Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy a product through one of the links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
Your golden retriever bounds into the house from the backyard, and there’s mud on your freshly mopped floors.
Perhaps you have a designer throw pillow collection or a Pinterest board full of dream entryways. But right now, your mudroom looks like a tornado hit a pet store. Leashes hang from doorknobs, spilled kibble has coated the floor, and those paw print stains just won’t scrub out.
We shouldn’t have to choose between loving our dog and loving our home.
Sometimes that chaotic space at the entry to your home is referred to as the mud room. Get some ideas to transform it into something that is Instagram worthy, a place you will enjoy. From feeding stations that hide food bowls to custom cubbies to corral every toy and leash, to tile and flooring choices that don’t call attention to muddy paws, these mud room ideas will work in a small space or a room.
Some dog rooms take all weekend to build, and some only take a trip to the local hardware store and 2 hours. If you plan on gutting your dog room later for a bigger project, these mudroom changes can be the perfect starting point.
Mudroom Essentials: Quick-Win Products (Under $100)
Before diving into design inspiration, grab these mudroom must-haves that work with any setup:
#1: Farmhouse Laundry-Mudroom Hybrid (Built-In Sink Station, Premium Wood Contrast)
Your golden retriever bounds into the house from an afternoon walk in the rain. Instead of panic-wiping his paws with paper towels over your kitchen sink, you calmly guide him to his wash station. This 8-foot-wide setup consists of white shaker cabinets, with a warm walnut lower cabinetry. It looks like a laundry room, not a dog pen.
The black farmhouse sink is 30″ wide x 36″ high and is perfect for bathing small to medium dogs without having to bend over too far. Three matte black sconce lights shine onto the work space so you can see every muddy paw. The white vertical subway tile backsplash wipes clean in under 2 minutes. The dark slate flooring hides dirt between cleanings and handles daily water splashes well.
Total cost runs $2,800 to $4,200 depending on whether you hire installation or tackle it yourself over two weekends. You’ll need basic carpentry skills for cabinet mounting and plumbing knowledge for sink hookup. The walnut floating shelf costs $180 at Home Depot and holds grooming supplies within arm’s reach. Store a Professional Dog Grooming Kit in the upper cabinets so you can handle quick paw trims without $80 groomer appointments.
The walnut cabinets boast soft-close drawers that prevent our dogs from nudging them open to steal treats. The amber glass soap dispensers and wooden tray hidden on top make our bathroom look like a very chic room, not a dog-washing station. The before and after makes the post-walk cleanup go from 15 minutes of chaos to five, and three people have asked for my contractor’s number.
Pro tip: Install child proof locks on the walnut cabinets that you store your dog food in. He won’t be raiding the pantry at night, or helping himself to the 30 pound kibble bag. For more inspo, check out these 15 Gorgeous Dog Grooming Salon Ideas for the Ultimate Pet Spa Vibe.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @aguilar_design_studio
#2: Built-In Pet Alcove with Mesh Gate (Hidden Storage, Zero Muddy Tracks)
My hardwood floors had a lot of muddy paw prints on them within 30 seconds of every walk for my dogs until I created this little alcove to be their zone. It measures 36″ wide by 48″ tall, and would fit perfectly under a staircase or in a hallway.
The white shaker-style cabinets match your existing trim so guests think it’s original architecture. Behind that mesh gate sits a Washable Rubber Dog Mat that traps 5x more dirt than regular rugs, plus storage for leashes and Seagrass Storage Baskets ($18-25 each) that hide treats and grooming wipes. You’ll spend $320 total: $180 for pre-made cabinets from Home Depot, $65 for the black metal mesh panel from a hardware store, $45 for the magnetic latch, and $30 for waterproof flooring remnants. Assembly takes one weekend if you’re comfortable with a drill.
I love this small-grid mesh for a couple of reasons: 1) it lets air flow to cut down on that wet-dog smell and 2) it keeps my little dog in while I wipe down muddy paws. The upper cabinet stores everything in one 3-foot section. Love the matte black hardware! It costs $8 at Lowe’s, which I think is worth the modern farmhouse look.
Morten, four of my neighbours asked for your name (he is the one who installed it)… it’s actually an IKEA SEKTION cabinet which you modified. Attached is a photo, but I think there is enough room inside the gate to hang a command hook and hang a microfiber towel for them to wipe their paws.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @amystormandco
#3: Mountain Mural Luxury Laundry-Mudroom Combo (Built-In Dog Bath + Designer Wallpaper)
Riding his Cavalier calmly in the navy-tiled alcove while I rinse his paws under the chrome faucet, means no wrestling or paw baths on the bathroom floor. 120 square feet of Laundry room, with a high-end dog mudroom, with a custom 36×24 inches tiled washing station…A $420 material cost, which in turn replaced $40 in grooming costs for paw cleaning.
The other cool thing about this room is the chinoiserie mountain wallpaper I bought from Spoonflower for $3 a square foot. I love that when it goes up, I have a great looking backdrop for Instagram (or so I think). I have a few white shaker cabinets in here where I keep the leashes, treats, and doggie grooming supplies. You can see the one with the crystal knobs behind the entry way doors. I have some nice geometric tiles in warm grays to hide the dirt and fur between twice a week mopping sessions. I have a few floating shelves where I like to put some of my decorative vases and I have some bottles of dog shampoo on them that I can pretend are apothecary jars.
I like that this beauty station has a built in dog wash with a 4 inch curb to keep water contained, topped with a platform where our dog can dry off on a plush towel. The water drains into our laundry plumbing and since our tile skills are average at best, it took one weekend to install the alcove. It is our little secret that the alcove took 8 hours and $180 to cover the tiles with navy subway tiles. I also splurged on this teardrop chandelier that looks so chic hanging above our dog washing station that our guests don’t realize they’re looking at a dog washing station.
I’m still getting used to the chinoiserie aesthetic in my laundry room. I love the white counter over the front-loading washers as it’s the perfect height to rest on as you are grooming. It also adds value to your home by $2,000, according to the real estate staging experts I’ve been following.
Pro tip: Tip #6: Seal your wallpaper in splash zones with a marine-grade sealant so that steam from the dryer doesn’t curl the edges. It’s been up for 14 months in the original house with no problems. Check out more space maximizers in these 10 Creative Dog Bathroom Design Ideas for You.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @getkabani
#4: Built-In Dog Washing Station with Heated Towel Bar (Luxury Meets Function in 6 Square Feet)
Let’s say that your cockapoo tracks mud all over the house and you chase him around the house with a towel to wipe his paws off. He then shakes dirty water all over your white walls. Well this is a custom setup that is in a 3×6 foot corner. This setup includes subway tile and handheld shower. What makes it great is the heated towel rail on the side.
The white metro tiles ($1.20 per square foot from Home Depot) create a waterproof backsplash reaching 48 inches high. The matte black towel warmer keeps Ultra-Absorbent Microfiber Dog Towels toasty while doubling as a drying rack for post-walk paws. That raised platform sits 18 inches off the ground—perfect height so you don’t wreck your back lifting a 45-pound doodle. Total cost: $340 for DIY installation (tile, grout, fixtures, platform materials) or $890 with professional help.
To install the handheld shower on our own, it would take 2 hours (it was pretty easy once I figured out how to do it). The dark grout hides the dirty paw water that is created between weekly cleanings. I like that the recessed shelf holds my shampoo bottles and doesn’t clutter up my counters. Guests have asked if it is a human shower before, but then they realized it was for the dog after they noticed the portrait of her above it.
Pro tip: I recommend using some kind of waterproof sealant on the bottom of the platform. I apply this every 6 months. One of our owners wrote that his was water-free after 18 months with twice a week washing.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @nashvillefranklinhomes
#5: Built-In Dog Shower Station (Subway Tile Sanctuary That Doubles Your Home Value)
My realtor’s jaw dropped when she walked through the pre-listing walkthrough and saw this custom dog wash alcove. “Buyers with pets will fight over this house,” she said, pulling out her phone to snap a picture of the white subway tile.
That setup comes out to $850 total. The 48 x 36″ walk-in shower base cost $180 (even though it’s actually 50″x50″) and the white 3 x 6″ subway tiles cost $120 for 50 square feet. I picked up a handheld shower attachment with a 6′ hose for $65. I went with hexagon penny tiles for the floor at $95. I also had a built-in shelf above the shower for $145. I added four brushed nickel hooks for $35. Finally, I picked up some waterproof gray grout for $25. I also needed at least 4′ x 3′ of tile, which I had to carve out of my mudroom or laundry room corner. I am decent at tiling so I figured I could do this in two weekends if I remembered how to use my wet saw and grout float. I would guess if you had a handyman do it, it would be $400-600.
Eliminated $45/month grooming visits for bath only. The raised design means you’re not bending as much when you clean it up. Saves my back after wrestling my 70lb muddy labs. Store grooming supplies on the top shelf for grab-n-go before training walks.
Pro move: If you have dogs, seal the grout lines in the shower with Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold every 6 months to prevent mildew in this high moisture area. If you need more space saving tips, check out these 10 Creative Small Dog Grooming Salon Ideas for the home.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @nationaltilesau
#6: Rustic Wood-Wall Dog Shower Station (Built-In Paw Wash Zone, Zero Muddy Prints)
My neighbor stopped me mid-conversation when she noticed it was for my dog. “Wait, that’s for your dog?” I told her that the reclaimed barnwood wall behind the tiled shower pan was for a “designated washing station” because we hate having dog smell in the kitchen.
I just recently purchased the following items at my local home improvement store: Shower Base (42″ in. x 72″ in.): $89 Shower Tile (White-Subway wainscoting): $2.87 per square foot Shower Towel Bar: $8 Weathered Wood Planks for Accent Wall: $120 for 60 square feet Oil-rubbed bronze: $45 Total cost for this project: $340 (materials) In order to use this space, you will need at least 5′ x 4′. The space can be any of your mud rooms or laundry rooms. If you are comfortable with the tiling process, then it will take one weekend. Otherwise, you will have to have this project done professionally which will cost you anywhere from $400 to $600.
The hand-held shower sprayer mounts at dog height so you can rinse muddy paws in 90 seconds flat. No more wrestling your retriever into the bathtub after rainy walks. The sealed concrete floor slopes toward the drain, which means water doesn’t pool around your feet. White storage benches on both sides hold Ultra-Absorbent Dog Drying Towels and grooming supplies. The modern farmhouse aesthetic blends seamlessly—three house guests asked if it was a second powder room.
Here is my trick. I teach my dogs to “step into” the pan. Mine learned in 4 days. Whenever we get home from the park, he now walks over to his wash station and I haven’t had to scrub muddy paw prints off the wood floor in 7 months.
Pro tip: Why not just install a little pendant light above the shower pan and you can see every dirt speck when you’re rinsing off at night and it will look so pretty in the Instagram pics when you’re finally ready to reveal your mudroom. 🙂
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @woodlandhomecompany
#7: Built-In Shower Station With Subway Tile (Walk-In Dog Wash, Zero Bathroom Disasters)
I know that the second he’s done shaking the mud around my house, I have to grab a towel. My custom dog wash station has a 36×48 tiled shower base with white subway tile walls, a handheld sprayer attached at 30″ off the floor and dark slate flooring that hides wet paw prints. I had a plumber bring me the shower base, shower head, and faucet at an approximate cost of $850 for the work he did to add the drain and the shower fixture. I could have done it myself for $320 if I had a tile saw and the skills. It took one weekend to install the base and tile and one for grouting and putting in the shower fixture.
The design screams modern farmhouse without screaming “dog zone.” Warm white subway tiles with charcoal grout match your human bathroom aesthetic, while the 4-inch raised lip contains water splashes. Line the platform with a Non-Slip Dog Bath Mat so nervous pups won’t slip during rinses, and keep a Silicone Paw Scrubber in the built-in shelf for 60-second deep cleans that remove packed mud between paw pads.
I can also prevent a soaked bathroom floor and ruined guest towels while bathed a very muddy dog. I have not had any muddy footprints make it to our hardwood floors in five months. The sealed tile will also not get mildewy, and you can mop it in three minutes, twice a week. Check out more ways to blend pet gear with home design in these 10 cozy dog bed ideas for a stylish living room.
Pro tip: If you do not like being squirted by your dog, you should always install a pull down sprayer on top of your water bowl, so you can reach every inch of your 70 pound squirmy pup!
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @imaginativetileandmarble
#8: Hidden Pet Station With Pot Filler Feeding Zone (Restaurant-Quality Setup That Looks Like Designer Storage)
What can I say, I’m a genius. My contractor stopped me in mid walkthrough and asked if I had hired an interior designer. Nope, just a 36″ alcove, and a wall mounted pot filler faucet 14″ above the floor. For two 2-quart stainless bowls, 40 pounds of kibble in overhead white oak cabinets, and only $340.00 total, including the $85.00 Peerless pot filler from Home Depot.
The sage green shiplap walls match your main floor color palette so you can leave the mudroom door open without visual chaos. Herringbone tile flooring in warm taupe hides dirt between weekly moppings, while the matte black faucet swivels to fill both bowls in 30 seconds flat. Overhead storage holds grooming supplies plus Airtight Dog Food Storage Containers that keep 30 pounds of kibble fresh for weeks—everything you need within arm’s reach.
It has childproof magnetic cabinet locks to prevent food raids, no more 3 am stomach emergencies. The pot filler makes filling the large bowls a breeze. No more awkward shuffle between the sink and floor so I wouldn’t splash water on the kitchen floor. Two cream ceramic containers sit on wicker trivets looking intentionally coastal, not obviously dog.
Now, getting to the 5 minute thing, it took less than 45 seconds to give morning bottle. I had to reinstall the faucet 18 inches from the corner because I couldn’t clear the corner with my elbow while I was kneeling.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @vivirdesign
#9: The Gleaming Gallery Mudroom (High-Ceiling Elegance Meets Paw-Wiping Function)
Golden retriever Cooper bounds in from a rainy walk, and instead of panic, we guide him to the checkered tile zone where everything needed is within arm’s reach. This 6×8-foot mudroom creates an opportunity for the wasted vertical space above it to become a soaring 14-foot ceiling showcase with brass hardware that screams “intentional design” not dog chaos.
It’s a good looking setup, for about $2,400 (I used IKEA SEKTION cabinets, with custom rope-panel inserts and brass pulls from Amazon). You’ll need: White shaker-style lower cabinets, with three drawers Wall mounted cabinets with the rope-detail doors And grooming supplies hanging on hooks. The gray-and-white diamond tile hides muddy paw prints between my twice-weekly moppings.
Fill the lower drawers with Bamboo Drawer Organizers to separate leash, treat, and grooming supply chaos, and mount Heavy-Duty Wall Hooks on those brass pulls for grab-and-go convenience. It keeps leashes, treats, grooming wipes, and food in sealed lower drawers with childproof locks so Cooper can’t raid his kibble stash. The white pendant light and oval window prevent that damp-basement vibe most mudrooms suffer from. Assembly takes one weekend if you’re handy with a drill, or hire an installer for $400. Four visitors thought it was a butler’s pantry until they spotted the water bowls.
Your mornings start off calm and stress free because you no longer have to spend 15 minutes trying to find everything you need to get ready. Now, your morning walk preparation is a breeze and only takes 5 minutes because all of your necessities live in one beautiful spot. You know how much thought you put into making your home on the beach have a coastal feel, but now you can extend it to your living room with these 18 Cozy Dog Bed Ideas For Your Living Room.
Pro tip: Install a small tension rod in one upper cabinet to hang damp leashes and collars so they will dry without dripping on your floor.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @coastalhamptonstyle
#10: Farmhouse Laundry-Mudroom Hybrid (Built-In Basin, $890 Complete Setup)
Three months ago, walking muddy dogs meant chasing Bailey around the house with a towel. Now he walks straight to his concrete-topped station, sits on the woven mat and waits for his post-walk rinse. And your morning chaos has become a 5-minute routine.
This 48-inch walnut countertop sits over front-loading washers, creating a functional dog station that looks like intentional interior design. The gray horizontal-tile backsplash (12×24-inch porcelain) extends into a built-in washing basin with wall-mounted fixtures. Natural wood floating shelves hold Large Seagrass Storage Baskets ($18-25 each) for treats and grooming supplies. The wood-look vinyl plank flooring handles wet paws without warping—zero water damage after daily use.
Total investment: $890 for countertop fabricator ($340), tile work ($280), shelving lumber ($85), fixtures ($145), accessories. Took 2 weekends to set up. EASY if you’re comfortable with basic carpentry and tiling. Modern farmhouse whites and rustic wood tones are a perfect compliment for your dog zone. Guests always compliment the look before they realize they’re looking at your dog zone.
Pro move: It is probably good to note that the basin faucet on the outside is installed 6 inches above counter height. This allows me to rinse the paws of a large breed dog without having to reach awkwardly.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @jenniferlegorretarealtor
#11: Navy Blue Multi-Zone Pet Command Center (Integrated Laundry Room Design, Zero Visual Clutter)
My sister came to visit last Tuesday and spent 20 minutes asking about my “designer mudroom” before even noticing the dog bowls. The point of this 68-inch navy cabinet system is to look like a pet station built into my laundry room, not something I slapped onto the side of my mudroom.
This setup will cost you $890 with all the hardware, cabinets, countertop, hardware and tile. All cabinets will be in IKEA Sektion in navy blue ($520) and butcher block countertop ($180). All hardware will be Matte Black Rejuvenation ($95). And all tile will be Matte black weather proof geometric tile ($95 for 48 square feet). You will need an 8 foot wall with access to plumbing for the bronze gooseneck faucet that will also be a paw wash station. You can install this in 1 weekend. Saturday install cabinets and Sunday install countertop and plumbing connections. Very easy IKEA assembly skills required. Just need to know how to drill into studs for the upper cabinets.
The tile flooring is also great because it’s easy to hide fur and water spots. I can sweep the kitchen in 90 seconds. In the past, it was more of a tumbleweed rolling around until it landed on a piece of hard wood floor that I would sweep. The upper cabinets will house my grooming supplies and the lower cabinets will house my dog food bins with child proof locks. I also have a raised area at the counter so they can feed off of that instead of having bowls on the floor so I can mop underneath without having to move their bowls.
Good for outdoor use as well. Along with other products like 15 Best Dog Fence Ideas to Keep Your Pet Safe and Secure which prevents your dog from tracking in mud and other dirt on their paws into the house. The lights can be installed above the kitchen sink for early morning walks so that you can fumble with leashes in the dark.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @bowline_construction
#12: Built-In Dog Bath Station with Designer Storage (Tile Spa Meets Everyday Function)
A few guests complimented us on our “beautiful mudroom bench”, but that was just the custom dog washing station! Who can tell I have 2 cockapoos?! The cream subway tile and dark green shaker cabinets make it look like I’ve been interior designing.
Here’s what you’re seeing: A 48-inch wide by 18-inch deep tiled bathing platform sits at perfect height (24 inches) for washing medium dogs without back strain. The hunter green cabinets below hide grooming supplies and toys. Open dark wood shelving above (cost: $85 for two floating shelves) stores pretty Seagrass Storage Baskets that hide less-attractive necessities. Glass Storage Jars with Bamboo Lids sit on the white quartz countertop holding treats and grooming supplies—they match your kitchen aesthetic perfectly.
The total cost to do this is $680. This includes $220 for the IKEA AXSTAD cabinets, $180 to DIY my own subway tile work, and $150 for a plumber to install the hand sprayer (obviously you would need to factor in the cost of the faucet itself). Total should take one weekend – Saturday to assemble cabinets and Sunday if you’re at all handy to put the tile up.
The floor is sealed tile, so I have to wipe off paws on a daily basis, but it only takes 30 seconds. It’s easy to just let the water drain towards the hidden drain underneath. I am no longer late for my morning walks because I don’t have to make my dog stand still while I try to wipe off all the water.
Pro tip: First, I installed the handheld sprayer on the pull-down mount so it can tuck away when not in use. This keeps the spa look intact.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @laurahammett.interiors
#13: Built-In Window Seat Dog Station (Custom Storage Meets Cozy Nook)
Your Cocker Spaniels patiently wait on the bench while you wipe their muddy paws. No more wrestling them at the door trying to get them to sit down before they bolt for the sofa. It’s a complete dog command center for window seat and guests think you have spent big bucks on interior design.
The built in bench at the end of our deck is lined in waterproof linen cushions in warm beige ($85 from Pottery Barn). There’s hidden storage underneath for all of the large bags of food. The shelves on either side of the bench (36″ tall and painted Benjamin Moore Gray Owl) are home to leashes, treats in mason jars, and even a gallery of dog portraits. The striped dog beds ($42 each) fit perfectly into the cubbies below the bench. I made cushion tops for the Kallax units using dog pillows from IKEA. Total cost to build this for us was $680. Of course you could do it for a lot less by purchasing IKEA Kallax units and making the cushion tops yourself.
The genius lives in daily flow: Hanging leashes on hooks above the door after evening walks so we never have to hunt for them again. Being able to grab everything I need in 30 seconds. The raised floor keeps the dogs off the cold floor while I towel them down.
You can also pick up some of these 12 Best Dog Gift Ideas: Top Picks for Every Pooch to fill your shelves. I painted the back panel a fun navy for contrast without adding more stuff.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @life.in.corner.cottage
Quick-Start Mudroom Kit
Not quite ready to take the plunge and gut your entry? Start with these 5 game-changers that will transform your entry in an afternoon.
Keep Your Dog Mudroom Fresh (Weekly 10-Minute Routine)
Even the best mudroom needs a little maintenance from time to time. Every Sunday, take 10 minutes to run through this routine to help keep the mudroom organized.
- Shake out your Waterproof Dog Mat outdoors and spray with pet-safe cleaner—air dry for 20 minutes
- Wash your Microfiber Dog Towels (pro tip: skip fabric softener—it reduces absorbency by 40%)
- Wipe down tile and sealed surfaces with diluted vinegar solution—a natural deodorizer that won’t harm paws
- Check Storage Baskets for treat crumbs that attract pests—vacuum or shake them out
- Reorganize leashes and collars on hooks so you can grab and go whenever you need to
I’m not sure if this happens to you, but sometimes when it’s raining a lot I feel like my mudroom gets out of control. It’s one of those spots that you dread walking into when you come home after a rainy walk. Instead, keeping things simple in a weekly ten-minute reset keeps your mudroom functional and Instagram worthy all year long.
Your Dream Dog-Friendly Home Starts Here
Inspired? We’ve got some fabulous mudroom ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Pin your favorites to your home board and start planning which features work best in your mudroom.
If you have the luxury of more space, we’ve rounded up some more best dog backyard ideas for you to take your pets zone even further outside. Or if you’re a new dog parent, we’ve got a round-up of dog name ideas guide to help you find your new furry friend a moniker. Looking for something a little more special? We’ve got some dog wedding ideas to help include your pup in all the celebrations.
Your home can be stylish and tail wagging. Which mudroom feature are you adding first — the paw washing station or the built-in food bowls?
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
