3 Steps to an Organized Entry

3 Steps to an Organized Entry

Create a welcoming entry with these simple steps from Cassity, of Remodelaholic.

The entryway sets the tone for your home, so you want the first steps into your house to reflect your style--but not your bad shoe-dropping habits! Even if you lack a spacious entry, you can still create a welcoming and organized entry in just three steps.

1. Declutter

Especially in a small entry, every inch counts. Follow a few simple guidelines as you decide what stays and what goes:

If you don't use it, get rid of it. Six months is my limit--if I haven't used it since the last round of seasonal cleaning, it needs to go!If it's seasonal, find a storage place elsewhere until that season comes around again. You can hide a lot of coats and gloves under a bed!

As you banish items, remember that your entry needs to be functional and work for your family's needs. If you all tend to walk in the door and drop your bags and shoes, it's easier to redirect that habit by creating a "drop zone" for those items than to try to completely change the habit and expect everyone to carry their things upstairs.

Once you've decided what items actually need to be in the entry you're ready for step two.

2. Designate a space for everything

Keep the seasonal items tucked under your bed in mind as you decide where everything is going. Coats are usually bulkier than summer jackets and gear, so make sure account for the extra space you'll need come cold weather. Opt for versatile storage solutions:

Hooks are a great storage solution that moves easily from season to season. They hold tote bags during the summer, backpacks during school, and scarves and coats during the winter.Use a wall organizer to hold school papers, mail, and keys--and it's also a great place to put a message center and family calendar!

Photo: Remodelaholic

In our last home, we used a simple floating shelf to hold some decor items and our keys and built rustic storage bins to hold hats, gloves, etc. Everything else was tucked inside our small entry closet, keeping the space clean and usable.

Use vertical space to organize smaller oft-used items such as keys and gloves or add extra cubbies and storage above your heads. A bench or chair adds seating for putting on shoes, and you can tuck a bin or two underneath to keep them out of the way. And if you have a console table in the entry, you can nest the bench and the bins underneath that. If you have a closet, use it to its fullest potential. And don't forget to use the back of the door!

3. Design a space you love

Once you love a space, you're more likely to keep it organized. In order to have a space that is both stylish and functional, you have to think creatively. Designating spaces for things creates function. Now add style! If you love color, use color. Paint the wall or a piece of furniture, add artwork, and use colored bins. If you love vintage industrial, incorporate that into the design by using wire baskets, plumbing-style shelves, and chalkboard labels. Even a small, functional space has room for your own personal flair! Add vacation mementos and family photos to make it personal.

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