Lifestyle Pick (Mudroom & Powder Room)

 A Room of Your Own

Looking for a corner in your home to call it your own? A mudroom and a powder room could be the fitting answer to find your personal space away from the urban chaos to spend some 'me time' at peace. In both cases, you may find a cosy niche of privacy for yourself unlike the rest of your nest. Both men and women enter a mud room to slip into their publicly-hidden souls behind the drawn curtains and be easily comfortable in their skin. They shed their formal attire and accessories to put on some clean household clothes and be the real fresh self. Contrarily, in a powder room, a lady could go for a face-lift and indulge in her image-building exercise to be that sought-after social butterfly with a puff of powder, a blush of rouge, a hint of lip colour, a mark of an eyeliner or a beauty spot to boot. The two rooms are extremely functional and add a modern vibe with 21st-century innovation.

BY PRAMITA BOSE

There is no place like home....neither on earth nor in our vision. It is the place you always want to return, reclaim yourself, own the things around you and rejoice amid your loved ones. After all, they all await you at home. When you find home in someone, you know he/she is the one for you. That’s why, it’s so important to do up a house with a personal touch to make it a ‘home sweet home’.

In this electronic age, home designing conforms to smart home compatibility with AI-aided appliances. The relevance of home décor is not just limited to artistry and creative prowess but functionality and value for money too. The latest two useful constituents of a 21^st century household layout are a mudroom and a powder room.

Cosy Fillers

Both mudrooms and powder rooms are like slick add-ons to civic amenities in the handbook of modern-day interior designing. The general tendency is to easily overlook such appendages to an eye-grabbing intricate interior and architectural detail of an ongoing project but fact is, the two are extremely utility oriented and can unlock significant value in the domain of new-age décor and design styles. Who knows, you may find your own ‘sukoon ghar’ to spend your ‘me time’ in the secluded corner of a mud or a powder room.

Home Sweet Home

If your home is where your heart is, you would definitely want to see it tidily decked up. And today’s smart dwellings have every cutting-edge gadget and aesthetic artifacts to spruce things up with an avant-garde twist. It mirrors the purchaser’s tastes, preferences and personality, plus narrates the inside story to a visiting guest.

Neatness is Key

If you want to treat your home like a holy haven, give it a spin of slick freshness with an aura of scented breeze.

But for that, you need to brush off the mud, dust, dirt, grime, snowflakes and other air pollutants outside its doorstep before setting your foot on its doormat. Here comes the concept of a mudroom.

Space to Unbox Yourself

A mudroom is a tiny chamber or a demarcated passageway to cast off that wet, sweaty, rain-drenched footwear and those soiled clothes in a foldable netted basket prior to enjoying a cold shower and towelling down to emerge dry and rejuvenated.

A crucial part of your wardrobe — worn and used throughout an exhausted day until you get dog-tired and retire to bed for relaxation — can be removed in this small but an integral closet before exploring the remainder of your house. You know you are most comfortable in your skin here, discarding the formal façade and changing into the inner casual ‘you’.

“A mudroom seems the best fit to serve as a transitional zone to keep shoes, bags, coats and dirt out of the main living area. It has a decisive purpose in a designer home and is highly functional for organised living,” shares interior design artist Rajesh Krishnan, founder of East Craft Designs, a multidisciplinary design studio based in Delhi.

A small entryway usually by the front or back door designed for removing and storing shoes, coats, umbrellas, bags and anything else you don’t want trailing into your home is what defines a proper mudroom.

“It’s that in-between space that keeps your main living area clean and clear so that you can leave the outside world at the door and set your foot into your home,” shares Arvind Kumar, design lead at MagickHome, a reputed home interior brand with footprints in Bangalore, Chennai and Coimbatore.

Notably, in designer homes, a mudroom becomes a beautifully planned utility zone with custom cabinetry, easy-to-wipe surfaces and cosy seating so that the inhabitants can mop and handle their everyday mess in a hassle-free manner.

“Our experience tells us that the occupants don’t always realise how much they need a mudroom until they have one. It quickly becomes part of their daily routine, especially in Indian homes where shoes, deliveries and groceries — almost everything — sneaks through the main door. Hence, such a spot helps manage the chaos,” observes Kumar.

Metro Mania

A1 cities in India are opening up to the crucial concept of a mudroom big time. Metros like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore with an upwardly mobile populace are adopting this small extension, especially in premium residences and luxury apartment accommodations.

“While mudrooms are yet to be standardised across Indian homes, tier-1 cities are visibly embracing the idea, particularly in top-grade complexes. The shift accelerated post pandemic when hygiene and clean entryways became a priority. People wanted a designated nook to remove shoes, sanitise and drop bags before going inside. It generated collective awareness around transitional zones and designers responded by converting them into stylish, functional mudrooms. It became a new normal at large,” informs Kumar.

Incidentally, not only in villas or big flats that one would frequently come across a mudroom. Some builders are even going that extra mile to start inserting a built-in mudroom space in their floor plans as well. They are chalking out ways to sweeten the pot for their clients by drafting in a mudroom provision in their design specimens. Also, NRIs returning to India often ask for a mudroom since they are used to this setup abroad. Therefore, the mindset is changing. People now expect their homes to work smarter, not just look good.

Where to Find it?

A mudroom is usually located in a specific area inside a household. Typically, near the main or back entrance, side door or adjoining the utility/laundry area acting as a first-stop drop region, you'll find a minuscule niche playing an impactful role and that's mudroom for you.

It is chiefly stationed where most of the foot traffic comes in from outside. “In Indian homes, we also consider Vastu and privacy. So sometimes, the mudroom has to be tucked away just outside the main door or hidden behind a partition near the foyer area,” reasons Kumar.

Size Matters

The common area measurement of a mudroom ranges from 20 to 60 sq. ft. in Indian urban homes, depending on the home layout. It is like a compact cubicle but amply efficient in utility. There’s no fixed size. In larger villas or bungalows, it can expand to 80-100 sq. ft.

“The goal isn’t size but the smart use of space. Even a condensed corner with good storage and seating arrangement can work beautifully as a mudroom,” assures Kumar.

Pocket Pinch

Many prospective home buyers may wonder if the addition of a mudroom makes the budget of a designer home cost intensive. “Not necessarily. The expenditure depends on the materials, finishes and personalisation. With the availability of modular storage and local materials at the customers’ disposal, it becomes quite affordable and investment-friendly," reminds Krishnan.

A mudroom can be as moderated or upmarket as one wants it to be. At its core, it’s just smart storage near an entryway.

Must-Haves of a Mudroom

The essential constituents of a well-designed mudroom are a cushy bench for seating, shoe racks, wall hooks for coats and bags, cubbies, mirrors, a cabinet or shelves to keep the daily essentials organised and occasionally, a coat closet or a key organiser.

The flooring is usually durable and easy to clean since it collects all the dirt that comes in from outside. Depending on the homeowner’s lifestyle, it can also include a chest of drawers to keep keys or wallets in safe custody. On the whole, a mudroom appears an attractive bet to curious and willing buyers who wouldn’t mind loosening the purse strings a bit.

Luxury to Modesty

Mudrooms are more popularly integrated into spacious structures like villas, bungalows, massive condominiums or luxe apartments. It is more compatible with posh flats as it's a perfect supplement in terms of unveiling utility as well as a charming appeal, which is a bonus. "Well, it's visibly a prominent part of larger homes but having said that, contemporary creators can easily fit a mudroom into smaller pads and cramped spaces with a gallery of urban, stylish and swanky designs," avers Krishnan.

“I beg to disagree that mudrooms are just for massive homes. With clever planning and designing, they can absolutely fit into smaller pads or city apartments. Even a 3x3 ft. nook near the entrance can double up as a mudroom with a bench, some hooks and closed storage. In fact, in compact homes, a well-structured mudroom cuts through the clutter and makes the space feel more organised and breathable,” comments Kumar.

In a nutshell, space is not the issue but planning is. “In one of our challenging projects, we could manage to fit full-functioning mudroom units into 2.5 ft wide corridors. Customised design makes it possible. In fact, tight spaces often coerce us to push the envelope further in order to be more creative with storage solutions,” recalls Kumar.

Yuppie Segment

Nowadays, even younger homeowners in smaller apartments demand a mudroom. “They’re influenced by travel thirst, social media apps like Instagram and practicality. So it’s not about luxury but mindset. Luxe homes tend to prioritise plush layouts and seamless living by virtue of which, a mudroom easily fits right in. Even mid-size homes can benefit from one. It’s really about how you value everyday ease and organised living,” volunteers Kumar.

Storage Capacity

Built-in storage is certainly a clever idea to save floor space as it’s highly effective in unleashing vertical and hidden storage niches while keeping the entire area around squeaky clean.

The storage capacity of a mudroom really depends on its size but with smart sense of designing application, even a small one can hold a surprising amount. Built-in storage is definitely a prudent choice as it throws an amazing element by stashing away everything while saving valuable floor space.

Tall cabinets, under-bench drawers and wall-mounted shelves can be well-customised to take care of one’s needs, whether it’s shoes, rain gear, pet accessories or everyday bags. It’s all about leveraging the space to the hilt.

Material Mosaic

A clutch of innovative, sustainable and budget-friendly materials can be used to accommodate a mudroom. Options include reclaimed wood, bamboo, cane baskets, recycled metal hooks and washable wall tiles or laminates to fashion a cubbyhole block by block.

There are plenty of options to build a mudroom without blowing the budget. You can use reclaimed wood for benches and shelving, which adds a lot of character and reduces waste. Bamboo is another great eco-friendly choice. It’s durable and affordable. For flooring, materials like recycled tiles or low-VOC laminates particularly work well since mudrooms deal with moisture and heavy usage.

Even simple metal hooks, jute baskets or plywood with a good finish can make the space functional and chic without overinvesting.

Colour Scheme

Neutral tones like beige, grey and off-white with occasional pops of earthy or pastel accents gel well for calm, inviting aesthetics.

Shades like beige, grey, olive or soft whites come in handy. They hide dirt, render a fresh vibe and create a smooth backdrop. The goal is to keep the space warm and welcoming as well as easy to maintain since it’s a high-traffic area.

It’s better to avoid incorporating super light hues on lower surfaces like benches or drawers, especially in Indian cities, where the atmospheric cover is heavily loaded with suspended dust particles and other air pollutants.

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Touch-Up Spot

The remaining interiors of one’s domicile can essentially comprise a powder room. Already looking for a clue? Well, it’s not your typical washroom but a guest restroom to be precise. It is specifically meant for the lovely ladies to freshen up and reglow with a brighter patch of make-up, and last-minute pats and dabs before making a formal appearance at the common area or in a living room.

“A powder room is a well-defined, compressed guest restroom, typically without a shower or a bath, offering visitors convenience and a much-needed privacy," explains Krishnan.

Kumar asserts that “powder rooms are a personal favourite to design because they provide us with a small canvas where we can really play with textures, lighting and statement elements without overwhelming the space.”

Nice & Necessary

The basic needs of a woman’s cloakroom or a station of comfort come in the form of a toilet, a sink and minimal accommodation for hand towels. “A powder room essentially contains a stylish wash basin, mirror, WC (water closet/toilet) and minimal storage or shelves — all designed to make a quick, elegant impression,” lists Krishnan.

Old World Allure

Dating back to the good old days in history, a powder room found its origin and name from the erstwhile traditional practice of dames and damsels to ‘powder their nose or applying a puff of face powder’ in a separate room before attending social galas.

This grooming ritual was quite prominent during the 18th and 19th centuries and evidently, it lends a vintage quality to today’s architectural patterns that include a powder room in a designer’s portfolio. The notion evolved in due course of time as a guest bath or half bath sans a bathtub or a shower head.

Given that it’s a centuries old concept, are today’s upwardly mobile Indian women waking up to this requirement in their household?

‘Absolutely! Modern Indian women, especially in cosmopolitan settings, are increasingly prioritising powder rooms for both practicality and sophistication in home design,” deduces Krishnan.

Market Worth

Considering that a powder room is also available in a public building like a hotel, resort, auditorium, malls and multiplexes, high-profile eateries, properties that host cultural events and social ceremonies, does it then aptly add exceptional market value and a saleable factor?

“Yes, of course. It undoubtedly enhances a property’s USP, adding both utility and luxury often seen as a pleasant combo for value-addition in real estate as well as hospitality,” opines Krishnan.

Strikingly enough, guests notice every minute detail — the lighting, the materials, the cleanliness and even the scent. It speaks volumes about the overall experience and quality parametres of the space. “Yes, all this and much more add a great deal of market value because such small but impactful design choices show a designer’s commitment to guest comfort and aesthetics,” concludes Kumar.

Points to Ponder 

Affordability

Incidentally, a powder room no longer exclusively caters to a high-end clientele. Once seen in luxury homes, a powder room can exist even in mid-range urban apartments today as a mark of modern lifestyle suitability.

In India and Abroad

Premium hotels, luxury condos and heritage homes from The Oberoi Udaivilas (Udaipur) in India to The Ritz in Paris — all similar facilities feature some tastefully-designed attractive powder rooms as a norm.

Where to Find It?

A powder room is typically located near the living or dining area of a designer home. It’s meant to be easily accessible to guests, strictly separated from the remaining personal spaces. This way, intrusion into privacy could be easily avoided.

Material Magic

A slew of concrete materials or otherwise is used in making a powder room. Materials range from natural stone and vitrified tiles to decorative laminates, brass or matte fixtures and designer mirrors. Focus is on durability with high aesthetics.

Shade Card

There is so much scope for experimenting with a powder room. Walls of powder rooms dish out an ideal canvas for bold adaptations from a dark moody palette to luxe metallics, wallpapers or statement lighting. It’s a pretty flexible space where creativity shines.

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