We’ve noticed a significant uptick in requests for “mud rooms.” A mud room is typically a small room or entryway where boots get wiped and coats get hung. Mud rooms originated in homes in the colder northern states where a receiving area for defrosting snowy boots and winter gear was essential. Over the past few decades, northern transplants have transported the mud room south. Homeowners in southern states are now finding mud rooms ideal for wiping shoes, storing school uniforms and sports equipment, and hanging dog leashes and car keys. Well-designed mud rooms have ample cubbies and racks for storage and numerous hooks for hanging damp and wet clothing. A mud room can double as a laundry room so wet clothing can immediately be deposited into a washer or dryer without being tracked through the rest of the house. Generally mud room floors are made from easily cleaned materials like concrete or linoleum. Every homeowner who’s enjoyed the utility of a mud room in past dwellings place it on their “non-negotiable” list when renovating or purchasing a new home. Here’s a mud room we recently completed in Oakhurst. True to form it’s equipped with hooks, cubbies, bench, and a nearby sink to wash away any unwanted outdoor elements.