Let’s talk about the space that gets the most traffic in your home—the entryway. When we first moved into our home, the entryway was not functional and the closet, well, it was a mess. We had to figure out how we were actually using the space and then, of course, get it organized (which, let’s be real, took some trial and error). With a few smart strategies and a little organizational TLC, though, our entryway and closet has become fairly neat, functional, and welcoming, too. Here, I’m sharing some of my tried-and-true entryway organization tips to maximize your own space and keep things (mostly) under control.
Okay, let’s dive in!
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ENTRYWAY FUNCTIONALITY
This is a view of OUR ENTRYWAY (ABOVE). It’s a small, zoned-off area – technically our ‘foyer’ – with space for seating, a storage table, and a closet (on the right) next to our bench. It’s taken a bit of experimentation to get the functionality just right. That said, we DID NOT RENOVATE A THING.
The Three Key Functions of an Entryway
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of what I did in our space, keep in mind that your entryway has three major jobs to do (at least as I see it; you may have other needs to consider):
Outerwear Storage: Think shoes, coats, jackets—basically anything you wear when you step outside.
Grab-and-Go/Drop-Off Zone: Your keys, sunglasses, mail, and anything else you need as you dash in and out the door.
Somewhere to Sit: A spot where you can put on or slip off those shoes, boots, or sandals before you head out or come back in.
Whether you have a spacious area or a really tight space to work with, keeping it organized will go a long way towards maximizing its function.
ENTRYWAY ORGANIZATION TIPS
TIP #1: Optimize Closet Storage (Spoiler: Utilize Vertical Space)
Let’s start with the closet. Whether your closet is small or you’re lucky enough to have a decent-sized one, maximizing the space in it is key. And here’s the golden nugget of advice: vertical space is your friend. It’s easy to overlook, but by utilizing the space you have – from top to bottom – you can create a much more functional closet.
IF YOURS IS A BUILDER-GRADE ONE (just like mine) with just a basic shelf and bar to hang coats and jackets, don’t worry! You can still make the most of it. The goal is to USE UP THE VERTICAL SPACE you have available.
Six years ago, I did just that. This is what it looked like then.
Neither the half-empty shelf along the top, nor the shoe racks along the bottom were doing us any good. I was storing garbage bins, mail packages, and unrelated items in there – including gift wrapping paper tucked along the left side.
It did not take me long (under an hour!) to get this basic closet in order and without renovating a single square inch of it. Just a little imagination and a few basic supplies have kept our closet (fairly) neat all these years later:
Here are some key takeaways and tips to get your closet in order, quickly:
Shoe Racks: Starting from the bottom, invest in tiered racks for shoes, especially if you’re tight on floor space. There are plenty of options that maximize height and keep your shoes in order.
Baskets on Shelves: Pop a few baskets on the shelves above the hanging bar to corral smaller items. Think scarves, gloves, or even those random odds and ends that need a home. (And, if it helps, label those baskets so you don’t forget what’s in them).
Matching Hangers: Using matching hangers creates visual harmony in an otherwise chaotic space of mismatched jackets and coats. Whether you use wood hangers or any other hangers that are sturdy, it’s the little things that can make a space feel more organized to your eye.
If you still need a little extra storage beyond the closet (or you don’t even have an entry closet to begin with), hooks, pegs, peg rails, even a good old fashioned coat rack can help clean up a space. (Bonus points if you can make it stylish—turn it into a feature instead of just functional).
TIP #2: Create A Grab-And-Go/Drop-Off Zone
Start with a Console or Storage Table
There are always a few things we need to grab before heading out the door, like keys, sunglasses, and the mail. A console table or side table with drawers near the entryway is perfect for keeping these items organized and in one place – it’s where we keep things at the ready (and more).
Having drawers for stashing things out of sight but still within easy reach is just so practical. To make it tidy, just add a drawer organizer to keep all those small items separated and easy to find.
After organizing our junk drawer in the kitchen this way, I can’t recommend it enough for keeping drawers organized, long-term.
Baskets, Trays, Lidded Jars, or Bowls: A Catch-All for Smaller Items
NOT ALL ENTRYWAYS HAVE SPACE FOR A TABLE, and that’s okay. If you’re working with a smaller area or even just a bench, baskets, bowls, lidded jars and trays are your best friend.
Place them on a bench, a nearby shelf, or somewhere close by and acessible where you can easily corral things like mail, keys, and sunglasses. No more random piles of stuff cluttering up the space!
Command Center Alternative
For those of you who don’t have a traditional entryway (looking at you, apartment dwellers), consider hanging a Command Center—a stylish wall organizer where you can hang your keys, stash mail, and keep other odds and ends at the ready.
You can create a wall-mounted drop zone like this one or this one.
If that doesn’t work, place an organizer with compartments like this one or this one on a nearby table where you can drop your keys, mail, and other miscellaneous items.
It’s the perfect way to add function and organization without taking up precious floor space.
TIP #3: A Place to Sit for Putting On/Taking Off Footwear
Lastly, don’t forget that you’ll need a place to sit (like the spindle back bench above; you can also find similar ones on Amazon here), whether it’s to put on your shoes on your way out or slip them off when you’ve come home. A SMALL STOOL, CHAIR OR BENCH is the perfect practical addition to your entryway.
Regardless of what you find, some entryway seating can also double as extra storage if you want to add a basket underneath, on top, or if you score a bench with built-in storage.
KEEPING IT (FAIRLY) TIDY
Tips to Keep Things Tidy (or tidy-adjacent!)
Now that you’ve got your entryway and closet organized, let’s talk about maintenance. Here are a few entryway organization tips to give you some ideas on keeping things fairly tidy, long-term:
Seasonal Rotation: Store out-of-season items (like winter coats or flip-flops) in bins stored elsewhere. If you’ve got the extra space, consider using another closet (for example, in the guest room or basement) or use an underbed storage bin to store things you don’t need right now.
Declutter (Every So Often): The fewer items you have, the easier it is to keep things tidy. Each year, I do a quick declutter of clothes, housewares, and decor that I gather up for donation. I often do this as part of a New Year Home Reset, but you can do this anytime of year.
Quick End-of-Day (or week!) Tidy: At the end of the day (or week, if that’s more realistic), take a few minutes to tidy up the entryway. If you’re a perfectionist (like I am), this will sound quite onerous. The best way forward? DON’T SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON THIS! Just throw things in a basket, toss the shoes in the closet, and make sure it’s looking presentable again. If it’s realistic, enlist the help of family members—the more hands, the lighter the work.
And there you have it! By maximizing your closet space, adding some baskets or furniture, and maintaining your system with a few quick tidying habits, you can turn your entryway into a welcoming, functional, and (dare I say) stylish space. I hope these entryway organization tips gives you some ideas on how to keep your space fairly neat and organized, long-term.
Happy organizing,
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