Make Sure You Have An Entryway Plan For These Items (Or It Won't Feel Organized)

At one point or another, we all might have underestimated just how important a home entryway is. The highly trafficked area adjacent to your front door is one of the most used areas of your house or apartment. It is the first thing that greets you when you come home, and it's also a space that can help make rushing out the door on busy days more efficient. It's also the first thing guests see when they come over. 

For all these reasons, it is essential that you take extra care to make your entryway more functional as well as beautiful. However, finding a balance between the two can be difficult. Sometimes, when designing your home, you can forget about certain items that often become an afterthought. Sure, it's easy to think about personal belongings like shoes and coats, but what about all the other items that don't always have a clear home? Entryways can easily become a landing zone for items like mail, keys, reusable shopping bags, pet accessories, and more. And without careful consideration, these things can quickly make the already-small space feel even more cluttered and claustrophobic. 

Additionally, in terms of design, you may also be tempted to choose entryway furniture that will provide the look you're going for, but doesn't take into account how you will actually use it to make your life easier. That said, the best thing you can do to create a functional entryway is to invest in multi-purpose furniture and make a plan for where to put the in-between items that aren't always at the top of your mind when designing this particular space. After all, the last thing you want to greet you or your guests when you first walk in the door is chaos.

Every home has items that go beyond just coats, shoes, and purses. The best way to plan for these items is to choose furniture with intention, considering what your household needs to make the entryway a practical and functional place. To do this, pay close attention to how your family uses the entryway before purchasing any furniture or storage solutions. Umbrellas, for example, are one of those items that every household has, and they need a place to dry without creating a big mess. With that in mind, it might be worth considering placing a designated umbrella stand near the entryway. Similarly, reusable grocery bags are common in a lot of households, but they can quickly clutter up cabinets or closets. As such, planning a designated spot for them can prevent you from having to dig for bags on your next grocery run or track them down in different places around your home.

This is true for pets as well. Dog collars, leashes, and poop bags should all be stored next to each other in an intentional way that makes walks easier. You should also have an obvious place to drop mail and keys when you first walk in. Group like items together and have designated drawers, hooks, or cabinets near the front door for everything. If you live in a busy household, consider labeling boxes and containers so everyone knows where to return their belongings. Finally, it's also a good idea to rotate seasonal items like scarves and hats, which is an essential part of learning to master seasonal closet swapping. At the end of the day, being intentional with your entryway is almost guaranteed to make your home feel more organized — and, by extension, your life, too.