Start by identifying how the space actually gets used day to day. For families with young kids, that usually means a drop zone near the garage entry, bench seating with shoe storage underneath, and closed cabinetry for cleaning supplies and laundry essentials. Getting that layout right before you pick a single door style makes everything easier.
A family recently came into our showroom with exactly this challenge. They had just finished new floors in a generous 12-by-15 mudroom and laundry room combo and were ready to outfit the space with cabinetry. Three kids, a second fridge, a sink, a washer and dryer, and a wall connected to the garage. Sound familiar? A lot of homes in and around Horsham, PA have spaces like this that are just waiting to be made functional.
Here is what we walked through with them, and what you should think about before you start picking finishes.
Where Should You Start When Planning the Layout?
Start with the wall that gets the most daily traffic, usually the one nearest the garage entry, and work outward from there. In a mudroom and laundry combo, that entry wall is doing the heaviest lifting. It needs to handle coats, shoes, backpacks, and the chaos of kids coming in from outside.
A few things to map out before anything else:
- Where are your mechanical obstacles? AC vents on the floor or wall, existing plumbing, and appliances all affect where cabinetry can start and stop.
- How much ceiling height do you have? Taller cabinets running to the ceiling maximize storage, but you need accurate measurements to plan them correctly.
- What goes on each wall? Not every wall needs cabinetry. Prioritizing one wall at a time keeps the project manageable.
Our cabinetry design process is built around figuring out these priorities before anything gets ordered or rendered.
Should You Do Locker-Style Cubbies or an Open Bench for Kids?
Both work, but locker-style setups give each child a defined space, which can help with organization, while an open bench with a wide shelf above is simpler and often less expensive. The honest answer is that neither guarantees a tidy space when you have young kids. What matters more is how durable and easy to clean the finish is.
A few things worth considering:
- Darker painted finishes show scuffs and scratches more than lighter or natural wood tones.
- A bench top in a durable material like a countertop surface or butcher block holds up better than a painted wood panel that gets sat on daily.
- Hooks and simple open cubbies at a kid’s height are more likely to actually get used than elaborate systems with too many parts.
We have done it both ways and have photos of real installs that can help you visualize what fits your space. Our team brings years of hands-on experience with exactly these kinds of family-focused projects.
What Cabinet Line Makes Sense for a Mudroom?
For most mudroom and laundry room projects, a mid-range semi-custom line gives you the best balance of flexibility and value. Stock cabinets are fast and affordable but limited in sizing and configuration. Full custom is best reserved for unusual spaces or specific design requirements like inset doors or rare wood species.
A mid-range line lets you choose door styles, colors, and configurations like tall pantry cabinets with rollout trays, bench bases, and full-height storage units, without the lead time or cost of going fully custom. For a space that needs to work hard every day, that flexibility matters.
Classic shaker doors are also worth a mention here. They are easy to wipe down, widely available across cabinet lines, and hold up well in high-traffic spaces. Simple and practical goes a long way in a room like this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer installation, or just the cabinets?
We supply the cabinetry components directly. We work closely with a network of trusted builders and contractors, so if you need help finding an installer, we can point you in the right direction. Many of our customers already have someone they work with.
How do we get started if we are not sure about the final layout yet?
That is completely normal. We start with rough measurements and a general idea of what you want to accomplish. From there, one of our designers puts together a 3D rendering so you can see it before anything is ordered. You give feedback, we adjust, and then we move into selections. There is no pressure to have everything figured out on day one.
Can we phase the project and do one wall first?
Absolutely. Starting with the primary wall, usually the one by the garage entry, is a smart approach. It lets you get the most-used part of the space functioning well, and you can always add to the adjacent walls later. Visit Simply Cabinetry to see examples and get a feel for what is possible before you commit to anything.
Ready to Plan Your Mudroom?
If you have a mudroom, laundry room, or combo space in Horsham, PA that needs to work harder for your family, we would love to help you think it through. Bring your measurements, a photo of the space if you have one, and any inspiration images you have saved. We will take it from there.
Contact us to get started and we will connect you with one of our designers to put together a plan that fits your space and your family.
