As the weather transitions from winter to spring, we’ll be spending more time going in and out of our homes here in Minnesota, giving that main door (and your mudroom) an extra big workout! Make that first step into your home a relaxing one.Here’s our inspiration for creating a mudroom that stands out as chic, rather than chaotic:--Hooks and a bench are a must! Easy to reach, and easy to see, utilizing a wall of hooks keeps coats and bags dry and off the ground. A bench allows a convenient place to take shoes on and off or drop the groceries.
--Treat your mudroom like a real room. Including pillows or other accents gives it a homey feel right off the bat.
--Using a dark floor in the mudroom adds a nice contrast to bright walls and helps hide the appearance of mud and dirt. And to keep things extra tidy, use storage bins both in cubbies and on the floor for easy organization that you actually keep up on.
--Design a mudroom that doubles as a home office, storage space, craft room, or more. Make great use of the square footage you have by creating a space where you can sort the mail and hide that off-season sports equipment too.
--Get a little creative. Hanging artwork, selecting unique wallpaper, using pretty chairs, adding flowers, and creating a chalkboard space are all ways to give your mudroom a creative boost!
--Don't be afraid to go against the grain. Using unevenly spaced hooks in bright colors or a sliding barn door to separate your mudroom from the rest of your home might not be conventional, but it can make your space just a little bit cooler than everyone else's.
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What architectural details will give your home the ambiance you want? Adding crown moulding, a vaulted ceiling, skylights, sliding barn doors, or unique lighting fixtures are a big part of what gives a living room its style, even before the decor has been brought in. Consider these factors as you're building or remodeling your home.
What do you want the living room to be used for? Entertaining, reading, watching TV, or enjoying your family are all common living room activities. Make this your starting point as you decide how to design the room, and as you select furniture. A room for entertaining may have more seating and more side tables for instance, whereas a room intended more for reading and lounging will make space for a bookcase.
What do you want the focal point of the room to be? Is it the TV? The fireplace? An art piece? Since you've already spent time thinking about what the room will be used for, select a focal point that aligns with that. Then determine your decor and layout around this.
Do you want the room to have a relaxing vibe or a more formal feel? Select furniture pieces (& architectural elements) that reflect this, and they'll impact your room in a big way. Even your use of accessories can impact how welcoming or utilitarian your room feels.
At REFINED, understanding how you plan to use your home -- and how you want it to look and feel -- are intrical parts of our design process. Each home building experience is custom tailored to you, from the structure to the final decor. Interested in building or remodeling a home in the Edina or Minneapolis area? 
For directions to our two Spring Parade entries, as well as more info on the Twin Cities Spring Parade of Homes 2015, click