Episode 2 – Declutter Your Mudroom

Mudroom closets are one of the hardest-working spaces in a home — and also one of the easiest to overlook. Between coats, shoes, purses, backpacks, and sports gear, this little spot can turn into a cluttered drop zone before you know it.

As a professional organizer in Wilmington, NC, I recently transformed our family’s mudroom closet from crowded and chaotic to organized and functional. The structure existed, but through the summer months things got a little out of control. The timing couldn’t have been better — with back-to-school season here, this refresh has set us up for success in the coming weeks.

In this blog post (and the YouTube video below), you’ll see the before, during, and after of this real-life project, plus my tips for creating a system that works all year long.

Step 1: Empty & Assess the Space

The first step in any organizing project is to take everything out. This lets you see what you really have and gives you a clean slate. In this closet, we found a mix of everyday essentials and things that had been forgotten — a common problem in high-traffic storage spaces.

Step 2: Declutter with Purpose

We sorted every item into:

  • Keep – regularly used and in good condition

  • Donate – still useful but no longer needed

  • Trash – worn out or broken

  • Relocate – belongs somewhere else in the house

Decluttering this way ensures that only items that truly serve our family’s daily routine make it back into the closet. This is especially important at this time of year, when busy schedules mean you don’t have time to dig through unnecessary clutter.

Step 3: Create Categories for Easy Access

We set up simple, clear zones for:

  • Outerwear

  • Footwear

  • Sports gear

  • Grab-and-go accessories like hats and umbrellas

  • Backpacks and lunch boxes (seasonal necessity!)

As a home organizer, I aim to make it quick to grab what you need and just as easy to put it away — whether it’s a school morning or a Saturday soccer game.

Step 4: Choose the Right Organizing Tools

For this project, we used:

  • Labeled baskets for smaller accessories

  • Bins for sports and outdoor equipment

  • Cubed storage for shoes

  • Hooks for bags and backpacks

These tools keep the system simple and sustainable, so it works year-round.

Step 5: The Big Reveal

The final result is a functional, clutter-free mudroom closet where every item has a home. We can now get out the door faster, whether we are headed to work, school, or the beach.

🎥 Watch the full transformation in my YouTube video below to see how I took this closet from chaos to calm:

Need Help Decluttering Your Own Space?

If you’re in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Leland, NC, or the surrounding area, I’d love to help you create spaces that work for your lifestyle. From mudroom closets to full-home decluttering, Simple Spaces specializes in transforming chaos into calm.

📅 Book your organizing session today → Book Here

Happy Organizing,

~Melissa