How Grayish Gave This Hardworking Mudroom a Whole New Look
One cool, chameleon-like shade.
A walk-through mudroom has a big job to do. It’s the place where everyone comes and goes, shoes pile up, bags get dropped and two kids and two dogs inevitably leave their mark. For Michelle Pulman of @girlonthehudson, this hardworking space had plenty of potential, but the mix of neutral paint, wallpaper and open storage never quite felt right. The solution? Paint the whole thing one color.
For this gray entryway makeover, Michelle chose Grayish, a cool, versatile gray-green that brought a sense of calm and cohesion to the busy space.
The Case for Going All-In on Color
Michelle’s home is an open-concept new build that she’s been gradually making her own with paint, wallpaper, millwork and small renovations. Her style doesn’t fit neatly into one category (it shifts between modern coastal and transitional) but one thing remains consistent: every space needs to feel welcoming, personal and ready to be lived in. The mudroom was no exception.
The space already had custom millwork, cabinet doors and lower drawers for storage, but the previous combination of neutral paint and wallpaper felt a little too busy. Michelle knew she wanted to simplify the room by removing the wallpaper and painting the walls, trim, doors and built-ins all one color.
Before
After
“I wanted a cool color that would coordinate with the rest of our first floor,” she says. With nearby spaces featuring blues, grays and greens, a cooler shade felt like the natural fit.
After sampling plenty of options, Grayish was the clear winner.
Why Grayish Works in a Low-Light Space
The mudroom doesn’t get a ton of natural light, so Michelle wanted a color that would feel light and airy rather than heavy or overly dark. Grayish turned out to be exactly that and then some.
One of the reasons she loves the shade is its ability to shift throughout the day. “In the early morning, it appears a true light gray, by mid-day it’s a brighter green/gray and in the evening it leans slightly more green,” Michelle explains.
That color-changing quality helps the mudroom connect naturally to the cooler tones throughout the first floor, while giving the space its own personality. It’s also a great reminder that paint color doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The amount and direction of natural light, surrounding colors and even the time of day can all affect how a shade looks on your walls. That’s why swatching before committing is always worth it, especially in a space with limited light.
From Busy to Calm
The biggest transformation wasn’t necessarily about making the mudroom look dramatically different. It was about making it feel different. Now, the space feels calm, cohesive and polished, exactly what Michelle wanted from a room that’s constantly in use.
“Our mudroom finally feels calm,” she says. “It’s such a busy space that we’re in and out of all day but the color is soothing and neutral.”
Painting everything in the same shade also created an unexpectedly seamless look. Michelle painted previously white interior doors, including the garage door and powder room door, which helped tie the entire space together. “I love how the space looks and feels brand new, especially the doors!”
Sometimes, the smallest paint decision, like extending your wall color onto a door, can make the biggest visual difference.
A Few Finishing Touches
Once the paint was in place, a few small updates helped complete the transformation. Michelle swapped the built-in hardware, doorknobs and hinges from matte black to brushed brass. Against Grayish, the warmer metallic finish adds just enough contrast without competing with the color. She’s also considering a darker fabric for the bench cushion and a slightly smaller piece of artwork for the wall.
The takeaway? You don’t need to redo an entire room to make it feel new. A fresh color can create the foundation, then a few thoughtful swaps can bring everything together.
A DIY Anyone Can Do
This project was also a first for Michelle: it was the first time she painted an entire room on her own. The result? A two-day DIY that was far easier and more rewarding than she expected.
For the application, she used a roller on both the walls and built-in, with a brush for cutting into the corners and painting the grooves in the beadboard.
If you’re considering your own mudroom or entryway refresh, her approach is a good one to borrow: simplify the palette, sample your contenders and don’t be afraid to paint more than just the walls.
A busy pass-through space doesn’t have to feel chaotic. In fact, one well-chosen color can make a hardworking room feel surprisingly serene. For your own gray entryway makeover, start by looking at the colors already happening nearby. Choose a shade that complements the rest of your home, then sample it in the actual space and watch how it changes from morning to evening.
And if you really want to create a cohesive look? Take Michelle’s lead and paint the walls, trim, doors and built-ins together. You might be surprised by just how much a single color can transform your space.
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