Fall is officially here, and most folks have returned to their pre-Pandemic “normal.” Which is awesome. But that also means the clutter and chaos that comes with frenetic schedules and never enough time can quickly get out of hand. Morning mayhem. Stuff piling up at the front door. Too much unopened mail. Misplaced keys. Fill in the blank.
Nip all this muss and fuss in the bud! Organize your entryway and simplify the day!
Stop in your tracks, literally. Take a moment to study what you see when you walk out the door or come back home? Is the coatrack out of control? Shoes everywhere? Tripping over backpacks and spending too much time looking for keys, cell phone or glasses? Do you have a nice doormat? If your entryway isn’t everything it could be to make your life better, no worries! We’ve got you covered.
If you take just a little time to analyze your entryway and daily routines (or lack thereof) – you can transform this little slice of square footage into the Little Engine that Could – a well-designed space that pulls double-duty, 24/7 – holding all those items you need and use every day when you leave the house and a place to put them when you get back home.
Having a place to conveniently put everything you need on a typical day in one place is an easy, affordable game-changer!
Let’s get started. Whether or not you have an actual foyer, mudroom or just enter directly into the house, you will benefit from creating a system for getting out the door with less stress and less “mess!” Step back and see what each member of the household (dog included) needs to have in hand when they leave the house. What drives each person crazy – what they can never find (i.e. that one sneaker that is NEVER where it should be) and the dynamics that get in the way of starting your day. Where is my phone? Where is your mask? Creating an efficient and attractive way to have these items neatly stored and accessible is the goal.
Then reverse it. When you come back through the door, what happens? Does everyone have a designated place to put their coat, purse, wallet, glasses, mail, etc.? The trick is to put your daily comings and goings on auto pilot with planning and clever grab ‘n go organizing solutions.
It doesn’t matter if you have a foyer, entryway or mudroom. The principles remain the same, and are informed by simple fengshui principles that can help us design our entrances to achieve better function, flow and beauty.
1. Make a list of essential items for each person (think keys, glasses, phone, wallet, purse, backpack, etc.) Some items will be seasonal (jackets, sports’ gear, etc.)
2. Next, determine where/how these items can be neatly and attractively contained. (Maybe some things can be stored elsewhere.) Check out my Pinterest board for some favorite ideas!
3. Do you have the right components to set up your system? (Enough hooks, hall closet, cabinet, trays, cubbies, storage bench, etc.?) What will work based on the layout of your entrance, your lifestyle, preferences, age(s) of each person? If not, acquire the right organizing solutions to fill in the gaps or create a functional entryway. Common items include a sturdy set of hooks, a storage bench, console table or cabinet, trays, cubbies, shoe rack, or coat hangers for hall closet.
4. Keep your organizing solutions simple! You can repurpose existing supplies like baskets and hooks. Or check out my Pinterest board or links above for awesome, affordable ideas!
5. Get buy-in from each member of the household – make sure the new solutions and systems make sense and are easy for everyone to use successfully. If something’s not working, tweak it!
6. Add a finishing touch or two to make your entryway both functional and as a happy harbinger of what lies within. Your entryway should have a few personal touches that make you (and your guests) feel good and sense the warmth and comfort of your home. Add a plant, a beautiful rug, a piece of art, a scented candle or diffuser, and aesthetic elements that resonate with the rest of your house. And my secret sauce: a tasteful seasonal wreath on your front door with a happy doormat to match!
Entryways set the stage for the start – and the end – of each day. So start your day with less stress, less mess, and see how much better you feel! Seize the day. You’ve got this!