The original purpose of a mudroom was to ensure that the dirt and grime of the outdoors never made it inside your home, where visitors could see it. Believe it or not, the modern mudroom is often the first thing your guests see, as more formal entries are shunned in favor of the casual entrance to the house. As a result, these functional rooms are now gaining the attention of homeowners and designers alike.

If your mudroom could use some sprucing up, here are 4 ways to instantly upgrade your space.

1. Change the Entrance – Changing out that old dull door for a fresh style can instantly change the mood of the room. Adding windows to bring in natural light makes the space warm and inviting.

2. Fresh Paint – Almost every article about updating your home’s look includes new paint for a reason; paint instantly changes the look and feel of a space. Merging bright colors with clean white accents creates visual interest and provides a perfect segue to the rest of the house.

3. Update Your Fixtures – From lighting to doorknobs and hooks, upgrade your functional fixtures with contemporary styles. Double check that the room has adequate lighting which also complements your design aesthetic.

4. Rethink the Storage – Does your mudroom have adequate storage for your needs? A storage bench is a great addition which adds extra space, as well as a place to sit while you remove your bulky items. Mudrooms are often dirty, damp repositories for the mess which isn’t appropriate for the main house, but there is no reason it can’t be functional and beautiful.

By making a few simple changes, you can transform your mudroom and welcome your family and visitors through a fresh space.