Here’s the dirt on mudrooms: They’ve come a long way. From humble beginnings as back rooms or porches where farmers dumped muddy clothes or boots, the mudroom has morphed into a sophisticated, multifunctional space that belies its name.

Homeowners gussy them up with high-end finishes, custom built-ins, upgraded floors and lighting, even occasional antiques. Whether they double as potting sheds, hobby rooms, kids’ airlocks or elegant back foyers to welcome guests, 21st-century mudrooms increasingly are merging function and style.