Ditch Entryway Clutter With An Affordable Kitchen Find From IKEA

Avoiding clutter creep for entryways means figuring out what organization system works best for us. Some people use trays, bowls, and baskets as catch-all areas to keep essentials sorted, which work best for those who thrive in organized chaos. Others, however, prefer to keep belongings separate — using slim racks or hooks that can give every item its designated station.

There is, however, a more versatile, space-saving option that can keep entryway items orderly while in plain sight, and it can be found among IKEA's popular kitchen finds. The $15 IKEA HULTARP magnetic rack was designed to keep kitchen knives within arm's reach, but it can work just as well as a simple and attractive way to organize your front-door clutter.

The magnetic rack measures 15 inches long and 1 ½ inches wide. Installing this on a vacant vertical space in your entryway is pretty straightforward, especially if you have a power drill handy. It should be noted, however, that the product doesn't provide screws for mounting. For that, you will have to use what you have, or you could pick up a TRIXIG screw set for $12.99 while you're in the store.

To install, position the mounting bracket evenly at your desired height, and drill the screws into the designated drill marks. Then, attach the magnetic rack into place; once secure, you can start placing your keys, and organizing your other entryway essentials.

While this IKEA HULTARP setup is great for displaying magnetic items, there's a way to level it up to make it even more useful. Attaching magnetic clips onto the rack will allow you to hang non-magnetic trinkets as well. Any magnetic clips you already have in the home will work, but if you want to match IKEA's aesthetic, you can always go with one of its designs. For instance, IKEA's KUNGSFORS stainless steel magnetic clips have a slim look with long handles that can practically function as hooks, perfect for hanging scarves or caps. If you would like clips with a wider grip, however, the LJUNGJORDFLY magnetic clips can help to hold bulkier entryway items, like shopping totes or bigger hats.

That said, if you really want to maximize the space in your entryway, consider installing a second HULTARP rack. Depending on the available space, you can either mount two racks side by side, or stack them vertically (spaced a few inches apart) to expand this organization hack. This way, you can keep magnetic items like keys and keychains attached to one rack, while designating a second one exclusively for clips and larger items.

You may be thinking this method of keeping your entryway clutter-free leans toward a more simple, utilitarian style. Yet, there's a quick and easy way to add a touch of texture and/or personality to it — simply, by framing photos, artworks, or statement décor around the racks.