The mudroom, or entrance room, in your house is one of most useful rooms in your house. It is the space to store your outdoor clothes and shoes. A quality built-in locker does just that. It keeps everything organized, and offers a place to sit and change. The built-in look will also make an impression on visitors as well.
The Design
The design of this project includes upper cabinets, a bench chest, a back, and two dividers. The upper cabinets are built just like standard kitchen cabinets. You can look at other threads on Hingmy for help with cabinet building.
The bench is attached to the wall. This makes swiping the floor easier, which is a frequent task in a mudroom. There are no corners to bump into. The bench doubles as a chest for oversize sports equipment and other bulk items. The back of the locker hosts a row of coat hangers. It is the focal point of the piece. Rail and stile construction create a visual interest here.
The cabinet top and the bench are connected by a divider on each end. These dividers keep clothes contained and create the locker room feeling. They are not load-bearing. The bench and upper cabinets are securely attached to the wall.
The bench needs to be bolted to the wall to support the weight of two full grown adults. Bolts are required; screws just won't do. The wall may have to be reinforced to support the weight, which was done for this project. Two adults sitting on this the bench can weigh 400lbs.
Painting
The project is finished with white paint. Lockers take a beating. Paint is the sensible choice for this environment. It wears well, provides excellent moisture protection, and dings can be fixed without having to redo several layers of finish.
Summary
A good locker in the mudroom will help to de-clutter the front of the house. Your kids will want to use, because it is convenient. It's much easier to put on shoes while sitting. Your coats will be within arms reach. A well designed piece of furniture makes your life better without requiring you to do extra work. A locker in the mudroom is one useful piece of furniture.
