Well here we are into August already and moving on to getting our entryways and/or mudrooms organized. Before I jump into that though I have some unfinished business to clear up from the previous two months…the prize of course! Thank you to everyone who entered in either June (playroom) and/or July (bathroom), it was a great success. I have gone ahead and selected one lucky winner (via random.org) to win the prize package from Organize Magazine. That person is:
Congratulations Thea!
Alrighty then, now we are moving on. Those that participate in either August (entryway) or September (office) will be eligible to win a most awesome prize package from The Organize It Mom! valued at $60.00. If you’ve not heard of The Organize It Mom! products be sure to read my review here. Very cool!
The entryway is the first room you see when you come into your home and whether you have a big one or one on the smaller side you are sending a message to everyone who enters (including yourself) about the nature of your home. When you walk in your front door does it say welcome to those who enter? Do you see a chaotic scene with shoes and coats thrown about? Do you find yourself tensing up as you maneuver your way around obstacles dropped at the door? Do you find yourself wanting to turn around and leave again?
What would you rather it say?
Having an organized entryway is important to me as it is to my husband. Because I know this I always try to make an effort to tidy up the entrance way before my hubby comes home from work even if the rest of my house is in chaos around me at the time. I want him to walk in and at least have that first impression of peacefulness and serenity. I want to set the right tone to welcome him home. That goes for my friends as well.
Having said all that I know that these front entrance ways are rarely big enough for all they need to encompass. Gosh we need room for the backpacks, the hats and mitts, the coats, the keys, the sunglasses, the shoes, the boots, the purses, an I’m Outta Here Shelf, the umbrellas, the wallets, etc. The list goes on and on. Let’s take it one step at a time. Start with your plan. Make a list of everything you need to house in this area and then set about finding designated areas for them. If you have a small space this may require some thinking outside of the box, a little more firmness in the purging and a little more creativity but it can definitely be done. There is a system that will work for your family.
Do you want to get tackling the shoes that seem to multiply overnight? I did a post some time ago on shoe storage solutions for small spaces that you might find helpful.
And of course many of you will remember my absolute favorite mudroom found over at Lisa’s of Take 90 West. Love, love, love it!!
I’ve also got one reader who has already completed her front entryway with a simple shoe solution and it looks great. Check out her site, Roots & Wings, for some inspiration!
Got a burning entryway question? Fire away in the comments. Have fun!!
Scratchin' the Surfa says
Laura, are you telling me it’s time to put away my Easter decorations? Maybe a little entry tending to do!
Cassandra Stafford says
What if we enter right into our living room? Sometimes (when it is clean enough to actually park in) we enter through our garage and the first room you see is the laundry room. But its just US that see the garage/laundry room. Everyone enters into the living room. And I struck a deal with the hubby that if nothing else got cleaned, it would stay cleaned at (almost) all times.
Marcia "HDMac" McFar says
Well, my entry is my front door and we don’t use it… but my laundry room that is a different story. I have decluttered and made it presentable and posted pictures on my blog. Hope you will check it out! Love your blog!
Susanne says
My entry way is PUNY! We have a closet but with 5 of us and a dog who insists on sleeping in the corner of it, the shoes are spilling everywhere. But I think I might have an idea or two.
Susanne says
Well now that I reread my comment I must recomment and say that the 5 of us humans do NOT sleep with the dog in the corner of the closet! Sheesh. I really need to proof read. I meant 5 in the family using the closet and a dog who sleeps in it. LOL.
MJ says
This is great timing! We have a mudroom addition on our house that we’re actually taking DOWN in September when we re-roof the house because whoever added it didn’t tie it in well with the main house. We’ll need to find alternate space for all the STUFF that collects in that room in the meantime. I have a cape and the door we use 100% of the time opens right into the kitchen! I was thinking of starting to use the REAL front door, but realisticly don’t think that will happen. Can’t wait to see how it all works out by the end of the month!
Pam says
I just discovered your blog about a month ago and I love the ideas and tips you give for organization. My entryway is cluttered with shoes all the time because we don’t wear our shoes in the house. I live in a split level house or bi-level house, so the problem is that my entryway is small with two sets of steps. It is more like a landing. Any ideas how to tame the shoe clutter and where to hang the book bags now that school is back in session would be greatly appreciated.
Elaine says
I think that I will try to do this.
My front door is in the living room so that is what everyone sees when they first come in. It really could use some work.
PamPA says
I have a bi-level entry like Pam. Mine has enough room behind the open door to put something. I thought of purchasing a bench, but reused a microwave cart that used to hold my printer. I found 2 big baskets that fit underneath and put some pretty stuff on top. I also had my dad install a coat rack for guests coats so I don’t have to drag them upstairs. It comes in handy for bags that ready for customers and door prizes for my scrapbook events.
Organizing Mommy says
bummer. I didn’t win again. That means I’ll have to keep organizing–the entryway.
Thea @ I'm a Drama M says
Oh my goodness, that’s great! Thank you Laura!
I’m not going to be able to participate for the next few months but I can’t wait to see what everyone else comes up with!
Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home says
Oh Laura, you always know how to hit on the areas that I need to work on. 🙂
I love, love, love that PB entry organizer from one of the links. It is gorgeous and so functional! I’d love to find a smaller version of that for my space, as it’s a bit of a funny layout.
Elizabeth says
My mudroom is my laundry room. I also run a home daycare business so I need ideas as to how I can organize it all! I also have a main closet. Any ideas???
Misty says
I may have to enter this one. I’ve wanted to do this all year but admittedly have lacked the motivation. Oh, and BTW, did you know Organize Magazine is out of business? I got an email from them that they were looking for an acceptable way to substitute our remaining issues. Thanks for all of the great tips…love this blog
Alyce Bass says
Laura..
speaking of shoe storage..I got this great idea from one of my friends and it has helped us so much. For anyone that has the front loading washer and dryer on the pedestal..We use one pedestal for shoe storage. Our laundry room is right off the back entrance. We didn’t have enough room in there for ALL the shoes that find their way to that room and that one small corner of the room. So, I just lined the drawer of the pedestal to the washer w/ newspaper and one side is for one kid’s shoes and the other side is for the other kids’. Works great!
The Bargain Shopper says
We just moved to the Northeast and are used to Texas heat. We don’t have a mud room so I am trying to figure out what we are going to do in the winter with all of our coats and boots. You are inspiring me to make it really organized! I found this great storage bench at a barn sale for $5 so I think I’ll start with that.
~The Bargain Shopper Lady
Tab says
Hi!!! May I add you to my blog roll??
-Tabitha
http://www.proudgrits.blogspot.com
janet says
i’m loving that people with split foyers are commenting. I thought I was the only one reading. It is really tough organizing a split entryway. Please let me know your thoughts as well.
Janet
Kim says
I do not have a mudroom, my front door walks into my living and dining room area which is usually fine. My problem is where the family enters the house, which is through the garage and right into the kitchen area. This is where everything gets dumped from shoes, to jackets and backpacks. This is my biggest eye sore of the house and the one I have struggled with the most.