The Organizer From Dollar Tree That Makes The Perfect Entryway Drop Zone

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You know that awkward moment when you finally walk through the front door after a long day but are juggling your keys in one hand, phone in the other, a bag on your shoulder, some mail under your arm, and can't see anything because you're still wearing your sunglasses? We've all had the urge to drop it all on the ground or use a random chair, bench, or table by the entrance to drop it into a messy pile. Well, there's a hack that might just solve that issue. Using affordable hooks from Dollar Tree, you can turn your entryway into a perfect drop zone for all those awkward items. With just a few dollars, you can say goodbye to this daily hurdle and make your life a whole lot easier.

The idea for this hack is to use Dollar Tree over-the-door metal hooks — at only $1.25 each, they're an affordable solution. Unlike the regular single hooks you've likely seen before, these have several hooks built into one piece. Each individual hanger comes with five separate hooks aligned vertically, which gives you a lot of options for dropping items while keeping them organized. Considering how affordable they are, you can even use two or three hangers to multiply this hack's holding power. 

Once set up, these hooks can help you organize tons of things. They're great for items that you need to grab every time you step through the door, like keys, sunglasses, hats, a dog leash, or umbrellas. They're also great to store things temporarily while you lock the door and take your shoes off, like shopping bags, mail, or a purse. 

The key to using these over-the-door hooks is to find the right place to hang them. You'll need a door that's not too tight against a doorframe, leaving a slight space for the metal hook to attach. Unfortunately, front doors likely won't do, because they close tightly to insulate your home from the outside and have weatherstripping to keep the cold air out. Instead, look for a nearby door in your entryway, like a closet door or a door leading from the foyer to another room. These inside doors are typically lighter without as much doorframe insulation. 

If you don't have such a door in your entryway, consider some alternatives. For example, you can clear the clutter by installing an entryway shelf instead. You could even add a cabinet to the entrance and attach the hooks to its door for a little extra storage. Other options, like drilled-in wall hooks, can also be an alternative. No matter what, not having a dedicated drop zone is an entryway design mistake that you can easily fix.

But if you are able to use the over-the-door hooks, there are plenty of ways you can customize this hack. For example, attach a tote bag to one of the hooks as a catch-all for random scarves, gloves, and other outdoor equipment. You can also hook a small bin from Dollar Tree through its handle, like this dry erase board tote, to leave mail in when you walk in the door. A fancier (and more expensive) alternative is to get a Kaiferty over-the-door hook organizer, which comes with pre-built bins in addition to hooks.