Joanna Gaines’ latest project makes a case for moody mudrooms
Mudrooms have become a staple in American homes. A stopping place between the outdoors and a more cozy room, it’s the perfect place to kick off dirty shoes and soggy outerwear, whilst being warmly invited into the home.
Joanna Gaines has proven just how stylish mudroom ideas can be in the latest installment of her ‘Mini Reni’ series. Moody colors, classic patterns, and brass details have given this underused corner a new lease of life.
It’s convinced me that the mudroom is the perfect place to introduce bold design features – and I’ve found almost everything she used, so you can easily recreate the look.
I often gravitate towards decorating with neutrals in more functional spaces like utility rooms and mudrooms. They just instantly feel clean and spacious – something we all want from our functional zones.
However, Joanna Gaines’ latest project has convinced me it’s time to put down the white paint and embrace a bolder scheme. The mudroom transformation strongly supports decorating with a moody color palette to create the most striking design.
‘This room was basically a shell, and the client really wanted it to feel charming; she wanted it to feel moody and super functional. We added these cabinets just because it’s a mudroom, it needs lots of storage,’ Joanna explains in Magnolia’s Instagram video.
To nail the moody look her client desired, she went bold with a deep blue hue on the walls, woodwork, and paneling. Painted in Coffee Nook from Magnolia Home, described as ‘a dark smoky gray with blue undertones,’ it’s a moody hue that feels rich and warming, exactly what you want from the first room you step into from outside.
‘We added this arched cased opening here,’ she notes, referencing the opening between the mudroom and the adjoining art room that has been painted the same dark color. ‘She really liked this idea of charming anywhere we could apply an arch or a scalloped – it’s something we were really mindful of.’
There is a clear color story throughout the mudroom that blends moody hues with a timeless aesthetic. And the wallpaper, Floral Treasures Wallpaper in Beach Glass from Papier, a warm neutral covering with a traditional floral repeat, contrasts beautifully with the dark paint and really sets the palette for the scheme.
‘All of the colors we implemented in this space tie back to this cute little wallpaper we found. You’ve got the blush, and then you’ve got that hint of darker terracotta in the middle that you’ll see on these floors.’
A feature that really catches your eye is the mudroom tiles introduced throughout the space. Checkerboard floors are a classic design that’s becoming increasingly popular again, and they add so much interest to this mudroom. The two tile colors reference that statement wallpaper, creating a sense of cohesion.
‘And then to add a little more of that fabric softness, we have this classic stripe fabric for this bench moment,’ she adds, referencing the custom-made and upholstered seat cushion in Perennials Fabrics’ Ticking Stripe Fabric in Dove, which adds another layer of classic style to the design.
The adjoining art room has been color drenched in the same dark blue color, creating a bold and all-encompassing space. While the mudroom area feels more pared-back with lots of hidden storage and clean lines, the art area is all open shelving with supplies on full display.
‘This is the space where we were designing for her to create in. For artists, I know it’s nice to be able to see all of your materials and everything you want to work with on your shelves. But there’s also quite a lot you want to hide! It was key to make sure there was some order to creating, but also some inspiration right in front of her,’ Joanna explains.
The space is busy, but it’s also perfectly curated. With most of the owner’s art supplies displayed on the open shelving, on the opposite wall, the Quinn Wooden Dish Cabinet from Magnolia has been introduced in an unexpected way.
‘We had this piece designed for the store, originally inspired for a kitchen where you’d have your plates, any glassware, and spices, but knowing that we had this bigger wall here, I felt it would be great for her art, papers, and supplies. This is one of those products that you can use in different ways, and I just love the way that it looks on this wall.’
But what ties the whole space together are the decorative accents. Joanna has kept the decor simple to avoid filling the room with visual clutter. The pedestal table with a twisted leg detail adds a warmer, natural texture and gives the potted plant height and a sense of permanence.
On the wall, a round mirror bounces light around the room and is perfectly placed for a quick appearance check as the homeowner leaves and enters. And directly opposite, perched on the ledge of the wall paneling, are two gold vases filled with blooms and a large, simplistic art print.
While the decor has been scaled back, they offer a taste of the busier displays in the adjoining art room and give a subtle hint at the style and personality of the rest of the home. Even the lighting, two Art Deco-inspired ceiling lights, and a more vintage feel that elevates the space.
And for me, it’s a lesson in getting a mudroom design right. It’s equal parts moody and charming, and it remains bold and stylish without compromising on function. It’s a space I want to recreate in my own home, ASAP!
Brass Scalloped Framed Mirror
This brass scallop edge mirror is an elegant feature in the mudroom, bouncing light around the room and tying into the hardware and lighting seamlessly. It also adds a more playful element to a space with lots of straight lines.
Storage is key in a mudroom, especially if you want it to look as organized as this design. Joanna added these woven storage boxes below the bench seat for shoes – perfect for hiding mess in a more stylish way.
This mudroom proves that every room in your home deserves the same love and attention. In many ways, these smaller, more functional rooms serve as the perfect opportunity to create a bold statement, no matter your interior design style.
Approach designing a mudroom in the same way you would a cloakroom – and don’t be afraid to draw on mudroom trends to inspire your decor. And, as Joanna says, ‘There’s nothing more satisfying than taking a small space and maximizing it with cuteness.’
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