How To Design The Perfect Boot Room

Perhaps the most crucial part of any handsome home in the countryside? A boot room, of course. Here’s how to design your dream boot room, courtesy of the experts at Joules.

How To Design A Boot Room

Split Up Your Storage

Whether you think of it as a boot room, a mud room or a utility room, this particular area of the house will be largely dedicated to shoes, coats and other outdoor gear. So, to keep it all looking tidy, you’ll want to create dedicated storage for different items.

‘When storing various shoes, think about function and aesthetics,’ advises Lior Kahana, Joules’ interior design expert. ‘Taller cubbies work perfectly for boots – allowing them to stand upright without creasing – while shorter compartments are ideal for trainers. Incorporating bins or baskets for smaller items like children’s footwear keeps things tidy while adding texture and personality to the space.’

When it comes to finishes, meanwhile, there are plenty of options to choose from. ‘To create a polished look, align your materials with the style of the room,’ says Lior. ‘Wood can add warmth and a rustic touch whereas metal can create a more sleek and modern vibe. Built-in lighting will also elevate the design and can showcase the shoes while making the space feel more curated.’

Match The Colour Palette To The Rest Of Your Home

Speaking of colours and finishes, take your design cues from the rest of your home.

‘Use tones and shades already present in your home to create harmony,’ suggests Lior. ‘If your house leans toward a neutral palette, for example, stick with soft beige or white, but add a darker tone to the floor or for a visual boundary. If your home is more colourful, incorporate subtle accents in the boot room that tie in those tones, like a matching rug or painted hooks.’

Don’t forget about smaller personal additions, too: ‘Decorative touches like framed prints or a stylish mirror can soften the space and make it feel more intentional,’ Lior adds.

Harvey Maria

Make Use Of Wall Space

Back to storage, and Lior recommends making use of as much wall space as you can. ‘Think vertically: walls are underused real estate in most spaces,’ she states. ‘Install hooks for coats and bags and add wall-mounted shelves for shoes, hats, and gloves. A bench with built-in storage works well, giving you a place to sit while taking off boots as well as a spot to stash things underneath.’

Every nook and cranny is fair game when it comes to a boot room – so don’t forget the corners, either. ‘Corner shelves or hooks can make use of those awkward spaces,’ says Lior. ‘The key is keeping things off the floor and making sure there’s a designated spot for everything.’

Create A Storage System

Once you’ve sorted your storage, think about creating a careful system. This includes labelling shelves and baskets, as well as organising your space according to the items you reach for the most.

‘Baskets hide the chaos while making you look effortlessly organised,’ says Magda Callery, another interiors expert from Joules. ‘Label seasonal items in clear bins – these are perfect for keeping everything clearly visible, and any kind of stackable container will maximise storage.’

‘Think about placement, too,’ adds Lior. ‘Keep the things you use most often at eye level for easy access, and position less-used items higher up. Sticking to a simple colour palette, like neutral tones with one accent colour, will help everything feel cohesive and intentional.’

Zone The Room

A boot room might be designed to get messy, but that doesn’t mean it has to look messy. The key? Creating distinct zones.

‘Start outside with a heavy-duty mat or boot scraper for the dirt before it comes inside,’ advises Lior. ‘Add a washable drainage mat, boot tray or even a mud-catching grate near the door, and use a boot tray or raised rack inside the room to keep wet footwear off the floor.’

After you’ve decided on your designated muddy area, you can create a separate section to keep the mess contained. ‘A rug or different flooring type will signal a transition to the clean area of your boot room, giving everyone a visual cue to switch modes (and shoes),’ says Lior. ‘Colour code each space, using darker tones to signal the dirty zone and light in the clean area to create a sense of order.’

‘Let the “muddy zone” near the door handle the mess, while the “clean zone” gets the VIP treatment with soft rugs and baskets for dry items,’ adds Magda. ‘Use tile in the muddy area and something cosier in the clean zone if possible – it’s like a red carpet transition for your shoes.’

Design With Cleanliness In Mind

Zoning might be crucial, but your floors and materials need to be durable, too.

‘Choose waterproof flooring like tiles or vinyl: these are your best friends when it comes to mud,’ says Magda. ‘Opt for washable walls, as they’re super easy to clean – a quick swipe of a damp cloth on wainscoting or semi-gloss paint and they’re back to looking spotless.’

‘Furniture should be practical and low-maintenance,’ Lior states. ‘Smooth, non-porous finishes are best for resisting dirt and moisture. A good design here isn’t just about looks; it’s about making your life easier. Adding washable runners in high-traffic areas provides an extra layer of protection, for example.’

Make Use Of Heat Sources

So, you’ve made sure your room is organised and your dirty kit is carefully packed away – but what happens if you need somewhere to dry it out after a rainy stroll?

‘If you’re willing to invest a little more, heated boot racks are a fantastic addition to a boot room,’ says Lior. They’re practical, but they also add a little luxury to the space.’

If you’re decorating on a budget, however, forgo heated racks for simple shelving. ‘Slatted shelves near a heat source can work well – just add a drip tray underneath to catch the water,’ Lior advises. ‘Back-of-the-door racks are a good option for smaller spaces, using another vertical area that might otherwise go unused.’

Don’t Forget Ventilation

If you do find yourself regularly drying out muddy clothes in your boot room, ventilation is key.

‘When designing a new boot room, incorporate a window to encourage natural airflow – it’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep the area fresh,’ Lior explains. ‘Opt for open cubbies to allow air to circulate the shoes, and add a dehumidifier or a small air freshener to help manage moisture and smells.’

‘A quick fix is a charcoal bag or a bowl of baking soda,’ suggests Magda. ‘For a long term solution, install a small extractor fan to keep the air fresh.’

Bring The Outdoors In

The finishing touch to an elegant boot room? A bit of greenery.

‘Plants are a great way to bring life and warmth to a boot room, but choose the right ones,’ says Lior. ‘Hardy varieties like snake plants, pothos, or peace lilies can handle fluctuating conditions, while wall-mounted planters and small pots are ideal for keeping greenery off the floor and out of the way. If your boot room lacks natural light, realistic faux plants offer the same visual charm without the upkeep.’