A “Welly Room” Is the Charming English Home Feature You Need This Spring

Springtime comes with the welcome smells of blossoming flowers and fresh breezes, but depending on where you live, it can also bring frequent rainstorms. Heavy rainfall also causes mud, which can be a mess to deal with — especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors or have children who love playing outside, no matter the weather. 

While some people leave messy boots outdoors or on a tray in the mudroom, Elisabeth Schaser, the owner of Front Porch Design Studio in Appleton, Wisconsin, has another brilliant idea for one of her clients: an English-style welly wall to hold boots, inspired by her love of English design.

“I love anything to do with England and Europe and incorporating those things in homes,” she says. “Not only are some of the ideas from across the pond functional, but they also add another layer of design and patina to cozy up a space. These little touches help make a house a home, especially when dealing with a new build.” 

Such was the case with Schaser’s client, Bridget Utschig, the creator behind @living.simply.bridget. Because Utschig has four children who love to be outside, Schaser suggested creating a boot station to help dry wet footwear and keep the home mud-free. Her resulting reel about her beautifully curated welly wall gained lots of positive feedback from commenters looking for a solution for muddy boots.

Utschig’s area consists of a dowel-lined wall designated as a place to hold boots and allow them to dry quickly by inverting them. While her project was not a DIY one — Schaser and an architect drew and designed the house — you can easily replicate the idea if you love home projects or want to hire a pro to create a welly wall. 

If you don’t have space to dedicate solely to boots, don’t worry. Schaser recommends shopping Etsy for items like hanging peg systems or metal boot stands to place on the floor. If you love antiquing, you’re also in luck. Schaser says vintage tobacco or herb-drying racks can also help you mimic the look. 

You’ll want to be able to hang your boots upside down, so choose a piece with sturdy and versatile construction. “You want the pegs to be substantial,” she says. “They have to hold the weight of the boots.” If matching your decor is important, consider staining or painting the wood, but be sure to add a coat of polyurethane for protection from moisture and dirt.

A peg wall can evolve to serve other purposes, too, adding bonus functionality to your home. Whether you’re tight on space or want to give your boot area an extra pop, adding a shelf above the pegs is a great way to corral decor, mail, or keys. No matter what kind of area you have in your home to dedicate to boots, taking a cue from the Brits and making a welly wall can maximize — and beautify — your space.