
A mudroom is an entryway or small room in a house where people can remove their muddy wet shoes and clothing before entering the main living area.
These rooms are often located near the backdoor or garage and generally have a floor—such as a tile or linoleum—that’s easy to clean.
Painting a mudroom with the right colors can help to make this space more functional and inviting by hiding the dirt and keeping your space looking clean.
So, with that in mind, I have created the following paint color ideas that will help to get the most out of your colorful mudroom. Later in the article, I will also discuss a few color options you should avoid in this high-traffic space.
Let’s get started by learning a bit more about modern mud rooms…
Mudroom Uses and Sizes
Mudrooms often have storage options, such as hooks or shelves, for storing outdoor gear.
By providing a place for people to leave their dirty shoes and clothes, these rooms can help to keep the rest of the house clean.
In colder climates, mudrooms can also be used as a transition space for people coming in from the cold, allowing them to warm up before entering the main living area.
Most mudrooms are either 6′ x 6′ or 8′ x 8′ (at least 5′ wide), although the size varies.
To get an idea of how wide yours should be, consider that the average hallway is 3′. That leaves you with 2′, which should give you enough room for a bench or built-in storage.
Mudroom Paint Color Ideas to Hide Dirt
Often mudrooms are neglected when it comes to design, renovation, and repainting.
when it comes to repainting, it’s essential to use durable paint colors that can withstand abuse and hide debris that comes from a lot of dirt and traffic in mudrooms.
So, here are the best paint colors to help you get started with redecorating this space…
1- Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray
For a reason, a neutral gray like Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray is a classic option- it works with any style and hides dirt well in any room, including the mud room.
If you layer light grays or whites with this shade, you can create a minimalistic mudroom that will make rain boots pop.
Not only for cabinets, cupboards, cubbies, and walls, but you can also use the gray on furniture like an entryway table to make a chic vignette.
Benjamin Moore’s Stormy Monday is another excellent gray with blue undertones that can be tried if you don’t like Chelsea Gray. It’s a bit cozier and inviting.
2- Farrow and Ball Cornforth White
If you need an uplifting space, a too-dark mudroom will only worsen your mood.
Farrow & Ball is a brand known for its beautiful, timeless colors – and its Cornforth White is one of the best and lightest options for mudrooms.
This warm white has a greige undertone that will make your mudroom feel cozy without being too dark.
You can also mix Cornforth White with other colors from Farrow & Ball’s Off-White collection, such as Arsenic or Matchstick, if you want more than two shades in your room.
3- Benjamin Moore Beach Glass
Drawn to the look of grey but want something with more pizazz? Consider Benjamin Moore’s Beach Glass.
It’s a refreshing watery green with understated gray tones that can turn your dreary mudroom into a winter oasis.
To make the most out of this soft hue, use white beadboard or trim along with some generous light-colored accents.
4- Sherwin-Williams Anjou Pear
Sherwin-Williams’ Anjou Pear is a contemporary gold tone with fruity undertones that would add warmth to any mudroom in those cold months when your wet, snowy boots are in need of drying.
This color is saturated, bright, and sunny, which recalls warm summer days – it’s perfect for boosting your mood on even the dullest days.
With this classic muted yellow color option, you can also use the strokes of black accents to create a timeless mudroom that will make you smile every time you see it.
5- Sherwin-Williams Balanced Beige
Maintaining the same range of hues throughout your home and in your mudroom is perfectly fine. And that’s the reason I think beige is an excellent universal color for nearly every mudroom, whether small or large.
This Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige is deep enough to disguise dirt and smudges while still being light enough to keep the space from feeling like a garage.
The best part is it pairs handsomely with grays, blues, or whites – making it a versatile color for any size or shape of the mudroom. The property of the shade easily creates a calmer, more subtle environment that attracts relatively less dirt.
6- Behr Waterscape Gorgeous Blue
This gorgeous blue from Behr comes with a pop of bright color.
But still, it’s a very neutral tone, so you can use it to create any type of mudroom aesthetic you want. This blue is also perfect for nautical-themed mudrooms or any space near the ocean.
Farrow & Ball pigeon is another deep, inky blue I like most. You can check this out if you want something more appealing.
7- PPG Pittsburgh Paints Warm Up
Warm Up by PPG Pittsburgh Paints is a rich, subdued orange with a taupe undertone. This warm sunshine paint color would be perfect for an inviting front door when paired with lighter cream trim to complete the look.
You can use this color as an assent for decorating cubbies and lockers or adding an area rug to your mudroom.

Paint Colors You Should Avoid in a Mudroom
The colors you should generally avoid in the first room, foyer, and entryway of your home are those that create a dull impression and attract visible dirt.
Glossy white is one such paint color because it reflects every bit of light, making the space feel larger.
While this is good for small mudrooms, the trade-off is that it also reveals every imperfection.
That’s why I don’t recommend using any high-gloss paint in a mudroom unless you’re prepared to keep it clean at all times.
Another color to avoid is anything too dark, such as brown, black, or charcoal.
While these colors can make a mudroom feel cozy, they absorb light, making the space smaller. And if you have a small mudroom, to begin with, you don’t want to make it feel even smaller.
Finally, avoid using bright, vivid colors such as red, mustard yellow, or lime green in a mudroom. While these colors can add personality to the space, they’re more likely to show dirt and stains.
And let’s be honest, a mudroom is where you’re going to get dirty, so you don’t want to make it harder to keep clean.
A Few Additional Mudroom Organization and Storage Ideas
Contemporary mudrooms are not only functional and stylish but also are designed keeping in mind the budget.
To ensure a clutter-free space, you can start by assigning each family member their own designated storage area in the room.
Benches, built-in cubbies, wooden crates, old garment racks, a shoe rack, etc., are some of the storage ideas you can use in your mudroom.
You can also install lockers for storing sports gear, backpacks, coats, and other essential items.
Incorporating adjustable hooks, wall-mounted organizers, wicker baskets, and closed cabinets with shelves will also help to keep your mudroom neat and free from clutter.
You can use these visually appealing storage solutions to store frequently used items such as books, magazines, shoes, jackets, car keys, pet stuff, and kids’ toys.
The Bottom Line
Mudrooms are gaining popularity as a must-have in modern homes, so your color choices in this space matter greatly.
When choosing paint colors for your mudroom, consider using a light, neutral color like flat white, gray, and beige to make the space feel larger and more forgiving when it comes to dirt and stains.
Even on the rainiest and snowiest days, shades like these can help bring a sense of calm and serenity to this often chaotic space.
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Jack Luis is a semi-retired painter who loved painting his clients’ ideas on their walls.
He had worked as a painter for over a decade serving customers in areas such as Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Beaufort, and Georgetown, SC (South Carolina). Today in his free time, he likes to read and write about the newer techniques implemented in his profession. You may read more about him here or get in touch with him here.