Whether in the form of a spacious utility room or a bijoux narrow hallway, here’s how to plan a stylish boot room for the muddy boot season.
While autumn promises crisp chilly days and the cocooning loveliness of our softest woollies, we are certain to be treated to our fair share of damp and drizzly days too. Our jumpers will be accessorised with dripping waterproofs and drying paws can become a full-time job for dog owners. This is the season when the boot room comes into its own. Follow our guide to planning a stylish boot room, whether in the form of a spacious utility room or a bijoux narrow hallway, for a serene, uncluttered welcome.
Get organised with our small boot room ideas
Organisation is key in a small boot room – having a place for everything will allow you to preserve a tranquil entranceway to your home even on the busiest days. Allocate space for the essentials - coat hooks or a rack, shoe storage and a small shelf space for resting keys, phones etc while you cast off your outdoor shoes. Keep on top of crowding by curating your coat pegs by season – pack away anything that won’t be used for the next six months like sunhats and flip flops. Look for a versatile coat rack that includes a shelf and mirror as well as pegs. Large old school double coat hooks are great for decluttering your space because they will hold multiple items.
Tidy away the footwear with these shoe storage ideas for boot rooms
Shoes have a tendency to reproduce and can quickly spread to fill all the available floor space. Cubby hole style shoe storage is perfect for marshalling school shoes, trainers and walking boots. Wooden shoe storage adds warm style in any setting or try a wire shoe rack for a light industrial look. Shoe racks for small spaces might be integrated into a coat rack. Where space is tight, a welly boot rack outside the door or just inside a porch is a space-saving way to keep the worst of the mud from your floors without detracting from your home’s kerb appeal.
Use rich colours for a welcoming mood
We all want a warm welcome home, especially in the colder months. Choosing a darker paint shade for the lower half when decorating your boot room walls is a practical choice for dog lovers and will also create a cosy appeal. Preserve wallpaper in hallways by papering above the dado rail, for a classic look that is staging a come-back. Half panelled walls will create a lovely Hamptons style hallway that is easy to wipe down. Our Kit Green is a rich earthy tone that blends perfectly with rattan and natural woods or bold metals for a timeless look. Marry darker shades with considered lighting choices for a comforting glow and introduce a statement mirror and wall art to draw the eye upwards and prompt the illusion of space.
Introduce scent and atmosphere
Introduce subtle scents to your boot room to counteract any lingering aromas from drying clothes. Boot rooms are the ideal space for pet beds, especially for hairy pups that take a while to dry – introduce diffusers or candles with citrus notes such as lemongrass or orange to freshen the air. Lavender and rosemary will create a classic and relaxed welcome or opt for the spicy and musky tones of patchouli or even calming frankincense as the season progresses.
Explore more boot room ideas
For those with the luxury of a more expansive boot room, it’s still important that the room is well planned to prevent it from becoming a dumping ground. If your boot room also incorporates your laundry space, include wall-mounted hooks and lots of baskets for storing detergents. A freestanding clothes rail will be a welcome touch when ironing.
Open shelving is perfect for boot room storage. Add storage baskets to make everything from pegs and seed packets to dog treats and secateurs easily accessible. Outdoor soft textiles such as cushions and rugs can also be kept here overnight, ready to whip out at the first sign of dry weather.
Bench seating is perfect for boot rooms and complement a good doormat for wiping feet with a more welcoming runner or warm rug to comfort cold toes.
Feeling the autumnal mood? Browse our new season collection
and introduce warming layers for a cosy seasonal home.