As fall rolls in, most of our attention will be on replacing summer decor with fall pieces and cozying up the space for longer nights spent indoors. However, there is one spot in our homes we should pay the most attention to, especially at the beginning of the season – the entryway.
Organizing entryways and mudrooms may seem like a never-ending battle, but experts are saying that leaving this spot off of our fall cleaning checklist could result in chaos further down the road.
We spoke to top home organizers to learn why we need to organize entryways before fall and how to make the most of the space with the colder seasons in mind.
Why you need to organize your entryway before fall
Although mudrooms and entryways should be organized every season, establishing some good home organization with smart storage ideas will help to wrangle all the extra bits we use over the cooler months too, such as hats, scarves, and gloves, while also providing a space to deal with mud and water before it is trailed through the house.
It is, without a doubt, a must before fall arrives.
Professional home organizer Barbara Brock, adds, ‘Organizing doesn’t necessarily mean getting rid of things, but it does mean to review what you have so you will be clear about what you do have. Organizing is a way of prioritizing what is important and what is not. But I subscribe to the motto: Clear out, Clear head.'
Here's how to organize this vital space before fall:
1. Use baskets for smaller items
One of many storage products professional organizers can’t live without, storage baskets are essential when dealing with smaller ‘floating’ items such as hats and gloves in fall and winter, says Heather Aiello, professional organizer and founder of The Organized You.
‘We usually dedicate a basket for each person in the family and add a label. This makes it much easier to put things away and to grab them when you are running out the door – and you don't end up with two odd gloves, one far bigger than the other.’
Constructed of tropical rattan, this basket is incredibly lightweight so it's ideal for overhead shelves where excessive weight may be a concern.
Perfect for stashing everything from books to folded towels to boxes of cereal, the provided insert of this basket easily slides into place to separate categories. The perforated design is great for airing contents and stopping mold and mildew.
NEAT Method's rope bin is constructed primarily of polyester and tightly braided for long-lasting durability. It is intentionally designed to fit most cubby storage systems.
2. Only keep your winter jackets out on hooks
Just as you would organize your closet, you should rotate your coats and jackets seasonally to make extra space to move in your entryway or mudroom, says Allyson Van Wagnen, professional organizer and owner of Organized Indy.
Allyson says, ‘In colder months, keep your most worn items near your entryway. This doesn’t mean every single coat or jacket your family has. Try to narrow it down to one to two per person,’ she recommends.
This is an especially important tip if you are organizing a small entryway where you have to squeeze everyone's winter clothing into one tight spot.
3. Designate a wet-item drop zone
When designing a mudroom or laying out an entryway, it is a good idea to designate one spot as a wet item drop zone, Heather Aiello, professional organizer, suggests.
‘I would also have a designated drop area or hanging area for wet items. A weatherproof drop area (like this boot tray from The Container Store) is best to help contain mud, snow, and rainwater before it has the chance to muddy your floors. Hooks or coat racks will serve the same purpose.’
Available in four finishes, this freestanding and easy to assemble coat rack is a perfect wet drop zone for soggy coats and damp hats and scarves to dry.
4. Use off-the-floor storage to make cleaning easier
Whether you have a large mudroom or small entry, keeping things off of your floor and in storage organizers will make cleaning a floor without streaks easier when muddy footprints are unavoidable.
‘With designated storage solutions in place, cleaning up becomes more efficient,’ Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning assures. ‘Entryways are high-traffic zones prone to collecting dirt, leaves, and debris during fall. Easy-to-clean surfaces and storage solutions can simplify maintenance and make cleaning a breeze.’
Keep muddy and wet shoes and boots off the floor with this wipe-clean shoe riser. This option is stackable, helping to keep all of your shoes in one spot, rather than littered throughout your home
Make cleaning an entryway in fall simple by keeping a large, heavy duty doormat by the front door. This encourages people to wipe their feet or remove their shoes before treading mud and water through your home.
To stop mud, snow, and water from entering your home in the first place, pop a boot scraper outside of your front door to help clean your shoes and keep your entryway spotless throughout fall.
5. Clear away summer decor
There are several things professional organizers never keep in their homes after summer – the most important being summer decor ideas. For Barbara Brock, professional home organizer, this is even more essential in an entryway.
‘As you prepare to decorate for the fall and winter holidays, take some time to remove extra photos from shelves, home decor and items off counters that are not being used to make your public areas ready for holiday gatherings. Especially if you are adding holiday decorations to these public areas. If you just add the holiday decor to existing regular decorations, then it will appear cluttered with conflicting themes.
‘By removing some non-seasonal decor, there will be room for the ever-important Halloween candy bin,’ she adds. ‘Once Halloween is over, you can replace the candy jar or bucket with something else in the fall or Thanksgiving category.'
Ideal for seasonal decor storage, these stackable bins with lids are sturdy enough to keep your decor safe between uses while keeping pests, moisture and dirt out.
6. Pare back to the essentials
If in doubt about which things to declutter in an entryway before fall, opt for everything that is not an absolute essential (such as your coats and winter boots), suggests Amanda Schmitt, lifestyle blogger and founder of Life As Mama.
‘As a mother and lifestyle blogger, fall home organization is critical to maintaining sanity once the cooler weather hits. Baskets, racks and a charging station for devices make coming and going easier during busy fall schedules.
‘For many, fall means preparing for Halloween or other holidays. An organized entryway accommodates decorations, candy bowls for trick-or-treaters and any other supplies – importantly, without adding chaos. Entryways become the drop zone for everything from backpacks to groceries this time of year, so developing a system early on pays off.
‘Keeping only what sparks joy and maximizes function creates an inviting space for the whole family.'
Although it is probably far more exciting to think about your fall entryway decor than your organizing approach, getting your cold-season items in order before the bad weather hits means you are well set for the holiday season.
When planning your entryway or mudroom space, remember to leave some extra spots for guest coats and shoes too, so as to keep your space consistently neat and tidy.
