Organize Your Entryway (and Your Life!)

The entryway is the ultimate multitasker – it welcomes you (and your guests!); sets the tone for your place; corrals shoes, bags, keys, you name it; and sends you off on your way. The only problem? It can get overrun with STUFF (mountain of shoes, anyone?). We are asked all the time to help clients spruce up their entryways, as it gives the first impression of a home. The good news is, with a few guiding principles, you can create an entryway that is both beautiful and functional. And we’re going to show you how!

One of the keys to organizing an entryway is giving everything a designated space. Whether it’s an umbrella or roller skates, items kept in the entryway need a specific place to go. So, let’s talk placement.

Wall Hooks

We realize not all homes are blessed with a coat closet (and forget about a mudroom!) so wall hooks can be a great solution. They can hold jackets, bags, pet leashes, umbrellas – the list goes on. If you have little ones, consider hanging hooks at a height they can reach. J 5-Hook Racks from Rejuvenation in aged brass and oil-rubbed bronze are an elegant solution. We love the clean simplicity of the Five Hook Peg Rail from Schoolhouse. And is this Swell Wall Catchall from Coming Soon fun or what? It also comes in black, white and red.

Floor Baskets

Baskets are a wonderful storage solution for the entryway as they can be both stylish and functional. Baskets can be designated for specific items like backpacks or shoes, or each family member can have one to store what they please.

We’re always a fan of a Muuto basket in the entryway (and love Muuto coat hooks, too!). The Bolga Floor Baskets from HOME in Santa Monica and The Citizenry’s Mercado Floor Baskets are wonderful for holding shoes by the door. We also like using HOME’s Tall Bolga baskets and the Thelma Handmade Wicker Basket from Birch Lane for kids’ backpacks and school gear. The clean lines of the Korbo Handmade Wire Basket from Design Within Reach create an entrance that is airy and streamlined (especially when paired with a gorgeous Herman Miller Platform Bench.) The James Perse Jute Baskets always make a statement in charcoal.

A Console

If you have a narrow entryway, a slim console can provide a surface for keys, sunglasses or a bag. You can also put a lamp on top, baskets underneath and/or a mirror or art above. Some of our favorites are in wood (Anton Console from West Elm), stone and metal (Streamline Console from West Elm) and acrylic (Peekaboo Console from CB2).

A Catchall

We like having designated a catchall for important grab-and-go items like keys and sunglasses in the entryway. The Maddi Catch from Anastasio Home provides a beautiful landing pad and ModTrays by LINE+ARC keep everyone’s keys organized while adding a fun pop of color. We’re fans of The Brass Oval Trays from +COOP because they are both sophisticated and functional.

A Bench

A bench or stool can come in handy as a place to put on shoes or set a bag. We love the boho, beachy feel of the Malibu Entry Shoe Bench from Pottery Barn. The Journey Terracotta Red Velvet Stool from CB2 adds an elegant touch. The beautiful ModernKarigar Entryway Bench comes in a number of sizes and finishes to fit any entryway. For a bit of funk, add a Polspotten Zig Zag Stool. Good luck choosing a color from their rainbow of choices!

And, if your household has a lot of shoes piling up at the door, you may want to check out these shoe benches in my blog for organizing those sneakers.

A Shoe Rack

A “no-shoe” household is always a great idea, but it can lead to a pile of shoes by the door. A stylish shoe rack can be a great space saver (and savior)! The Quinn Shoe Rack from West Elm adds a touch of class to the entryway. We like the simplicity of the Bamboo Stackable Shoe Rack from The Container Store.

Those are our entryway tips and favorites. We hope you’ve found some inspiration for your home’s front entrance. If you’d like help with your entryway, please get in touch with us. We love using our organizing skills and design talents to create beautiful and functional home entrances…. and we are always happy to share our trade discounts with you. Happy organizing!

For added inspiration, check out my how-to videos on YouTube, where I walk you through step-by-step organizing makeovers and demonstrate before-and-after transformations you have to see to believe.

And, if you have a clever organizing solution, I’d love to hear about it! Drop me a line on Instagram or Facebook.