place.
Mudrooms and laundry rooms are high-moisture, high-traffic environments. As such, durability should be a top priority when choosing cabinet materials. Off-the-shelf cabinets are often made with low-quality materials that can warp or deteriorate over time, especially in rooms exposed to humidity and fluctuating temperatures.
Custom cabinetry allows you to choose finishes and materials that hold up to everyday wear. Consider:
Thermofoil or laminate doors that resist moisture and are easy to wipe clean
High-quality plywood or MDF with water-resistant coatings
Soft-close hardware to reduce wear and tear from slamming
Durable melamine interiors that don’t absorb spills or stains
These materials not only extend the life of your cabinets but also help maintain a clean, polished look, even in the busiest parts of your home.
A functional layout is just as important as material choice. Every household is different, so having a cabinet design tailored to your home’s unique footprint ensures no space is wasted. With custom cabinets, you’re not limited to standard box sizes. You can fit storage solutions around appliances, doors, windows, and corners to make the most of your space.
Storage needs should also guide your decision. If your mudroom doubles as an entryway, you might need tall cabinets or lockers to store coats and footwear neatly. Upper cabinets are ideal for smaller items like detergent and fabric softener in laundry rooms, while lower cabinets can hold bulkier supplies. Customizable options, such as pull-out shelves or adjustable trays, enhance usability further.
Popular configurations include:
Wall-to-wall upper and lower cabinets above the washer and dryer
Full-height cabinets for coats, brooms, and vacuum storage
Bench seating with cabinets or drawers underneath in mudrooms
Pull-out hampers, hidden ironing boards, or tilt-out drying racks
Floating shelves above countertop folding stations
With the help of a design expert, such as Closet Designs & More, you can map out your needs and create a configuration that brings form and function together seamlessly.
If your mudroom or laundry area is short on square footage, custom cabinetry is the best way to make every inch count. Small rooms demand smart vertical storage and compact solutions that don’t sacrifice functionality.
Some ways to optimize smaller spaces include:
Tall, narrow cabinets that provide maximum vertical storage
Built-in shelving between wall studs
Slim drawers for lint rollers, tools, and laundry pods
Stackable bins tucked inside lower cabinets
Wall hooks and floating shelves for grab-and-go access
Rather than squeezing pre-fab cabinets into a cramped room, a custom system can be designed to enhance the space you do have, making it feel bigger, brighter, and more efficient.
If your mudroom or laundry area feels cluttered, inefficient, or outdated, custom cabinets are a game-changer. They’re designed around your daily habits, made from high-quality materials, and configured to fit your exact space. Whether you’re wrangling muddy shoes and backpacks or trying to make laundry day more manageable, the right storage system can completely transform your experience.
Our team specializes in designing and installing custom cabinets that maximize functionality and elevate the look of your home. Let’s talk about how we can turn your mudroom or laundry room into a space that works for your lifestyle. Contact us to get started today!