The Difference Between Boot Rooms and Mudrooms (And my Boot Room Plans)

 

 

I hope I don’t completely burst every American reader’s bubble here, but frankly, after *diligent* research, the biggest difference I can tell between a “Boot Room” and a “Mudroom” is …

 

 

 

THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.

 

Yes, I believe this is another one of those “bathroom vs. loo,” “pants vs. trousers,” “sneakers vs. “trainers” kinda thing.  

 

When it comes down to it, I think the difference between a British boot room and an American mudroom is simply style. Same function, different name.

Both are places to dump your muddy, wet stuff and boast durable floors, finishes, and millwork. But whereas the Brits tend toward lived-in, slightly shabby, devil-may-care collectedness with unfitted benches, hooks with coats, & muddy colors (and the occasional hunting equipment, in true manor houses), Americans seem to love extensive built-ins and organization galore.

 

 

I wouldn’t be surprised if Europeans blamed our obsession with compartmentalized organization on our consumer culture and general infinitudes of space in which to store our vast accumulation of material goods.

 

In my Remuddle Remodel, the “historically-inspired” update of the kitchen, laundry/pantry, and mudroom of our 1790 New Hampshire farmhouse, we don’t have infinitudes of space. But we do have tons of icy, wet, and muddy weather. Furthermore, with having to take off half the roof and build a new exterior wall, we are totally out of budget.

 

Therefore, our “boot room” will be taking much of its inspiration from British counterparts with their lack of built-ins and some vintage make-dos … even if the colors reek of American optimism.

 

First, a little inspiration!

 

The British “Boot Room”

 

Remember: devil-may-care collectedness with unfitted benches, hooks with coats, & muddy colors.

(Of course, I’m oversimplifying, and there are plenty of modern British boot rooms with built-ins aplenty, but I’m trying to get at the essence here!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The American “Mudroom”

 

Built-ins and optimism. Of course not all American mudrooms are this way, but for sake of contrast, this is what I’m showing you. 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My American Boot Room: Unfitted Optimism

 

Our old mudroom was just off the side porch. It had a bit of a funky ceiling, and people often accidentally dropped off the little step that made up for the change in floor level.

 

Here’s the before pic.

 

 

I want to create an unfitted boot room space with lots of pegs and collected vintage pieces, but mixed with happy & charming colors and patterns.

 

 

Here’s where we are now.

 

 

 

We made a cased opening to create a separation of functional spaces. You can also see a little peak of the happy pup wallpaper in the Butler’s Pantry/Laundry.

 

What do you think?

 

A pin to remember me by!

I’m afraid that we’ve had some setbacks and delays with the project overall. Being a decorator, I’m very used to backorders, delays, missed shipments, etc. But one still always hopes they won’t happen with sufficient planning. Oh well. 12 weeks done and counting. You can be assured that I can commiserate with anyone — client or reader — living through the daily stresses, mess, and discomfort of a major renovation!

 

The Fall 2019 One Room Challenge is in the final stretch! Next week are the reveals. I’ll be checking it out and reporting on my favs. See you next Saturday!

-Amy