There is always room for improvement in our entryways – both functionally and decoratively – and some good organizing systems are a key foundation.
As transitional spaces that we don't tend to spend much time in, our entryways are so often forgotten, while we mood board away on our dream kitchens and living rooms.
Whether you have a long and narrow space or a slightly larger footprint, entryways are always a clutter hotspot. So, to maintain an organized entryway big or small, keep these golden rules in mind.
Golden rules for an organized entryway
The Homes & Gardens team recommends following these simple rules to ensure that however your day has gone, you are greeted by a calm, welcoming space each time you walk through the door.
1. Keep the floor clear
Keep your floors free, as much as you possibly can. Clutter-free floors are much easier to clean, and visually enhance the sense of space, great for organizing small entryways.
Piles of shoes are one of the biggest entryway bugbears, as well as kids' sports gear, online deliveries, and any other 'to sort out laters' we might be holding onto. There are various entryway storage solutions that keep things up off the floor. You can rest baskets on the bottom shelf of a console table, or use wall-mounted cabinets for shoes, for example. Jo Bailey, Homes & Gardens' deputy editor (print) recommends adding a shelf at tabletop height in a narrow hallway, as this gives you somewhere to drop your keys and mail into a catch-all tray (we love these dark rattan trays, by Hearth & Hand at Target) without taking up any extra space.
Similarly, Chiana Dickson, Homes & Gardens' junior writer says using the walls can transform an unruly entryway into something much more orderly. 'I recently purchased this IKEA shoe storage wall cabinet, at Ikea and it has made it so much easier to keep my small entryway tidy,' says Chiana Dickson. 'There are various models out there but this one has a cut out at the back so your shoes can still breathe while keeping them neatly stowed away.' No one wants to be greeted home by the smell of old trainers, so consider shoe storage options to keep things neat.
2. Have more storage than you think you need
'If you have the space, having more than one way to store shoes can ensure your entryway is kept hygienic and clean, that every day shoes stay tidy, and that everyone can find the pair they need when they need them,' says Lucy Searle, global editor-in-chief at Homes & Gardens.
'For example, I have a small entryway closet near the front door for dog-walking shoes. That keeps them out of the rest of the house. Then, I have a shoe basket for the pairs that the family tend to wear day in, day out. We also have a larger shoe closet further into the entryway that houses all the rest of our shoes: each family member has two to three shelves (okay, I have four) for their shoes, so they're always easy to find.'
Being realistic about how your family uses the space is essential. Zara Stacey, Homes & Gardens' content editor agrees, and says her golden rule of entryway organizing is choosing entryway storage solutions that fit well in your space. 'There is no point buying a large side table just because it has drawers if it going to take up too much space and disrupt the flow of your entryway.'
3. Be disciplined
Everyone can't have all their coats and all their shoes in the entryway all the time. Louise Oliphant, Homes & Gardens' ecommerce editor says the golden rule she implements at home is to keep the two pairs of shoes you wear the most in your hallway, preferably hidden away in a shoe rack.
'This way your entryway doesn't become cluttered with every pair of shoes you and those in your household own,' she says. 'Find yourself wearing one pair more than the other? Swap out the set that stays out with easy access and store away the pair you no longer wear.'
Interior designer Madison Popper agrees: 'Do not leave mess to linger, and only keep what you use every day in your entryway. Anything else will cause clutter. By finding pieces that are multi-functional as well as useful like a storage bench, at Wayfair, to clear the mess will also remedy the eye sore.'
4. Make it a moment
As we mentioned, an entryway will always benefit from some decorative tweaks. Knowing the fundamentals of entryway decor and adding new additions, from a rug or lamp to artwork, can make it feel like a brand-new space that you'll naturally want to keep tidy.
Shea McGee, interior designer and author of The Art of Home, at Amazon explains that we should 'make it a moment' in our entryways. How? With a chandelier or statement table lamp styled on a console, as long as space allows.
'Create options where your family and your guests can drop their belongings without being seen, like a bowl, basket, or a beautiful, lidded box,' Shea McGee suggests. 'When you can, add a mirror so you can check yourself on the way out, and an ottoman for a soft spot to sit and take shoes on and off. Lastly, warm up the space with a rug. I love using indoor/outdoor rugs in the entryway so it can withstand the wear and tear of a high-traffic space.'
FAQs
How can I keep my entryway organized with kids?
With kids around, more frequent decluttering sessions will help keep things organized. Following some simple entryway decluttering rules can go a long way and prevent clutter from escalating. Then, of course, think about ways to make your entryway storage more kid-friendly, with lower hooks they can reach to encourage good habits, or a cubby storage with a curtain rather than a door, which will be more easily accessible.
If you are using hooks, space them out wide to create more space for coats and bags to avoid them piling up and getting in the way as you walk through. Whenever the entryway feels like it's getting out of control, consider how you can find better storage solutions elsewhere. Can you declutter a section of your closet to make more space for out-of-season jackets, make better use of underbed storage or create some space in the garage?
