Having a dedicated space to store boots, rainwear, dog leads and all the other bits and bobs you need for venturing into the great outdoors is ideal in a country home.
Built-in cabinetry for storage, a bench for pulling off gum boots and hooks for coats are prerequisites. If space and plumbing allows, install a sink for easy clean-ups, dog washing, flower prep and cleaning the mud from homegrown veggies.
Practical flooring such as stone or tile will mean dirt can be swept and mopped away – add a washable rug for a touch of softness.
It's the details that will take your mud room from a space you want to keep hidden, to one that's a fully integrated – and stylish – part of your home. Country decorating ideas can include woven baskets for your kit and clobber, a fabric blind for a touch of colour and pattern, plus pictures and plants for personality.
When you don't have the space for a standalone mud room, integrate its essential elements into a hallway. Here, hooks, seating, boot storage and practical flooring all feature, without cluttering the narrow space.