I’m happy to announce the winner of the Wall Board Hanging giveaway from All About Pallets: Janie, comment number 368. I’ll be contacting you shortly for your mailing address and Wall Board preference. Thanks to everyone who entered and for the wonderful feedback!
Today I’m launching a new occasional feature on this blog: The Weekend Report. When I first started blogging four years ago, I often included family stories, funny moments and personal asides alongside recipes. Over time I scaled back those tangents and I miss them. I catch myself thinking, “My readers would love this!” or “I need to tell people about the Vegetable Straws—35 straws and only 130 calories!” or “Look at these great shoe cabinets from IKEA!” But most of those finds don’t naturally fit into a recipe post about Crispy Coconut Chicken. So, starting now I’ll use The Weekend Report—usually on Saturdays—to share personal stories, neat finds, thoughts, deals and handy gadgets. If you only want recipes, no worries—come back on weekdays for more dishes. These posts are just a blank page where I can share more of life’s little things.
To kick things off, this week I’m showing the fantastic shoe cabinets we found at IKEA and how they became the heart of our mudroom makeover. First, a little background: a few months ago our mudroom was an absolute mess. Shoes were strewn across the floor, dirty laundry piled in the corner, and everyone’s stuff was crammed onto a skinny shelf that ran the length of the wall. It was an eyesore and a tripping hazard—I probably stumbled over dozens of shoes every time I headed to the washer and dryer. Clearly, we needed a change.
My husband removed the thin shelf and installed cabinetry instead. Keeping clutter tucked away inside cabinets instead of left in plain sight has a surprising effect on one’s peace of mind. The box-style shelving we chose came from IKEA in a variety of sizes and with many attractive bins to fit inside. We selected white canvas and wicker baskets to keep things tidy and visually calm. These storage cubes work great for many purposes.
One cube holds my Primary lesson materials. I teach an eight-year-old Sunday class and having everything in one place has saved me from frantic searching on busy mornings.
Another cube stores library books. Having a single, consistent spot for books has likely rescued me from a few late fees—small victories count.
And of course we dedicated spaces for shoes. Every family member now has a designated spot, so I can walk to the washer without playing hopscotch around footwear. That alone was worth the project.
IKEA also makes slim shoe cabinets designed specifically for footwear. They stick out only about 6½ inches from the wall, so they fit into narrow spaces and are perfect when you need storage without bulk.
They open easily and keep shoes hidden and organized—much nicer than a pile by the door.
We also added a small bench with soft red cushions from IKEA so everyone has a comfortable place to sit while putting on shoes. It’s a small touch that makes the space feel welcoming.
I picked the red wallpaper even though my kids teased me—“Mom, you’re turning the house into a grandma house!” they said. I like it, and since I spend a lot of time in the mudroom sorting laundry and getting shoes organized, I felt justified in my choice. Maybe someday I will be a grandma and then it will be perfect.
The makeover made a big difference. My mudroom is now organized, functional and pleasant to be in — which makes life a little easier. If only folding that laundry were as satisfying as organizing the room itself.