Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/63981
live at home The Landing Zone Pictures make it look so easy—a tidy entry with everything hanging in a row, no mit- ten out of place or stray shoe waiting to be tripped over. But take the photo above, and add one busy mom, a few active kids, maybe a pet, a spouse and any number of trips in and out the door, and you've got, well, chaos. Many homeowners are getting a helping hand from the hardest-working room in the house: the mudroom. The idea isn't new—the mudroom has More than a place to wipe your feet and drop excess baggage, today's homeowners are planning entryways that let them breathe raise are especially good for kids, and full- extension baskets are great for hats and mittens because they can air dry," Falci says. Add a bench space for slipping shoes on and off, and you've got a space where your baggage is finally welcome. long played a role in family life as a place to drop muddy boots. While today is no dif- ferent, the look of these spaces certainly is. "The nice thing about [organization op- tions today] is they're flexible to change with you and accommodate what you need," says Sara Falci, owner and design consultant of Closets by Techline. Whether you have a dedicated room off The trend: Creating easy and stylish stor- age solutions with a dedicated place to organize the daily essentials. Best for: Anyone. In a home, condo or apartment, entryway and mudroom so- lutions help families corral clutter while similar closet and kitchen organization systems work for households of one or 10. the garage or create space in an entryway, Falci recommends looking for options that can change with your family, such as or- ganizational systems that offer a built-in look and can be customized to your space in different sizes, heights and hues. "Additions like hooks that can lower or 20 BRAVA Magazine March 2012 The cost: Varies greatly depending on the size of your space and needs. Most area outlets offer in-home consultations to price out your particular project. Pictured: Mudroom by Schwingle Builders and Closets by Techline. Visit Closets by Techline at closetsbytechline.com or (608) 238-6862. Beauty From the Outside In Madison Area Builders Association's annual Home Products Show returns March 2-4 It may be a small upgrade in the kitchen or a fresh addition to your landscape, or maybe a new roof or an entire overhaul in the basement— whatever your home needs to grow, you'll find local resources at the annual Home Products Show presented by the Madison Area Builders Association. When: Friday, 2-8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison Don't miss: Dozens of free seminars from the pros on Saturday and Sunday will offer tips on everything from home building to home interiors. Information: Visit maba.org Photo by Shanna Wolf