Are you always rushing around in the mornings trying to get yourself [and perhaps your family] ready? Does it make you feel stressed trying to arrive on time because you can never find what you need on the way out the door? Do you have clutter piles lying around your home because you don't have anywhere to put things? The answer to all of these problems could be as simple as an organised 'drop-zone' entryway - one of the best ways to stay organised and create a calmer start to your day.
There are several reasons why it's important to have an organised entryway. Firstly, it prevents those random piles building up elsewhere in the house. Things that tend to get dumped on the benches or thrown on the floor when you first walk through the door can create a disorganised mess, so having designated drop-spots is key to preventing this. Secondly, it helps you get out the door faster in the morning, creating a calmer and less hectic start to your day as you [and your family members] can just grab and go!
There are 10 different categories of 'things' that tend to be most commonly needed as we head out the door, or dumped in the doorway when we come back in. Setting up some simple but effective storage solutions in your entryway means you'll have a 'catch-all' for these items, and prevent clutter piles building up in your home. Here's a round up of ideas and inspiration for how you could create storage for these categories in your entryway, no matter the size!
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1. Coats, jackets and scarves
Having a storage spot for coats makes it so much easier to grab them when you're heading out the door. Using hooks to hang items works better than coat-hangers as they are quickly accessible, and kids find them easier to use. You could set up a wall of hooks if you have a bigger family or have lot of items that need hanging, or just place a few hooks on a smaller section of the wall if you have less space. Hiding items away behind closet doors might be your preference if you want less 'visual clutter'.
Source: Desire to Inspire
Source: And then there was home
Source: How to Nest for Less
2. Shoes
How you store and organise shoes is a personal preference. While you may like to keep them stored in wardrobes, it is definitely easier to have your most-worn pairs ready and waiting at the door, especially if you have kids! A simple basket to throw shoes into means you don't have to worry about storing them away neatly. However, if you dislike having shoes all jumbled in together, you may prefer individualized cubbies or a shoe storage wall unit.
Getting creative with shoe storage allows you to tie in organisation with your home decor. Whatever works best for your family, and is going to be the quickest and easiest option for you to maintain, is what you should be aiming for.
Source: The Organised You
Source: Post Road Vintage
Source: Bright Green Door
Source: Etsy
3. Bags
Again, hooks are a simply and inexpensive solution for storing bags in the entryway. Hooking them underneath a shelf on a long rod makes them look more 'hidden' and you can store a large collection. If you're worried that the hooks may damage the bag handles, you may prefer to put them in a basket or in a lidded storage box.
Source: The House of Wood
Source: Apartment Therapy
Source: Creekline House
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4. Keys
Keys are fairly easy to store as they are so small, but it's important that you can find the set you need quickly and easily. Utilize vertical storage, like this repurposed frame with simple hooks and labels, or hang them underneath a small floating shelf. You may prefer to have them inside a drawer, or even in a divided basket so they are less 'on display', but still easy to grab and go.
Source: By Stephanie Lynn
Source: Pottery Barn
Source: Gurl
5. Sunglasses
Like keys, sunglasses are an easier item to organise as they don't take up a lot of space. Hang them on hooks on a vertical storage unit or hide them away in a drawer. You may like to set up a system whereby each family member has their own labelled box or basket to store all their personal belongings, which may help to prevent the last minute 'have you seen my....' questions!
Source: Etsy
Source: BHG
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6. Hats
Store hats on hooks, in small open cubbies, or in easy-to-access boxes or baskets. Try not to hang them too high if you have kids or it'll always be you who has to retrieve them!
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Source: Cherished Bliss
Want to learn more strategies for planning, prioritising and organising your time better? The Productivity Pack will help create more calm & order in your life... and it's only $7!
Check it out here >>
7. Umbrellas
Having a storage solution in place for umbrellas will prevent them from sliding around against the wall or becoming a tripping hazard. Look for a slimline option that won't take up a lot of floor space. You can buy specific umbrella holders at homeware stores, or you could use a cylindrical wicker basket, or even a tall bucket! Try to choose something that will be able to withstand some water damage and can be easily cleaned if necessary.
Source: Good Housekeeping
Source: Parade of Homes Tour
Source: Martha Stewart
8. Wallet/purse and phone
You may like to keep your wallet or purse stored inside your bag, so coming up with a storage solution isn't necessary. But for those who prefer to carry it with them, a slimline drawer in a console or entry-table works best. A small box or basket on an open shelf is another easy option. Putting your phone straight into a charging station, either in a command centre or in the entryway area, will help keep clutter on kitchen benches to a minimum.
Source: Liz Marie Blog
Source: The Budget Decorator
Source: Lil Luna
9. Mail
Along with 100 other things we tend to carry through the front door, mail is the one that usually gets thrown on the kitchen table or benches. This is totally reasonable, and a tricky habit to break, but if you have a designated spot for paperwork in the entryway or command centre, it does make it easier to deal with.
I like to quickly sort through all our mail on the spot, and anything I need to keep or do is put into the paperwork system in our command centre. In an entryway, you may like to set up a small compartment for items you have to mail, or you could utilize small cubbies or boxes to put your daily mail in to be sorted at the end of the week.
Source: Blah Blah Magazine
Source: Etsy
Source: Homedit
10. Somewhere to put shoes on
Although this category is not really an 'item' per se, having somewhere to put your shoes on as you head out the door does make the whole process much quicker! We are lacking this feature in our entryway, and although it doesn't make a huge difference to how we start our day, I often think how much easier it would be to have a little stool or bench seat like the ones below. If you have the space, it's a feature I would definitely recommend!
Source: DecorPad
Source: Little Red Brick House
And last but not least, I had to include this picture as it's one of my favourite entryway inspirations - loads of storage, organised and easy access to all items, hooks for coats and scarves, beautiful baskets and decorative pieces, and a comfortable-looking bench seat. What more could you want in your home entryway!
Source: Sally Lee by the Sea
Feeling inspired? Create your own entryway with my free planner - it'll make sure you include all the essentials for an organised space that reduces time, stress and effort every day!
