Three young children sitting on a white built-in mudroom storage bench with cubbies and woven baskets, featuring a board and batten wall with decorative hooks and overhead shelves with rope baskets.

How to Build a Mudroom Storage Bench in One Weekend

All Rooms, DIY

Are you tired of the mountain of jackets and shoes piling up by the front door? Searching for affordable mudroom storage solutions that are both stylish and practical? Look no further! In just one weekend, I transformed our messy entryway into a functional mudroom storage bench with a shelf and coat rack.

Stylish and functional mudroom storage setup with a white built-in bench, four cubbies with woven baskets, a board and batten wall with wooden hooks, and a floating shelf holding neutral fabric baskets.

Table of Contents

What I Used

Tools

Materials

Why You Need a Mudroom Storage Solution

A cluttered entryway can make your whole home feel disorganized. By creating a dedicated space for shoes, coats, and bags, a mudroom storage bench helps keep everything in its place. This DIY project offers an affordable way to add entryway storage that’s both stylish and functional.

Mudroom Storage Makeover: The Before

Before starting this project, we had a blank slate—a decent amount of space by the front door that was begging for a makeover. A mudroom storage bench was the perfect way to add organization, giving my kids’ belongings a designated landing spot while elevating the look of our entryway.

Empty space with a white door, beige carpet, and unfinished flooring, ready for a DIY makeover.

Step 1: Replacing Flooring for Durability

We ripped up the old carpet and replaced it with durable laminate flooring. Since I used the same laminate in the adjoining kitchen, the space looks cohesive and handles high foot traffic better. The new flooring also provides a solid foundation for the mudroom storage bench.

A couple working together to remove old carpet near a doorway, preparing the floor for a new wood-look flooring installation. Tools, planks, and a vacuum are scattered around, showing an active DIY home renovation project.
A woman installing wood-look flooring over a newly prepared surface near a white door. The room is filled with natural light, and various tools like a hammer, scraper, and measuring tape are visible on the carpeted area.

Step 2: Building the DIY Mudroom Storage Bench

Here’s how I built our mudroom storage bench:

  1. Cutting Materials: I used a table saw and miter saw to cut plywood to size. (Tip: Many hardware stores will cut boards for you if you don’t have tools at home.)
  2. Assembly: I used wood glue and a brad nailer to assemble the bench, which features four cubbies for baskets.
    • Pro Tip: Buy your baskets before building the bench. It’s much easier to size the bench around the baskets than to find baskets that fit later.
  3. Reinforcing the Bench: I added back bracing pieces for stability and to provide a way to attach the mudroom storage bench to wall studs.
A woman assembling a bench on a newly installed wood-look floor. She is applying wood glue to the joints before securing them with a nail gun, working in a bright living space with a fireplace in the background.
A woman using a nail gun to secure wooden panels while building a storage bench on a freshly installed wood-look floor. The space has a modern, cozy feel with a fireplace and dining area visible in the background.
A woman assembling a built-in wooden bench against a white wall, using a nail gun to secure dividers. Sunlight streams into the space, highlighting the warm wood flooring and the in-progress DIY storage bench project.

Step 3: Adding Trim for a Finished Look

To give the mudroom storage bench a more polished appearance, I used 1×2 boards as trim. First, I attached a front trim piece, ensuring it was flush with the top. Then, I added vertical trim along the front of the cubbies, making the bench look chunkier and more substantial while adding extra support.

A woman kneeling on the floor, using a nail gun to secure the final pieces of a built-in mudroom storage bench with storage cubbies. Sunlight streams in, illuminating the DIY home project, with warm wood flooring and a soft carpet in the foreground.
A woman kneeling on the floor, putting the finishing touches on a built-in mudroom storage bench with storage cubbies. The structure is nearly complete, positioned neatly against a white wall in a well-lit space with modern wood flooring.

Step 4: Creating a DIY Board and Batten Wall

For a stylish backdrop, I added a board and batten wall behind the bench.

First, I attached a 1×2 trim board along the top of the bench. Then, I evenly spaced vertical battens using a level.

A woman installing vertical wooden slats on a wall above a built-in storage bench, using a level to ensure precision. The DIY project is coming together with clean lines, adding a custom, modern touch to the space.

Since I couldn’t find hooks that I loved, I opted for gold cabinet knobs instead—bonus: they match the kitchen hardware!

Instead of hooks, I used gold cabinet knobs for a modern look that matched my kitchen hardware. Because they attach from the back, I installed them before securing the top board to the wall, which I did using caulk as an adhesive and brad nailing it into the studs.

A woman installing a wooden board with pre-filled holes onto a built-in storage bench wall. Various tools, including a nail gun and measuring tape, are scattered on the bench as she continues the DIY home improvement project.
A woman securing a long wooden board to the wall above a built-in bench, using a nail gun. The space features a white paneled wall, wooden flooring, and a large bucket of construction adhesive nearby.

Step 5: Installing a Mudroom Storage Shelf

I added a mudroom storage shelf to maximize vertical space and used decorative corbels for support. I measured and marked for even spacing, added two screws for each corbel, then slid them right on. Easy peasy!

A woman drilling into a wooden support board as she adds a shelf and corbels to a DIY entryway storage unit. Sunlight highlights the project’s progress, with tools and construction materials laid out on the built-in bench.
A woman installing decorative support brackets beneath a wooden shelf above a built-in bench. The project is coming together with a combination of storage cubbies, board and batten wall design, and sturdy wooden construction.

To make the shelf look thicker and sturdier, I doubled up on 1/2-inch plywood and secured it with my brad nailer. I finished the edges with iron-on edge banding for a clean, professional look.

A nearly finished built-in entryway bench and shelf with board and batten detailing. The wooden storage unit is installed against a white wall, with tools and a bucket of construction adhesive still present as the final touches are completed.

Step 6: Painting for a Perfect Finish

To prep for paint, I caulked all edges and seams, then applied primer and paint for a durable finish. If you’re curious about my full painting process, check out my tutorial here!

The Final Reveal of My Mudroom Storage Solution

And just like that—TA-DA! This mudroom storage bench wall is everything I hoped for! The bench is perfect for sitting while putting on shoes, the knobs hold coats beautifully, and the baskets keep clutter hidden. It’s a stylish and functional addition to our entryway that makes daily life so much easier.

Whether you’re looking for mudroom storage bench ideas or a practical DIY project, this solution is proof you can transform any entryway in a weekend!

A smiling woman and three young children sitting and playing on a completed built-in entryway bench with storage cubbies and a white board and batten wall. The finished DIY project features woven baskets, decorative hooks, and a top shelf with neutral fabric bins, creating a stylish and functional mudroom space.
Stylish and functional mudroom storage setup with a white built-in bench, four cubbies with woven baskets, a board and batten wall with wooden hooks, and a floating shelf holding neutral fabric baskets.

If you have a smaller entryway and can’t fit a full bench, check out the wall coat rack I built for our current home—it’s another great mudroom storage solution that keeps coats organized and off the floor!

A cozy entryway featuring a white wall coat rack with a beige coat hanging from a peg, complemented by a festive green wreath with a red velvet ribbon, and a plaid rug on the wooden floor.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to tackle your own DIY mudroom storage project?

Do I need a dedicated mudroom for mudroom storage?

No! You can create a functional mudroom storage area in any entryway, hallway, or even inside a closet. A small mudroom storage bench, wall hooks, and a shelf can transform a corner into an organized drop zone.

What are the best materials for a DIY mudroom storage bench?

The best materials for a durable mudroom storage bench include plywood for the bench structure, 1×2 boards for trim to give it a finished look, and wood glue with a brad nailer for assembly. Choosing durable materials ensures that your mudroom storage can withstand daily use and high foot traffic.

What’s the best way to store shoes in a mudroom?

To maximize shoe storage, use a bench with cubbies, a shoe rack, or individual bins for each family member’s shoes. You can also install a vertical shoe cabinet or use wall-mounted shelves for shoes. Placing a boot tray or rubber mat underneath helps contain dirt and moisture.

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