Embracing contemporary classic design your next bathroom remodel. If your bathroom hasn’t been updated since the last century, chances are it includes an outdated trend or two. While it’s always fun to be bold and experiment with the latest and greatest styles in home remodeling, sometimes the choices we make might not stand the test of time. If you need a fresh bathroom makeover and want the most timeless design possible, check out the curated Contemporary Classic style from the bathroom designers at The Cleary Company in Columbus, Ohio!
Tried and True
Do you dream of a renewed bath with a more streamlined, understated design? Sometimes the wow factor comes in the form of simple and abiding beauty. With classic lines, hues and textures, a Contemporary Classic design brings a new level of sophistication to your bathroom that will never go out of style.
Enjoy a tranquil, refined space with subtly veined, deep toned quartz counters by Cambria and cappuccino finished cabinets in a time-honored Shaker style. Large format, porcelain tile offers the realistic look of marble without the maintenance or worry of staining or scratching. The refined tile and traditional beadboard provide a touch of elegance and welcoming vibe in any bath. Brushed nickel plumbing and lighting finishes by Kohler, with a touch of frosted glass, round out this reassuring modern design template. You simply can’t go wrong integrating this lasting Contemporary Classic bathroom look!
Cultivated Simplicity
Our designers have taken great care to curate bathroom styles that serve the dual purpose of functionality and personality. Although uncomplicated, there is nothing “Plain Jane” about this Contemporary Classic design! Even the fixture and hardware options are made to last with durable, high-performing and corrosion-resistant, premium metal construction. Faucets, lighting and drawer pulls can be personalized through multiple color and finish options to make your bathroom, truly yours!
Personalized Design and Construction
We have no doubt each client who designs a new bathroom using this Contemporary Classic design style will create a look to last beyond the latest trends. When you work alongside the Team at The Cleary Company in Columbus, Ohio, we guarantee a gorgeous bathroom personalized for you and installed in the highest-quality, most streamlined fashion by the best professionals in the industry.
Ready to get started? Call the office today, at 614-459-4000, or schedule a phone call with our Client Relations Coordinator!
While we want to get out and resume our lives as we knew them, most of us are still playing it safe and staying home as much as possible here in Central Ohio. As spring arrives and with it the promise of summer and fall, we’re looking to our backyards for entertaining and relaxing. But is it the oasis you’ve always wanted?
On trend for 2021 is the need to make our backyards better. We crave areas to dine outdoors, spend time with the family, create a staycation feel and have a private outdoor escape. It’s become an extension of our indoor living. A reimagining of the space that we have available. It’s a shift to making it functional for a place to escape from the house. Did you know it can also boost the overall value of your home? For the latest local data on ROI for home remodeling projects check out Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs Value report.
If you are searching for a backyard that makes you want to spend more time outdoors then read on for inspiration and ideas from our Design-Build Team at The Cleary Company in Columbus OH.
What can you do to your backyard to create the outdoor living oasis of your dreams?
1 – Outdoor living – After spending so much time at home, we really see the value in being outdoors as much as possible. When creating an outdoor living space, we suggest considering these items:
Large tables for socially distanced gatherings or neighborhood get-togethers!
Comfortable weatherproof furniture placed in designated groupings for conversation or cozy alone time.
Water features for background noise.
Lighting- string lights, torches, and solar fixtures. Consider safety as well as atmosphere – lighted pathways and placing ambient lighting over seating areas.
2 – Outdoor kitchens – Maybe you’re ready for more than just a grill on the patio. The outdoor kitchen continues its popularity with homeowners. We love implementing these features in our designs:
Built-in grill
Beverage refrigerator
Kegerator
Countertop for food prep and entertaining
Prep and/or cleanup sink
Pizza oven – portable or built-in
3 – Pools – The addition of a pool continues to be on the rise. It was very hard to find above-ground pools last year, and no one (that didn’t already have one planned) was able to have an inground pool built. They don’t have to be big; just a way to relax, cool off and float around. When is the best time to call a pool contractor? At least a year before you want to be using it.
4 – Decks and patios – For most of us, a deck or patio is what summer means. Hanging out with the family, watching the kids play, having neighbors over for a cookout – it all happens on a deck or patio.
Create regions on your patio or deck – for the grill or outdoor kitchen, seating areas, and a table. A multi-level deck is a great option.
Choose materials that will weather well.
Take advantage of a walk-out basement by adding a patio and sliding doors.
5 – 3 season rooms and sunrooms – Large picture windows, sliding doors, retractable screens and heat allow these rooms to be used for most, if not all, of the year. They serve as an extension of the interior living space, anchor the backyard space and increase the overall function and enjoyment of your home. Our Design Team can create several options to fit your needs.
Build additional square feet onto your home’s existing footprint.
Enclose an existing patio with either a pergola, roof and/or walls.
Replace screens on an existing porch with new insulated windows.
Remodel existing rooms to open up the views of your yard.
Other things to consider when planning your backyard living space.
Shade – Unless you are blessed with many trees, you will want some shade for hot summer days. Many options are available to create shade. These features also serve to anchor a space, add character and create welcoming spaces.
Retractable shades and motorized screens
Umbrellas or shade sails
Pergola or covered porch
Gazebo
Gardens – Gardens are having a moment for more people and creating a sustainable garden is one of the most searched items on Google. Why not try a raised garden bed, install a drip irrigation system, or just design some container plantings? Native plants are on the rise to help bring back bees and other pollinators, so talk with a garden nursery for advice on the best plants to use in your yard.
Technology – We love being connected, even if we’re outside. A Saturday football game setup, a spot to connect and work from home, or just some fun perks all add comfort and fun to the backyard design.
Electricity for outlets, heaters, lighting, and media
WIFI
USB ports
Bluetooth speakers
Among the many things the last year has shown us is what we love about our homes and what we need to change. On the plus side, any upgrades you do in your yard also adds value to your home. If you’re ready to create your outdoor oasis or remodel to include a new sunroom, 3 season porch, patio or deck, we’d love to talk with you. Our Remodel – Design – Build Team will collaborate and create what you’re missing in your outdoor living spaces.
Many of us, having lived the last year mainly at home, are realizing things about our homes we don’t love. Likely, the kitchen is at the top of the list. At The Cleary Company, we’ve been fielding many calls about kitchen renovations and updates. The number one question we are asked? Should I remodel my kitchen completely, or just upgrade it?
Whatever you choose to do, you will get a positive return on your investment. According to the National Association of Realtors®, the two most important interior projects you can do in your home are a complete kitchen renovation and a kitchen upgrade.
At The Cleary Company Remodel – Design – Build, we know kitchen remodels boost the value of homes here in the Columbus, Ohio area! Remodeling magazine regularly publishes a Cost vs Value report which analyzes data and lists the average cost of popular remodeling projects. This report validates what we’ve found to be true in Central Ohio, you can recoup between 58 to 80% of your kitchen remodeling costs when you sell your home.
What is the difference between a full kitchen remodel and a kitchen update?
A kitchen update or refresh can involve a multitude of projects in the space or just a few minor revisions. Think of it as a facelift to update all the “pretty stuff” in your kitchen that you notice immediately.
As you seriously inspect your kitchen, think about what doesn’t work for you. What are some easier, not as costly fixes that would make the biggest difference in the space? Fixing just one or two of these items by replacing, updating or refinishing can give your kitchen a pleasing face-lift, quickly and for a fraction of the cost of a full remodel.
Cabinetry
Fixtures
Countertops
Flooring
Plumbing
Electrical
Backsplash
Lighting
Wall color, shelving and decor
BEFOREAFTER – Kitchen refresh – Dublin OH Learn more about this project click here!
For updating any of these specific areas, check out Home Services by The Cleary Company. Completing a small project in the kitchen might be all that’s needed to complete your vision. Our Home Services Team is able to work on small kitchen updates serving many clients’ needs.
A complete kitchen remodel is just that— a full demo of the entire space that can also include a rework of the entire floorplan. Clients seek this solution when they find their kitchen no longer works for their lifestyle. It might be too small, doesn’t function the way you need it to or is very outdated and in need of a brand-new look. Tearing out everything down to the studs allows for reconfiguring the space for functionality and better flow. You might choose to add more space through an addition. And, typically, any outdated electrical and plumbing is replaced increasing safety as well as meeting all local building codes.
What to consider?
You need to think about many things when trying to decide what to do in your kitchen. What are your short and long-term goals? How will all the factors below play into your decisions?
Cost
Functionality
Enjoyment
Needs and Wants
Livability
Selling soon or staying for a long time
BEFOREAFTER – Kitchen remodel – Powell OH See more kitchen photos by clicking here!
As you read the lists above and objectively evaluate your answers, you may realize everything in your kitchen needs to be “updated.” Maybe a wall needs to come down to create a bigger room or you want to relocate the kitchen in the home altogether. At The Cleary Company, this is what we do. Our Design Build Team works with you to create and execute your vision. We help you determine your needs as we work through all the factors to consider and your ultimate goals for your kitchen.
Whether you decide on several cosmetic updates or go all in with a completely new kitchen remodel, you will increase the ROI of your home.
Contact us today to discuss your kitchen remodeling project! Call 614-459-4000 or visit our website.
The windows in your home – are they creating the look and feel you want? When planning your next home remodel, one of the last details to consider is selecting the right covering for your windows. What type of window coverings are going to be installed in each room can feel like an overwhelming decision however our Team recommends the window covering experts at Home Source Custom Draperies and Blinds. Their newly renovated showroom is stocked with examples for you to select custom blinds, shades, shutters, and draperies.
But how does Home Source Custom Draperies and Blinds help all clients find the right shades?
Window coverings to help your home be more stress free.
We all search for ways to simplify our hectic lives. Imagine finding a time and energy saving solution that simultaneously adds style, sophistication and beauty to your home. Powerview Automated Shades from Hunter Douglas bring all of these elements to light.
Whether controlling your shades with our stylish handheld pebble remote, setting schedules from your smart phone or utilizing voice control with Alexa or Google, you are sure to find the perfect way to manage light and privacy on all of your windows.
Home Automation for window coverings are perfect for today’s consumer. Eliminating lift cords make them ideal for child and pet safety, difficult to reach windows are now covered by the touch of a button and setting schedules gives better security and energy efficiency options.
Home Source’s Hunter Douglas Gallery has the tools and experts to elevate your windows and home in no time. Our Showroom is a great place to start the process. With over a dozen shade types available, narrowing down the best style and features is easy with our interactive displays. The next step is an in-home consultation where our design consultants guide you through fabric and color selections and finalize power supply options. If you’re in the midst of a remodel project or new build be sure to inquire about running low voltage wire to your windows so you never have to worry about changing batteries. If your home is complete your shades can be powered by regular Alkaline or Rechargeable AA batteries.
Home Source’s Hunter Douglas Certified Installers take care of every detail at the time of installation. They will make sure all your shades are programmed to meet your needs, assist with setting up your “scenes” and “Automations” and ensure your shades are in the exact position you want at the exact time you want them there. We can even guide you through the process of interfacing your shades with your other smart home devices such as Alexa, Apple Home Kit and Nest Thermostat.
Once you have upgraded your window coverings to Powerview technology, you will wonder how you ever lived without them. Hunter Douglas has a long reputation for creating the most beautiful window treatments on the market, now the most beautiful shades are also the most intelligent. When it’s time to make your smart home beautiful, remember Home Source Hunter Douglas Gallery has you covered. Make Home Source your source for window treatments.
Our designers at The Cleary Company know that whatever is chosen will frame and define the windows perfectly. We know that when Home Source Custom Draperies and Blinds is part of our TEAM on a remodeling project, our clients discover the very best window coverings for their needs. We value their expertise and ability to clearly articulate our clients’ vision for their windows. If custom window coverings are on your to-do list, why not visit Home Source Custom Draperies and Blinds and see what they can offer you?
As we continue to spend a good deal of time in our homes, they are a sanctuary now more than ever. Our kitchens have become the most used spaces in our homes, used for everything from cooking and office work to homeschooling and playtime.
But is your kitchen working for you the way you want, or are you seeing it for its flaws and disfunction? Do you envision new updated countertops for your island or a bigger island and work space as part of a kitchen remodel?
Our Design Team relies on Cambria’s top-quality, handcrafted product that combines both design and durability to keep our clients both happy and healthy within their home’s walls. Cambria quartz is nonabsorbent, scratch and stain resistant, and maintenance free. Adding Cambria quartz to your kitchen remodeling design might just make it the true sanctuary for you and your family.
At Home with Cambria, An American-Made Product
Known for its American-made natural quartz surfaces, Cambria designs often become not only the focal point of a room but also a piece of art for the home. Because Cambria natural quartz surfaces combine both design and durability—they’re nonabsorbent, scratch- and stain-resistant and maintenance-free—they all but guarantee a lifetime of beauty.
Even in Cambria’s selection of designs with movement—from Annicca and Brittanicca Gold to Mersey and Bentley—the looks remain timeless thanks to organic flowing veining and a captivating combination of tones that provide a versatility usually reserved for subtler styles.
For those who prefer a unique and one-of-a-kind aesthetic, consider designs with dramatic movement to be the ultimate art piece or focal point. Cambria designs with movement and veining are both functional and beautiful, adding interest and character to any décor scheme.
A standout design like Skara Brae™ not only looks great on countertops but can also be used as a backsplash. The accent of quartz behind the range can be seen below in this Powell OH kitchen addition.
Cambria’s Skara Brae on island countertop & range backsplash
And this gorgeous Kelvingrove island features a waterfall edge. This is where the countertop is dropped all the way to the floor. Waterfall edges can be fabricated for one, two or more sides. The island pictured below has subtle movement compared to the bold veining in Skara Brae.
Cambria’s Kelvingrove with waterfall edge on island
Get the Look
As you look to make changes in your kitchen, you might be searching for more inspiration. Watch our #BuildBetter video tour of the Midwest Quartz showroom, the Cambria slab gallery located in Hilliard, OH, from the comfort & safety of your home! Our Designer, Annie Muharrem, introduces Cambria Market Rep, Nina Patel, & Midwest Quartz’s Director of Sales, Brooke Burchfield, as they highlight the gorgeous full slabs on display and the collection’s extensive design samples. They also discuss how you can infuse personality and art into your next remodeling project.
Or visit Midwest Quartz’s showroom in person @ 4401 Lyman Dr in Hilliard anytime Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm or Sat 9am to Noon.
If the inspiration hits you and you know 2021 is the year you decide to remodel your kitchen, we are here to work with you. Our Team can help collaborate in designing the kitchen of your dreams, with a show-stopping home remodel project with Cambria! Contact us to get started today!
Whether remodeling an entire home or looking to upgrade a few spaces, it’s important to select the best products for your family that meet your needs and that will last for years to come. One of the best investments you can make is in your kitchen appliances. With a vast array of choices on the market today, it is important to consider your options and select the features and style just right for you. Our Design-Build Team at The Cleary Company along with our trusted industry partners, like Ferguson Kitchen, Bath & Lighting in Hilliard OH, are able help guide you through design and selection process for your next project.
Trends to Watch
From cooking up culinary creations to properly storing fresh ingredients, appliance purchases are an investment in productivity. Ferguson’ showroom assistants recommend – to not simply replace an appliance but explore, research and select an option that is larger, faster and stylish enough to meet your family’s needs now and into the future. Today’s kitchens are high-tech, colorful and all about convenience. Consider the following when looking for an upgrade.
Induction cooking – Induction cooking relies on magnetic technology to heat your food and uses far less electricity than standard cooktops. The heating response isn’t just fast – it is instant! You can boil a pot of water in just three minutes. and because induction cooking only heats what’s inside the pot the surrounding areas are safe to touch even when in use.
Professional grade quality for the home – Whether you’re a budding chef or culinary maestro, now more than ever before you can enjoy the benefits of commercial grade kitchen appliances. Approachable pro style products are elegant and understated to integrate seamlessly with a variety of design choices, while maintaining high-powered performance and hard-working functionality.
Color in unexpected places – You can keep your kitchen looking fresh and vibrant by adding a pop of color to an accent wall or by selecting colorful dishes, pots and countertop appliances. Taking this trend further several large appliance manufactures now offer color options like custom door panels, handles and knobs. Incorporating one or more of those options will add a fun and unexpected design detail.
Functional additions – Once the right personal touches are selected, consider all the ways you can enhance your kitchen with additions like warming drawers, built-in beverage systems and illumination.
Learn more
To learn more about how to incorporate these top appliance trends into your next home remodeling project, join us for our July #BuildBetter event on Wednesday July 22, 2020 at 5pm on Facebook . Kaitlyn & Kate, two industry professionals with expert product knowledge from Ferguson Kitchen, Bath & Lighting Gallery will further discuss these topics and give us a tour of their one-of-a-kind appliance showroom located at 4363 Lyman Dr, Hilliard OH 43026. If you would like to visit their showroom, they ask that you schedule a personalized appointment by calling ahead (614) 876-8555 or visit their website.
Our homes are providing us with a greater sense of safety and security than we have ever felt in the past. To #LiveBetter at home, we seek spaces that offer tranquility and sanctuary in an environment that promotes wellness.
At The Cleary Company, our Design-Build Team loves to collaborate with our friends at Hamilton Parker and we rely on their exceptional products and service. They provide premier building products, from designer tile and masonry products to fireplaces and garage doors. Together we can guide you to find the latest and greatest for your next remodel.
Randi Garris, Hamilton Parker Merchandising Manager, says sanctuary spaces are a top décor trend, “People want a relaxing, Zen-like vibe. Your home doesn’t just need to look good—it should feel good to be in, too.” Below are 5 ways to bring this trend to life for your next remodeling project.
Choose natural colors. Use a color palette found in nature, like warm neutrals. And instead of accenting with a pop of color in building materials, accent with plants, using green as your pop of color.
Use Earthy textures. Nature is full of texture, so bring it into your space to channel a connection to the Earth—the smoothness of honed marble, the grit of wood grain, the water-like translucence of glass. Today’s tiles offer unique and easy ways to incorporate a variety of textures.
Keep it minimal. When done right, this trend will evoke feelings of calm and serenity. Minimalize the aesthetic of a space by creating clean lines and surfaces, and by including stow-away storage solutions.
Go luxe beyond looks. Think dimensionally about this trend by moving beyond the aesthetic of the space and thinking about other senses, too. Heated floors, anyone?
Accent thoughtfully. Details are everything. Choose beautiful light fixtures with dimmers to set the mood. Select lush linens for bathrooms and kitchens or comfy blankets for other spaces. And finish the space with a soothing, Earth-inspired scented candle.
Contemporary Master Bathroom Addition Columbus OH
We hope you found some new ways your home can be transformed into a serene sanctuary and a place where you want to spend time. With the quality tile products from Hamilton Parker and the experienced designers & craftsman at The Cleary Company we can create your renovated dream home. Visit Hamilton Parker to take a look at their stunning products! To get started on your next project give us a call at 614-459-4000.
Our Team at The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build in Columbus, OH strives to work with the best suppliers and vendors in the industry. The Kohler Co. is just that! Our relationship with them enables us to provide our clients with innovative, well-designed and expertly crafted plumbing for your bathroom or kitchen. Read on for design tips and product recommendations from Kohler Co. in your small bathroom remodel.
Since 1873, Kohler Co. has been improving the level of gracious living by providing exceptional products and services for our customers’ homes and their lifestyles that continually set new standards in design, craftsmanship and innovation. When you choose Kohler brand, you are selecting an industry leader in kitchen and bath design, world-class products capable of creating a complete design solution, all manufactured to meet a singular level of uncompromising quality.
Your bathroom, regardless of size, is your sanctuary. If you’re stuck with a small-sized bathroom, don’t despair, these tips can help you get the bathroom you deserve.
You can increase the physical space and the perception of space by:
Keeping it cornered
Small bathrooms need to make use of all available space, so install shelving or build your storage units into the corner. Corners provide extra inches and allow you to create unique design solutions.
Downsizing your toilet
Consider replacing your toilet with a compact elongated model. It’s the same size as a round-front toilet but provides the comfort of an elongated seat. Plus, newer toilets use less water, making them friendlier to the environment.
Recommendation- – San Souci® toilet
Consider replacing your tub with a lower-walled model to help open sightlines and make the bathroom look more expansive. Try a five-foot tub with a flat bottom. It’s perfect for showering, but still deep enough for a pleasant bath.
With limited wall and hanging space, make your sink the artwork in your bathroom with a bold print or pattern.
Recommendation- Dutchmaster Blush Floral™ Carillon sink
Whether the bathroom you want to remodel is small and needs to stay that way due to your home’s footprint or you are looking to create a larger bathroom footprint, our Team will work with you to create a space that functions for your needs and fits your style. We trust Kohler Co and know they stand by their products, which is why we love partnering with them. The Cleary Company + Kohler Co. = a perfect partnership.
Join usfor our Build Better Open House Event with Kohler on January 22, 2020.
Kitchen remodeling is one of the most popular home remodeling projects call our Team receives. And it’s also one that we love to design and build for our clients! The kitchen is the heart of your home, a place for family and friends to gather and cook, eat, and hang out. But when you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen, it can be tough to know where to start.
That’s where our Remodel-Design-Build Team at The Cleary Company, Columbus, OH comes in. We get to see the kitchen renovation process from start to finish. We are blessed and grateful to work with so many amazing clients since 1994 and to share their joy when they see their vision come to life.
Choose a colorful Appliance:
Houzz published some great inspiration for adding color to your kitchen design. Of course, we think #4 is the best example!
Tile can take a backsplash from boring to beautiful with some careful planning.
Choose a different finish on the tile to impact the result of the design. Glossy or matte finishes create visual cues, as well as changing the design aesthetic.
Let your personality shine by transforming the way a room looks and feels with tile. Using different lay-outs, textures, and color, all help make the space unique.
Contrast the grout color for even more flair or keep it neutral so that it doesn’t stand out—options abound.
Keep it simple for the look you want or go bold and unexpected for more flair.
Blue glass mosaic tile Upper Arlington OH Kitchen remodel
Make a Statement with Your Cabinets:
Light or dark, painted or stained? It is a big decision. Why not both?! Each type has their pros and cons. It really just depends on the type of cabinets being used, the design style, your preference, and the benefits or challenges for both. This mid century modern kitchen uses a combination of light and dark stained cabinets with simple flat panel drawers and doors to compliment the unique light fixtures and orange accents.
Don’t Forget the Hardware:
Go beyond polished or brushed chrome and nickel. Why not choose antique copper, bronze or matte black? Don’t be afraid to try different shapes and sizes too!
Need more inspiration? Check out our Kitchens Portfolio on our website.
Ready to Get Started on Your Kitchen Remodel?
Our Remodel-Design-Build Team is here to collaborate with you on your new kitchen. Contact our Client Relations Coordinator by calling 614-459-4000 or visiting the contact page on our website.
Planning a Mudroom Remodel? Busy families need functional storage! Finding places in your home to store coats, sports equipment, backpacks, and more can be challenging, especially if you live in an older home, where a mudroom may be non-existent. Creating a well-equipped organized space or drop zone is a great addition to any home. Mudrooms are typically top on wish lists for Our Clients at The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build Columbus OH and our designers specialize in creating functional award-winning designs that meet the needs of your family.
It doesn’t matter how big or small it is, just that it fits your family’s lifestyle. A functional mudroom’s purpose is to provide an intermediate space that creates a transition between outside and inside. This structured place in your home provides quick and easy storage of items you need when leaving that is easily accessible – especially when leaving home in a rush. So, what do you need to think about if you want a mudroom?
Tips from Designer Olivia Kern Meadows
Olivia Kern Meadows, answers the most common questions our clients ask about mudrooms or, as we like to call them, drop zones. “Storage, in general, is the biggest request from our clients! Everyone is looking for a way to store things in an organized fashion. Once you show someone the best way to optimize their space for storage, you can begin playing around with what types of storage they want and whether it’s open or closed. People also request benches with storage. So, a place to sit and take off and put on their shoes, but also incorporates shoe storage beneath the bench.”
What are the best solutions to hiding or organizing clutter?
Baskets are amazing! Baskets are a great way to hide clutter, especially items that tend to look cluttered even when they are organized, such as keys, chargers, hats, gloves, and scarves. A great way to organize clutter with built-ins is to use several different types of storage: cubbies for basket storage, shoe shelves for shoes to lay flat on, boot storage behind a cabinet door or on a pullout shelf, drawers with dividers for smaller miscellaneous item, and closed storage above a drop zone for additional “messy looking” items.
What do we do with the kids’ shoes, their coats, car keys, winter boots, and pet supplies?
Kids Shoes: Use baskets and shelving situated just high enough that pairs of shoes must go in side-by-side – this forces organization and visual appeal. (Just be sure they are dry.)
Coats: Hooks at various heights allow adults and children to hang more items in a single vertical space. For example, kids hang their items on the lower hooks, while adults can hang their items on the higher hooks. As kids grow, they can begin hanging backpacks on the lower hooks and their coats on the higher hooks.
Car Keys: Install small hooks on the wall by the drawer, place a decorative bowl in the “drop zone”, or keep in a drawer that has organized dividers.
Winter Boots: Cubbies/Dividers at the floor level that go straight down to the actual flooring material are great for maintaining clean cabinetry when storing winter boots. Having adjustable height shelving (especially under a bench) is very helpful when trying to accommodate shoes of all heights and styles. We’ve also done a boot stage on a pullout shelf underneath a drop zone counter.
Pet Food/Supplies: A closed cabinet is the best way to store these items. Typically, under and above the drop zone is a great place because it’s easily accessible, but out of the way. The closed cabinetry not only helps to keep unorganized pet supplies from being visible, but it also helps to keep pet food smells from creeping out into your living space.
What gets overlooked that clients need?
All mudrooms should have charging ports and seasonal storage.
Outlet locations are more important than people realize and placing them strategically within a mudroom/drop zone can really make a difference in how functional the space and outlet can be. Placing outlets with thought will elevate the functionality of that space.
Something that people forget often is that there are other seasons than the one they’re currently in while designing their space. It’s important to create storage within the mudroom that allows clients to rotate their “wardrobe”. For example, when it’s winter, where will you store your scarves, hats, and gloves so that they are easily accessible each day? In the summer, where will you store your scarves, hats, and gloves so that they are out of the way? What about seasonal jackets? It’s not only important to have storage for what you need at the particular time, but it’s also important to have hidden storage for things you don’t need right now.
What’s your favorite mudroom that you designed?
A recent project in Upper Arlington comes to mind. This project has a tall pull-out with shoe storage, a charge station and a deep drawer that pulls out of a base cabinet for boot storage.
Tips from Ryan Schaad from Schaad & Sons Custom Cabinetry
What’s most important? The choice of wood that is used for cabinets. Ryan Schaad, owner of Schaad & Sons, Inc., is one of our premier custom cabinetmakers. We asked him some questions to help you understand the cabinet planning process for your mudroom.
Best wood species for custom cabinets- maple hardwood. Painted cabinets are very popular and maple allows paint to look like porcelain when it dries. Maple is also the best choice for stained cabinets since the wood can be stained to look like many different wood species.
We prefer stained over painted because of the wood top surfaces used in the mudroom where you might put your feet or any other objects that might be wet. These spots get the most wear and tear and it is easier to touch up a stained surface, rather than a painted surface.
Mudroom location can help determine the best type of cabinets for the space. A side entrance used only by the family means a mudroom can have open cubbies and shelves, with hooks for coats and bags. A mudroom that will be exposed to guests might be better with drawers and doors, where everything is hidden away and can be kept cleaner and neater.
Another feature that looks good and is very practical, leave the floor exposed underneath the bench seat or cubby area. Install the flooring underneath a bench so that you aren’t putting shoes on the wooden base of the cabinet or cubby. This way, when you take off your wet shoes, you aren’t placing them on wooden cabinet surfaces that can break down over time with repeated exposure to melting snow & ice.
Maintaining solid wood cabinets is easy. Treat them just like you would any other cabinets or piece of wood furniture in your home. You can find cleaning recommendations on the Schaad & Sons website.
If you’re planning a remodel, don’t forget about that drop zone! You know you need it and we’re here to build it for you. Contact our Client Relations Coordinator to get started 614-459-4000 or visit our website.
For more design inspiration visit our pro Houzz profile!
