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How I built my Hamptons-inspired hallway storage

Built‑in mudroom bench with storage baskets, timber seat and a plant beside it.
Discover how Codey Anderson from Coffs Harbour transformed a cluttered entryway into a stylish, Hamptons-inspired space with clever storage and a custom bench seat. This affordable D.I.Y. project blends shaker-style details and natural timber for a timeless look.

The project

Project creator: Codey Anderson

Location: Coffs Harbour, NSW

The project: Hallway storage

The budget: Around $400

Codey’s top tip: “Sketch it on paper and tape it out on the floor first – it helps you visualise how it’ll actually work in your space.”

If you have to fight your way through piles of jackets, dumped shoes and bags to get out of the house every morning, you probably have an entryway clutter problem.

Now imagine an organised mud-room style entryway – with space for all those things. A bench seat for taking off shoes, hooks for pet leads, baskets for toys. Sounds good, right?

Codey Anderson, illustrator and Army veteran, thought so too – and the custom mud room he built has been a game-changer. “I’d seen mud rooms in US homes and always liked how they created a ‘drop zone’ that kept the rest of the house tidy,” he says. “I wanted something that looked built-in rather than just a row of hooks on a wall, and once I started sketching it up and seeing how it could work, it became one of those ‘Why didn’t I do this sooner?’ projects.”

The plan

Inspired by Hamptons-style interiors, Codey planned a mix of white panelling, shaker-style details and natural timber – timeless, yet relaxed.

He scoured Pinterest, blogs and interiors magazines for ideas, narrowing down the features he wanted, including a bench seat and overhead cubbies for storage. He then mocked up the design in Photoshop using a photo of his actual space.

“It made it easier to tweak the dimensions before I even picked up a tool,” he says.

Digital sketch of planned mudroom cabinetry with measurements and storage layout.

The build

floor, buying baskets for the drawers, then building in the cabinet to fit them. “The door and panel work definitely took the longest.”

The tools required included a jigsaw, drill, orbital sander, with the tight space making precise measurements essential. “Because it wasn’t a huge area, every measurement had to be spot on,” he says. “There were a few fiddly parts like getting the Acacia top to sit just right.”

Codey also traced the contours of his guitar for a side panel detail. “That was a last-minute idea – I used the tracing as a template and it’s been a great conversation starter!”

Before-and-after collage showing a plain wall transformed into a mudroom bench with storage and hooks.

The budget

Codey’s rough budget of around $400 was manageable, using tools he already had from previous projects and doing all the labour himself. “I also opted to use FJ panel plywood and pine mouldings, which are really affordable, but still look great when finished properly.”

He splurged on the Acacia timber for the bench top, though. “I could’ve gone with something cheaper but the natural wood grain contrasts beautifully with the white paint and gave it that Hamptons feel.”

Would he have done anything differently? “Probably using a spray gun for the paintwork – I did it all by hand with a brush and roller but getting that super-smooth, factory-like finish would have been easier and faster with a sprayer.”

The final result

Codey’s new mud room has made a massive difference to how he uses the space. “Before, the entryway was just a bit of a dumping ground – now everything has a place and it’s made the whole area feel so much more organised and calm.”

He adds that it’s also changed his daily routine in small but noticeable ways. “I’ve got a spot to sit to put on shoes, hooks for bags, a basket for my dog Banjo’s lead. It just makes leaving and coming home a bit smoother.”

Mudroom bench with storage baskets, timber seat, wall hooks and a potted plant.

Codey’s four tips for success

1. Design around your space – “Don’t just copy a Pinterest photo – measure up, sketch out what you need and mock it up digitally.”
2. Don’t rush the details – “The little things – like matching trims, getting the paint finish smooth or lining up your doors perfectly – are what makes a project look polished.”
3. Personalise it – “Adding that curved guitar-inspired side panel made the whole project feel more ‘me’. Unique touches make a project more meaningful and stand out.”
4. Ask for help – “If you’ve got a bit of D.I.Y. experience, this is a great project – but don’t be afraid to ask questions at Bunnings. Learning as you go is part of the fun!”

More from Codey and Workshop

To see more great projects like Codey’s mud room and his clever spare bedroom renovation, visit the Bunnings Workshop community.

Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.