Two school-age boys, three gallivanting dogs, and lots of outdoor space in Broomfield mean one thing: copious amounts of dirt. And, well, a ton of stuff. Enter Deidre Oliver of Niwot-based Oliver Designs, who created this refreshing and stylish take on a mudroom to keep everybody’s clutter organized and hidden. Here are her top three tips.

Be Efficient: “Laundry rooms are no longer just for the basement,” says Oliver, who focused on multifunctionality and combined a washer and dryer, dog-wash area, coat closet, and gear storage all in one space that can be closed off from the rest of the house. Got a bench? Add cubbies underneath. Empty wall space? Install hooks.

5280 Home Autumn 2016
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Do The Dog Wash: If your four-legged friend likes to roll in the dirt, a dog-wash station lined with inexpensive glass tiling (accented by adorably appropriate artwork) keeps messes in the mudroom—and keeps carpets and furniture paw-print-free.

Materials Matter: Pulling in custom cushions and a wool rug (this one by Jaunty) is a great way to soften up the space. “It adds a little bit of warmth and texture in a place that’s otherwise a lot of hard surfaces,” Oliver says.