A mudroom offers a useful portal between the interior of a home and the outdoors. The space allows you to don a coat and footwear before heading out, or take off these items when coming inside.

In many homes, space is too limited for a dedicated mudroom near a front or back door. However, you can still create an area that serves the same functional purpose, even if you don't have much room.

Start by identifying the best place to locate a mudroom. Julie Cole Miller, writing for HGTV, says you may want to create a space for this purpose outside the main residence, such as in a garage or utility room. An interior mudroom might offer more advantages, though, since it will be easier to light and keep at a comfortable temperature.

The space doesn't just need to serve as an area to get ready to go outside or come back indoors, either. A mudroom can be designed to serve multiple purposes, such as providing storage or even offering a sedate workspace.

Consider whether you can carve out a portion of an existing room to use as a mudroom. The home design site Maison de Pax says you can do this in spaces such as the laundry room, kitchen, or hallway. An underutilized closet can also be turned into a mudroom with a few upgrades.

Your mudroom should be able to accomplish a few basic goals. Kelly Roberson, writing for Better Homes & Gardens, says it should include a place to sit while putting on shoes as well as hooks or racks to hang up coats, backpacks, dog leashes, or other items you'll need to grab before going outside. There should also be a place to store less frequently used materials, such as gloves and hats.

Dead space in corners and walls can often be transformed into a mudroom area without taking up too much floor space. The home design site Homedit says you might include floor-level shelving or drawers and open cubby spaces integrated with a bench. Maison de Pax says baskets are a good way to store items while keeping them out of sight.

Even in areas with very limited spaces, you can find options that will help with the mudroom's function. Roberson says hooks can be added to the fronts or backs of doors, or even to window trim. Narrow shelves added above a door or window can create enough storage room for seasonal items.

The mudroom should be durable, with materials that can stand up to frequent use and be easily cleaned. However, you can also take steps such as incorporating paint, artwork, houseplants, or attractive lighting fixtures to ensure that the space is visually attractive. Maison de Pax says you might even make the mudroom a focal point in the home.