Get This Look: Back Entry Washroom and Drop Zone

In many homes, the front and back entries become areas of function over style. Mudrooms really are the workhorses of the home, with everyone in and out and all of their stuff usually landing there. Combine utility and beauty at the back entry by making it a functional drop zone for your family and giving it some class — plus a sink for so those dirty hands don’t leave their mark elsewhere in the house! I’ve got 6 tips for making it work. (image via Better Homes and Gardens)

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6 Tips for a Functional and Stylish Drop Zone and Washroom

1. Build In Function

You know me… built-ins are always the answer! Not only can they make a room seem larger, but a built-in shelf or cubby maximizes the space you have available to you. Having two slim locker-esque cubbies on either side of the sink gives you just enough storage room for the essentials while discouraging the room as a drop zone for every last thing. Our built-in bookshelf plans could easily be adapted to fit a space like this (hint, hint).

2. Add Style and Color

Nothing brings a room to life like color. The all-white shelving really makes any colors pop, and it’s easy to change up the colors as your taste or the season changes. A stack of colored hand towels right by the sink is clearly visible and encourages house members to actually use the towels instead of their trousers. A fun colored flower pot adds cheer and life to the room.

3. Hook Them

The dark metal of these wall hooks dresses up the room and stands out against the white so that no one can have an excuse for not hanging a coat on a hook. We love this style of hook (and its price!) from Amazon.

4. Go For Texture

I’ve said it before, but the key to making the all-white room with colorful accents work is texture! A little natural texture from the woven baskets and the wooden mini-benches add interest to the white room. Flat white walls would be pretty meh, but the subway tile and beadboard quickly dress up this small area and make it feel homey and chic. As an added bonus, both textures are fairly inexpensive and easy DIYs: we’ll teach you how to install subway tile and put up beadboard.

5. Splurge A Little

The wall-mounted sink and faucet really dress this room up. If you can save some cash DIYing something else, a sink is a definite designer-look upgrade! And this sink gets an extra style boost by tucking the plumbing out of sight: the wall behind the sink has been bumped forward a few inches, hiding the pipes and creating a ledge above the sink. Just be sure to leave plumbing access so you don’t have to take out the wall to fix a simple leak! This Vero Wall Mounted Sink would look great, but if it doesn’t fit your space or style, our friends at Wayfair have a great selection of both wall-mount sinks and wall-mount faucets so you can find what you love.

6. Beef Up The Molding

As a DIYer, I don’t dream of tall, dark, and handsome men — I dream of thick carved moldings! And luckily for me, I have a handsome man of my own to install them with me! Taller moldings add class and are a great place to save some DIY cash (so you can save for that farmhouse sink!). Get our tips for making the moldings look perfect.