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The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

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Mudroom Cubbies ~ Storage for hats & mittens

January 5, 2015 by Bethany Sy

Hey buddies! Long time no talkie! I wasn’t planning on taking a full-on blogging vacay, but it turned out that way when I was stricken with bronchitis and strep just in time for Christmas. Miraculously, Nick and the girls didn’t get sick at all, and they did a great job of taking care of me. The girls love to play Dr, so they were covering me in a million blankets, taking my temperature, and bringing me cough drops.

Speaking of cough drops, have you ever tried to cough when you’re pregnant? It’s unpleasant. And there’s always a little pee involved.

Recuperating on the couch.

While I was sick, Nick did countless loads of dishes (our dishwasher has been broken for months), and made many delicious home-cooked meals for our family… potato soup, hand-breaded chicken fingers, banana bread, burrito filling, homemade pizza, etc… all while building cabinets for the laundry room. I’m crazy spoiled. And lucky that I happened to be sick when he was off work for a couple weeks anyway.

We also celebrated our 6 year Anniversary yesterday… time flies! I wish I could have those collar bones again:

Aww! One of our wedding photos!

So now that the holidays, festivities, and anniversaries are over, I’m healthy, and we’re back to the daily grind… I’m going to finally share a little something I built for our mudroom. I actually threw this thing together before Christmas, but am just now sharing for all the above reasons.

CUBBIES!

Easy-to-build cubbies for the mudroom... to keep all those hats and mittens organized!

The inspiration for this came from these two pics that I had pinned awhile back. I don’t have the source for the first one, so if you know who’s pic this is, please tell me!

Inspiration for kitchen cubbies.Pic 1 source unknown / Pic 2 That’s My Letter

We already have a good storage solution for our shoes, but I did love this design and knew I could customize it to be smaller and perfect for hats and mittens in our little mudroom area that I’ve been building.

After measuring my space, I cut two 1×12 poplar boards to 52”, then drew out a zig-zag with right angles using a carpenters square.

Building mudroom cubbies for all those hats and mittens.Then I cut along the lines with my RYOBI jigsaw.

Build cubbies for your mudroom... super simple!!

So, once I had the zig-zags cut on one board, I traced it onto the other board and repeated!

Matching zigzag boards for building mudroom cubbies.

My next step is to cut the shelves… 7 total. I used the miter saw to cut a 1” board into 5.5” x 8.25”. (Note! Yours may not need to be such specific measurements for the space you’re needing your cubbies). I I glued these into place and secured them with a couple nails using my AirStrike gun.

Build your own cubbies for your mudroom! (or craft room, pantry, playroom, etc!!!)

Making custom cubbies for the mudroom!

For the fronts of my cubbies, I didn’t want such a chunky feel. So instead of using 1” wood like I had been, I just grabbed some 1/2” plywood we had laying around and cut it to size (6” x 10”)… 6 total.

Mudroom cubbies for all those hats and mittens... simple build!

Then the whole thing got primed and painted white! (this stuff).

This thing is pretty sturdy, but I decided to put a backing on it just for added durability. And I liked the idea of being able to remove it and use it somewhere else in the home if I so desired. I just measured and cut an old piece of plywood to size and glued/nailed it on. You cant tell in the pic below, but I painted the front side of the backing board to match my kitchen walls before affixing it to the unit. I knew how much harder it would be to paint in there after it was all installed!

Adding the final touches to the custom cubbies.

And finally, it’s ready to install in my little mudroom area! I worked on these cubbies off and on for an entire day, and had it finished before I went to bed. Not bad, eh?

Build your own custom cubbies for your mudroom to hold hats, mittens, etc. Super simple tutorial!

Those labels on the fronts of each cubby are actually chalkboard vinyl. Crazy awesome, right?! I ordered them friend Dana (my vinyl dealer and BFF), and just love the custom touch it adds. (you can get yours here!). Each family member has a cubby for our hats/mittens/etc, and we have two leftover for ‘returns’ and ‘things that belong in the garage’.

Chalkboard Vinyl by Decals'n'Decor by Dana

DIY Custom Cubbies for the mudroom area... perfect for hats, mittens, etc!

You might remember from my sketch that there will be shelving extending across the top of this whole area. NEXT ON THE LIST! Although, I’ll admit I’m starting to feel myself slowing down being in my 8th month of pregnancy. This might need to wait!

Sketch of FUTURE KITCHEN!

We affixed this thing to the wall by screwing straight through the backing with drywall screws… making sure we hit studs. It’s solid! And the girls are excited to put their hats and mittens away after coming in from the cold.

Custom Mudroom area in kitchen... Tutorial for DIY Cubbies to hold hats and mittens!

UPDATE! We’ve finished the kitchen mudroom, and it turned out AMAZING!

Mudroom integrated into a kitchen entrance, complete with cubbies and baskets for shoes.

If you think about it, these cubbies could be used for soooooo many things. I think I could use one in each room of my house! Can you imagine… toy room? pantry? craft storage? closets? HELLO!

Be sure to check out all the other little projects I’ve done to make this space feel more custom and built-in. Not to mention my island-turned breakfast bar! Things are slowly coming together, and I’m having such a blast!

Sawdust-Embryos_thumb5

Thanks for pinning!

Tutorial for building these simple mudroom cubbies to store hats and mittens.

*this post contains affiliate links

Related:

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    When the twins moved into what used to be the guest bedroom, I knew I…

About Bethany Sy

Nick and Bethany Sy are the creative free-spirits behind DIY/Lifestyle blog, Reality Daydream. They recently purchased a historic mansion and have been documenting the ups and downs of renovation and making this home their own... all while sharing tips and tutorials along the way! When they found themselves in the trenches of infertility, they started a journey that would prove to be their most important DIY project ever, and have 3 beautiful girls to show for it. <3

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Comments

  1. 35

    Nicci C says

    April 9, 2020 at 11:02 pm

    Looks really nice! Do you know the name of the original tile backsplash from the green/teal kitchen and where to buy it? Thanks for the good ideas

    Reply
  2. 36

    Patricia says

    January 29, 2020 at 4:25 pm

    Nice! Can i get the blueprint of it?

    Reply
  3. 37

    PATRICK says

    May 6, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    Great cubby plan. Do you know the original blue-greenish wall color? How about the white? I like the combo and want to use it for a project. Thanks!

    Reply
    • 38

      Bethany Sy says

      May 7, 2019 at 7:17 pm

      The dark teal color is by Pittsburgh Paints and the color is Deep Emerald! I believe the white is just Rustoleum white spray paint.

      Reply
      • 39

        Patrick says

        May 13, 2019 at 5:46 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
  4. 40

    Patrick says

    May 6, 2019 at 8:47 pm

    What color was the original blue-green wall? The white? I like the new and old colors, but would like to use the old color for a project. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. 41

    Candy says

    November 19, 2018 at 3:48 pm

    Pure genius I love it! Thanks for the tutorial!!

    Reply
  6. 42

    Jamie C says

    October 1, 2018 at 2:42 am

    Where did you find the door knobs?? I love them!

    Reply
    • 43

      Bethany Sy says

      October 1, 2018 at 12:01 pm

      We found them in the basement of the house!

      Reply
  7. 44

    Lori says

    February 18, 2018 at 6:21 pm

    Love this idea and totally going to put at my back entrance. Can I ask how you came up with the measurements for the zig zag? For example are both sides of the zig zag the same measurement, or is one larger than the other?

    Reply
    • 45

      Bethany Sy says

      February 20, 2018 at 12:54 am

      I did mine with a completely right angle with the measurements being the same on both sides of the zigzag. But you can modify yours for your own needs! You could tweak it to make your cubbies deeper or more shallow. 🙂

      Reply
  8. 46

    Jodie says

    November 17, 2017 at 3:16 pm

    I absolutely love this space! Where are the small upper cabinets from and did they come with mirror in them?

    Reply
    • 47

      Bethany Sy says

      November 20, 2017 at 4:48 pm

      Jodie, we built those upper cabinets above the existing cabinets, and added the mirrors and decorative trim too. It was a lot of work, but the results are so pretty and custom!

      Reply
  9. 48

    Anna Miller says

    March 29, 2015 at 4:08 am

    These are fantastic! You could even use a precut stair stringer as a shortcut!

    Reply
    • 49

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      March 30, 2015 at 6:45 am

      SO TRUE! I hadn’t thought of that. Genius!

      Reply
    • 50

      Patrice says

      January 19, 2018 at 11:40 am

      When I saw the picture on FB I thought that you had used stair treads. I love the use of the old door knobs. If you had shown the color pick for the cabinets I would have said no way but I love them.

      Reply
      • 51

        Bethany Sy says

        January 24, 2018 at 2:47 pm

        You’re so sweet Patrice! Thank you! <3

        Reply
  10. 52

    Liza Panijel says

    January 15, 2015 at 9:49 am

    Really awesome! Respect girl! 🙂

    Reply
  11. 53

    Nicole Goodwin says

    January 9, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    we use a hanging shoe rack in our coat closet for hats and mittens and two for our shoes in the back entryway. as you know there is no room coming in from the garage so when we come in the boys take off their shoes and put them in a cubby 🙂 then when they take off their hat and mittens they walk to the closet and put them in a cubby/ opening in our hanging shoe racks 🙂 saves TONS of space

    Reply
  12. 54

    Mindy says

    January 8, 2015 at 8:47 am

    Wonderful! Great job you did there! Thanks for sharing! I am incredibly happy to find your post! Cheers!
    web site

    Reply
  13. 55

    Mindy Friedlander-Schaper says

    January 7, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    I love the cubbies. They really do organize your stuff. Need something like that. We currently stuff our hats and gloves etc in two drawers which are very hard to open. Oh well.

    Reply
  14. 56

    Katy in a Corner says

    January 6, 2015 at 10:22 pm

    Seriously wishing we were neighbors so I could babysit your kids while you build and repair stuff in my house. Y’all let me know when you’re sick of the frozen tundra and want to move down here to Alabama. 😉

    Reply
  15. 57

    CatwomanMN says

    January 6, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    I love it!

    Reply
  16. 58

    Kenz says

    January 5, 2015 at 11:14 pm

    Cubbies for all the things! Also, I totally feel ya on the pee front. I got the stomach flu this weekend. I puked so hard over at my parents’ house yesterday while we were there for dinner, that I peed my pants. Like, a lot. It’s a always a fun time peeing your pants at your parents’ house and having to wear your dad’s sweats. #noitsnotfun

    Reply
  17. 59

    Becky Bridell says

    January 5, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    I’ve always wanted something like this for potatos, onions, apples, oranges, garlic…. An awesome kitchen addition. BTW, your looking awesome!

    Reply
  18. 60

    Emily Gwartney Horrocks says

    January 5, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    You’re amazing! When I first saw the pic, I figured it looked way too complicated. Good tutorial and it really doesn’t look hard at all. Seemed pretty simple, really! Thanks for sharing! So glad you’re feeling better again! Let the nesting begin!

    Reply
  19. 61

    Sarah says

    January 5, 2015 at 8:59 am

    So cool. Nice job!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 20+ Smart DIY Entryway Shoe Storage Ideas & Hacks For 2019 says:
    December 8, 2019 at 4:20 am

    […] Source […]

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  2. DIY Mudroom Cubbies – DIYFix.org says:
    January 18, 2018 at 12:07 am

    […] DIY Mudroom Cubbies […]

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  3. 20 Amazing Home Decor Projects That You Can DIY on a Budget – Wikis diy says:
    December 5, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    […] Tutorial: realitydaydream.com […]

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  4. 20 Laundry Room Organization Ideas + Hacks - A Blissful Nest says:
    March 16, 2016 at 12:00 pm

    […] Build a vertical cubby to hang on the wall for socks, mittens, and other things like that. { Vertical Cubby Storage } […]

    Reply
  5. Extending Kitchen Cabinets up to the Ceiling - Sawdust and Embryos says:
    June 8, 2015 at 10:34 am

    […] a breakfast bar to the island, built two mudroom benches (one built-in and one on casters) and cubbies, That sort of leaves the cabinets. […]

    Reply
  6. Woodshop Organization Spray Paint Rack - Sawdust and Embryos says:
    June 1, 2015 at 9:54 am

    […] You can click those plans above and print them out like I did. I started by cutting the two edge pieces… very similar to my mudroom cubbies. […]

    Reply
  7. A Tour of our Homestead! - Sawdust and Embryos says:
    May 30, 2015 at 3:24 pm

    […] to tackle the ‘mudroom corner’ by adding a built-in bench, a rolling bench underneath, and cubbies for hats/mittens/etc. OH! And you guessed it, we painted over the dark teal. We’re extending the cabinets up to the […]

    Reply
  8. Mudroom Ideas | Quaintrelleoquist says:
    May 15, 2015 at 7:03 am

    […] source […]

    Reply

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We are Nick and Bethany! Welcome to our blog, Reality Daydream where we share our DIY adventures!
Click here for lots of art projects using only wood stain on furniture!!
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Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.

 

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