I think I may be one of the only people who dreams of one day having a mudroom. My husband and I currently live in a two-bedroom Vancouver apartment with a duck tolling retriever that loves to be outside. And right now, we’re smack dab in the middle of the season that has us caking our shoes (or in Tali’s case, paws) in dirt and dripping water on the floor—and we haven’t even gotten snow yet!

In a perfect world, I’d have a proper place to hang our sopping wet coats and to dry off the dog (we’re always one poorly timed shake away from cleaning the walls in our narrow hallway). But this isn’t a perfect world, and I simply don’t have the space. So I guess I’ll just look at these gorgeous mudrooms from the WL archives instead.

Photo: HGTV Canada

Gimme Chore

Whoever said household chores were boring clearly never met Pamela Anderson. The actress and self-proclaimed domestic goddess told interior designer Francesca Albertazzi that she loves ironing while listening to records and drinking a glass of rosé. We can totally picture ourselves doing the same in this charming mudroom, located in the basement of Anderson’s Ladysmith, B.C. home. See the rest of this home’s whimsical, “Funky Grandma” style.

Photo: Ema Peter

Outside In

The owners of this Vancouver Island home wanted their residence to be an extension of the beach—and designers Chad Falkenberg and Kelly Reynolds of Falken Reynolds delivered. They used concrete that matches the shade of Pacific Northwest sands, hemlock that mimics sun-bleached logs and lots of windows that let the light in. Not even the mudroom was overlooked, as evidenced by the floors, bench and skylight. Tour this minimalist oceanfront retreat.

Photo: Janis Nicolay

Cabin Fever

It’s hard to believe that this clean space is in a Whistler home. Where are the skis, helmets, jackets, scarves and mitts?! Designer Erica Colpitts wanted to ensure that the mudroom didn’t feel like a locker room during the off season, so she hid a boot dryer beneath the reclaimed white oak bench and installed 24 discrete hooks. Come winter, it’ll be filled with all the gear—but for now, it has a neat-and-tidy vibe. Step inside this rustic-chic cabin.

Photo: Ema Peter

Clothes Peg

Every part of this modern home, from the pixel-perfect shingle siding to the flipped layout, is intended to challenge your ideas of what a house is meant to be. The “mudroom” (okay, you caught us… entryway) is no exception. Instead of a built-in storage solution, Clinton Cuddington of Measured Architecture opted for a peg wall that puts jackets and bags on full display. Explore more of this East Vancouver home.

Photo: Giorgio Locatelli

Back in Black

This Coquitlam home was in desperate need of a renation. As designer Katie Maudsley put it: “There were lots of 45-degree walls. The main powder room door hit the toilet. The mudroom was just unusable.” Today, that mudroom is modern—and way, way more functional. Black cabinets keep most coats, accessories and shoes hidden while a chevron-patterned tile lends a touch of playfulness to the space. See the rest of this home makeover.

Photo: Janis Nicolay

Muddy Marvelous

A storage-heavy mudroom is essential for a family with seven-year-old twins—especially when those twins are really into sports and swimming at the beach (“you know, all the things that require space and gear and different shoes,” says designer Denise Ashmore). She added plenty of shelves and cupboards so that it’s just as easy to pull everything out as it is to tidy it all away. Check out the rest of this renovation.

Photo: Genevieve Renee

Going Coastal

When the owners of this Calgary home decided to complete their basement, a mudroom was put at the top of their wishlist. But Louis Duncan-He was determined not to let function trump style. Since his clients asked for a “a very California-chic, Pacific Coast natural feel,” the designer outfitted this space with light-blue cabinetry, shiplap walls and a white oak bench. See more of this beautiful basement.