A few days ago I mentioned I built a mudroom wall using plans from Ana White’s building plans website.

I thought I would elaborate on what I did to modify the plans to fit our needs.

I used the “Smiling Mudroom” plans, and the result definitely makes me smile.  It’s just what we will need with three in school next year to get everyone organized and ready to roll amidst the morning mayhem.  With three separate cubbies, one for each child, with baskets up top for hats, gloves, and scarves; baskets down for shoes and boots, plus three pegs in the middle per cubby for backpacks and coats, it covers all the bases.

I made a few changes.  I wanted it to be modular.  Instead of attaching the upper shelf to the center dividers and attaching the center dividers to the lower bench, each of the three elements is separate.  I may have to replace the flooring beneath the unit (termites!) so I wanted it to be easy to move.

Secondly, for more stability for the upper shelf, I notched out the back for a continuous 1×4 all along the upper back of the upper shelf unit.  It also serves as a cleat into which I screwed the shelf into the wall studs.

Another alteration was to make a divider for each side, even the side against the wall. I like the symmetry and the stability.

I also notched out each of the dividers at the location of the peg/hook blocking.  Instead of cutting separate 1×3 blocking pieces, I used one continuous 1×4 which screwed to the dividers at the proper spacing at the corresponding notches..  This makes the divider section a separate, independently moveable unit which rests on top of the bench.

Instead of metal hooks, I used wooden shaker pegs.

According to one of Ana’s suggestions, I made the bottom trim on the upper shelf flush with the edge of the shelf so baskets slide out easily.

Great plans, cute and very functional design, easily customizable for different spaces and needs.