Cure Entryway Clutter in 5 Easy Steps
The entryway is the first place you see every time you step into your home, and it’s the first place that welcomes guests and creates a first impression. Not only that, but an entryway has many functional requirements. After all, this is where you come and go with hands full of bags, keys, sunglasses, hats, schoolbags, and more.
It’s all too easy for this high-functioning space to become overloaded. Key to keeping clutter under control is to have an easy-to-use system.
STEP 1: AUDIT YOUR ENTRYWAY
Entry spaces tend to be magnets for clutter of all kinds: shoes, bags, delivery boxes, market baskets, library books, recycling, donations waiting to go out, and all sorts of random stuff.
Take a look at your entry right now. How is the space being used? Is it easy to find what you need when you walk out the door? What obstacles (literal or figurative) are blocking your path?
STEP 2: RELOCATE STRAY ITEMS
Take 15 minutes to find the right home for any items that don't belong here. This will make the next step easier!
STEP 3: EDIT WHAT REMAINS
Edit all remaining items, ensuring you are only keeping things that improve your daily routine and support your vision for this space.
As you work through the editing process, challenge yourself to embrace constraints. For example, do you really need a hat stand if you tend to reach for your one favourite hat each time you leave the house? If so, hanging up a simple hook might be a better use of space than the full hat rack.
The same goes for shoes: Consider which pairs you actually wear most. Do you really need to have multiple pairs of sandals by the door?
STEP 4: ADD STORAGE SOLUTIONS
Create an easy-to-use storage solution for your daily essentials, especially small items that tend to clutter surfaces. This could be…
A box, basket or tray to corral keys, sunglasses and your wallet
Hooks, a peg rail or a shelf to store hats and bags
A designated shoe basket or rack that won’t become a dumping ground
A bench seat or basket designated for outgoing items
STEP 5: COMMIT TO A SYSTEM
To maintain your beautifully organised entryway, create simple, repeatable systems that are easy to stick to, even on your busiest days.
Always put keys in the same place every day
Ensure shoes are put in the basket, or other designated spot
Never leave anything in limbo, awaiting action, such as mail in your entry
Rotate seasonal items when needed
And lastly, try to stick to the mantra, “Don’t put it down, put it away!”
FREE DOWNLOAD: THE CLUTTER CURE
Kickstart your simplifying journey with my FREE 15-minute guide to decluttering your home and staying organised.
