The section of the house many of us dream about designing, mudrooms function as a buffer between outdoor activities and indoor cleanliness. These hardworking rooms can be a bit more playful than the rest of the house. This is the place where you can incorporate bright bursts of color, wallpaper, funky hooks, and signs galore.

Think about how you will need to use the space, and customize it to fit your needs—form meets function here. If there are young children at home, it’s a good idea to think about where you will want to store school bags, sports equipment, and general gear. Many mudrooms include built-in components like floor-to-ceiling “locker style” cabinets, drawers, and cubbies for baskets. If you don’t have a separate room, you can creatively make your own “mudroom” by carving out a space near the entryway and adding a bench, some hooks, a shoe tray, and a rug.