When Dana and her husband Steve sent photos of their recently transformed mudroom, we were excited to share the striking before-and-after. This small transition space between the garage and kitchen has been converted into a highly functional and stylish mudroom—affectionately dubbed the “MODroom”—and it proves that thoughtful planning and a modest budget can deliver big results.
First of all, I love YHL. I’m very inspired by your hard work, DIY spirit, financial responsibility and overall aesthetic. My husband and I, along with our two young boys, recently moved into our ‘forever’ home. We inherited an under-utilized short hallway between the garage and kitchen that was crowded with three doors (garage, bathroom and closet). Our solution was to remove the closet door, widen the closet opening and turn that space into a compact, efficient mudroom we now call the MODroom.
Like many families, we were working within a tight budget. The shoe bench and rosette pillows were repurposed from other rooms where they weren’t being used. I painted the bench white—previously black—then recovered the cushion with simple linen fabric. Widening the doorway required patching a square of vinyl floor; a quick online search helped us repair it properly. My husband shortened an old wire shelf with a bolt cutter and reinstalled it front-to-back in the closet corner to hang everyday jackets more accessibly. He also added two recessed ceiling lights for better task lighting. Now the small room serves our family well: it’s where we take off and put on shoes, unload backpacks and lunchboxes, and use the bench as a staging area for items to bring along when we leave the house. It’s functional, tidy and tailored to our daily routines.
We’re frugal, and that’s part of the fun. Below is a clear rundown of what we spent so others can see how affordable a practical mudroom can be.
The Budget:
Shoebench – FREE (repurposed from the front entry where it wasn’t being used)
Pillows – $8 (white rosette pillow bought on clearance; other pillows were already on hand)
Artwork – FREE (a handmade gift from my sister-in-law that spells our last name in photos)
Hooks – $25
Shoebench fabric – $13
Baskets – $20 (on sale at a local retailer)
Vinyl floor tile repair – $16
Electrical supplies – $30
Paint supplies – $40 (we used an affordable neutral paint that brightened the space and ties into our home’s palette)
TOTAL: $152
What makes this makeover especially appealing is how it balances form and function. The space is compact but intentionally organized: hooks and a corner shelf handle everyday outerwear, baskets contain shoes and accessories, and the bench provides a comfortable seat for getting ready. Fresh paint, a recovered cushion and thoughtful lighting elevate the look so the space feels cohesive with the rest of the home, not like a leftover hallway.
Small details—like repurposing items you already own, choosing a neutral paint color that complements other rooms, and prioritizing task lighting—can transform an overlooked passageway into a purposeful, stylish entry point. This project shows how small, smart investments and a few DIY fixes can deliver a dramatic, family-friendly result without a major remodel or high cost.
We’re grateful Dana and Steve shared their photos and breakdown. Their MODroom is proof that creativity, careful planning and resourcefulness make a functional, attractive mudroom achievable for most households. Congratulations to them for creating a space that simplifies daily routines and looks great doing it.
Update: Dana has started a blog where she shares more details about the mudroom project and other updates from her home. It’s a great place to find ideas and follow her ongoing improvements.