7 Storage Ideas for Mudroom Benches That Save Time Every Day

You’re trying to get out the door on a weekday morning. Shoes are missing, someone’s jacket has vanished into thin air, the dog is chasing a rogue mitten, and you swear you just put the keys “right there” thirty seconds ago.

Scene feels a little too familiar?

Mudrooms should make mornings smoother. Not feel like the prelude to a sitcom chaos montage.

And here’s the good news: with thoughtful mudroom bench storage, your entryway can go from stressful to streamlined. Not Pinterest-perfect (unless you’re into that), but actually functional for the real-life humans living in your home.

So let’s talk smart, hardworking mudroom storage—Catalina Closets style.

Clean lines. Modern design. A place for everything. Zero clutter guilt.

Below, you’ll find 7 mudroom bench storage ideas we use in homes across Dane County, Madison, and the Wisconsin Dells to help families save time every single day.

1. Built-In Drawers for the “Everything Has a Place” Lifestyle

Think of drawers as the secret weapon of mudroom bench organization. Hide the visual noise while keeping daily essentials within easy reach.

Deep drawers under a bench work beautifully for:

• Kids’ shoes (sorted by child for fewer morning arguments)

• Dog leashes, waste bags, and grooming supplies

• Hats, gloves, scarves — your entire winter survival kit

• Sports gear you’d like to stop tripping over

And because Catalina Closets uses frameless, European-style construction, your drawers glide smoothly, offer more usable interior space, and give your mudroom a crisp, modern look. Minimalism without the cold vibe. Functional, warm, and refreshingly neat.

2. Open Cubbies and Shoe Racks That Make Mornings Faster

Like everything visible and accessible? Open cubbies might just be your new favorite thing!

Also perfect for families who want kids to be able to put things away without being instructed seventeen times.

Some of the shoe rack styles we design include:

• Angled open shelves — easy to grab, easy to clean

• Flat shelves with dividers — keeps pairs together

• Pull-out trays — ideal for mud, rain, and Wisconsin snow days

• High-capacity cubbies — for the “we have a lot of shoes, don’t judge us” family

Cubbies make the entire entry area feel lighter and more intentional.

And because everything has a designated home? You avoid that messy pile of footwear that somehow grows legs when you’re not looking.

3. Storage Baskets and Soft Bins (AKA The Chaos-Disguisers)

You might not think soft bins deserve a moment in the spotlight, but hear us out: they’re the perfect bridge between open storage and hidden storage.

Especially for busy families.

Especially for small items.

Especially for things that multiply on their own—looking at you, gloves.

We often recommend:

• Felt bins for cozy texture

• Woven baskets for warmth

• Label-friendly fabric bins for kid-friendly organization

• Easy-clean plastic bins for muddy seasons

And because bins slide neatly into open cubbies, they also keep your modern mudroom bench design looking clean while still offering a little flexibility for the “just toss it in” moments we all have.

4. Seasonal Swap Zones: One Bench, Four Seasons of Storage

Mudroom feels cluttered? There’s a good chance it’s trying to store all seasons at once.

A smart seasonal organization strategy can transform your mudroom instantly. Here’s how we set it up for many of our Wisconsin families:

Winter Zone (Nov–March)

• Boot trays

• Heated glove inserts

• Knit hats

• Salt-friendly mats

Spring Zone (April–May)

• Umbrellas

• Light rain boots

• Dog towels

Summer Zone (June–Aug)

• Flip-flops

• Pool gear

• Sunscreen baskets

Fall Zone (Sept–Oct)

• Light jackets

• Sports gear

• School essentials

Now, with the right mudroom bench storage layout, swapping seasons becomes ridiculously easy. Deep drawers hold out-of-season items. Open cubbies keep active items handy. And the whole space feels calmer.

Because your mudroom isn’t carrying the weight of all 12 months at once.

5. Customizable Solutions for Small Mudrooms (Yes, They Can Still Do a Lot!)

Let’s talk small spaces. Because not everyone has a full mudroom—sometimes you’re working with a narrow hallway, a compact entry nook, or a one-wall catch-all spot by the garage.

Good news: small mudrooms can be absolute powerhouses of organization.

Here are compact solutions we create all the time:

• Slim benches with shallow drawers

• Vertical cubbies that take advantage of wall height

• Hidden shoe trays under the bench

• Hooks integrated above the bench for grab-and-go items

• Tall cabinets next to the bench for jackets and backpacks

When everything is custom-designed, every inch counts. And every inch works harder.

And when your mudroom is custom-built in the Catalina Closets style, you’re getting that modern cabinetry with clean lines and a seamless appearance, not bulky face-frame cabinets that eat up precious inches.

6. Smart Add-Ons for Families, Pets, and Real-Life Living

Your mudroom should reflect your lifestyle. Not some one-size-fits-all Pinterest layout. This is where customization truly shines.

For busy families

• Divided drawers labeled by child

• Backpack alcoves

• A “charging drawer” for tablets and headphones

• Cubbies sized for lunch boxes or sports bags

For pet families

• Pull-out dog bowl drawers

• Storage for treats and grooming tools

• Leash hooks within kid-level reach

• A built-in towel cubby for muddy paws

For outdoor enthusiasts

• Ventilated cubbies for hiking boots

• Tall shelving for fishing gear or ski equipment

• Stain-resistant bench seating

• Quick-access hooks for helmets or backpacks

And when the design reflects how your household actually moves? Messes decrease, routines improve, and your mudroom becomes more than a walkway—it becomes part of your rhythm.

7. Durable, Beautiful Materials That Stand Up to Real Life

Mudrooms sure have a tough job.

They deal with Wisconsin weather, wet paws, muddy boots, heavy backpacks, and whatever else gets tossed their way.

And that’s why material choices matter!

Here at Catalina Closets, we use materials that look modern and clean but also hold up to daily wear, including:

• High-quality melamine: moisture-resistant and easy to wipe down

• Thermofoil: durable, seamless, modern finishes

• Textured finishes: hides scuffs, adds warmth

• Metal accents: long-lasting hooks, rails, and hardware

• Scratch-resistant surfaces: ideal for seating and heavy use

Then, combine those with our frameless, European-style construction, and you get mudroom bench storage that stays beautiful, functional, and rock-solid for years. All without swelling, warping, or showing every single muddy footprint.

Design Tips to Make Your Mudroom Bench Storage Work Harder (and Look Better)

A few subtle choices can dramatically change how efficiently your mudroom functions.

→ Blend your bench with your cabinetry

Choose finishes that complement—not compete with—your mudroom cabinets or wall storage. Think soft matte whites, warm wood-grain tones, or modern neutrals.

→ Use lighting intentionally

LED strips under a floating bench? Gorgeous and practical!

→Keep traffic flow in mind

Avoid oversized benches in small rooms. Every inch needs a purpose.

→Add hooks, but don’t overdo it

Too many hooks = visual clutter. Strategic hooks = effortless organization!

→Let the walls work, too

A bench is just the start. Open shelves, lockers, or cubbies above can multiply your storage.

A Mudroom Built to Save Time, Not Make More Work

If your current mudroom feels like a catch-all for everything you don’t know where to put, you’re not alone. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.

A well-designed mudroom bench can turn stressful mornings into calm ones, muddy days into organized ones, and your entryway into a space you're actually proud to walk into.

It’s not just about storage. It’s about ease. Flow. Breathing room.

And that’s what we love helping families create!

Design a Mudroom That Actually Works for Your Life

Get a FREE consultation. Let’s start planning your mudroom together.