3 Simple Tips to Organize Your Entryway

Your entryway is the first thing people see when they step into your home—it sets the tone for the entire space. But let’s be real: it’s also where life’s little messes tend to pile up. Shoes, keys, bags, mail... the clutter accumulates fast. The good news? With a few simple tweaks, you can transform your entryway from a chaotic drop zone to an organized, inviting space that welcomes you home every day.

Now, let’s be clear—there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for every entryway. The tips that work for one home might not be the best for another. Decluttering depends on the space you’re working with and your lifestyle and habits. That’s why it’s essential to implement solutions that work for your individual needs. Ready to get started?

1. Add Hooks and Shelves for Essentials

If you’re constantly digging through a pile of jackets, bags, or hats just to find your keys, it’s time to give everything a designated spot. Wall hooks are perfect for keeping jackets, hats, dog leashes, and bags off the floor and out of the way. Adding a shelf over the hooks also adds space for smaller items like your keys, wallet, work badge, and incoming mail.

The coat closet is an underutilized storage space in my opinion. Consider adding wall hooks to the inside of the door or either side of the wall. Out of season items can easily be stored inside bins on the top shelf to keep items currently in use easily accessible and make room for guests’ coats.

The key is finding the right solution for your space. Maybe you only have room for a few hooks, or perhaps you’ve got a whole wall to work with. Either way, make sure you’re choosing options that fit your home and your family’s habits.

2. Use Baskets, Bins, or Shelves for Shoes

We’ve all been there—kicking shoes out of the way just to open the door. Shoes have a sneaky way of cluttering up the entryway, but they don’t have to! A simple solution? Baskets, bins, or a shoe rack.

Place a basket or two by the door where everyone can toss their shoes when they come in. This keeps shoes contained and off the floor and also works great in a mudroom if you’re so fortunate to have one. A small shoe rack is an excellent solution to add to a coat closet. If you have a little extra room, consider adding a decorative bench with built-in shoe storage. Not only does it give shoes a proper home, but a bench also provides a place to sit while putting them on or taking them off.

Again, your space and your routines matter here. If your family members tend to drop their shoes by the door as soon as they come in, a shoe basket might be the best bet. But if you prefer a more polished look and have the room, a shoe rack hidden in the closet or bench could be your go-to.

3. Create a Drop Zone for Everyday Items

We all have those everyday essentials—keys, sunglasses, mail—that somehow end up scattered all over the place. That’s where a designated “drop zone” comes in handy. Think of it as a little landing pad for all the things you need when heading out or coming in.

A small tray, drawer organizer, or even a decorative box on a console table can serve as a perfect drop zone for these items. You’ll save time searching for your keys and sunglasses, and you’ll avoid the dreaded pile of mail taking over the surface. Plus, having a designated spot means clutter is less likely to accumulate in the first place. Win-win! If a console table isn’t an option, the same concept can apply to a shelf on the wall or small basket hung on the inside of the closet door.

But remember—your habits should dictate your solution. If you know you’re prone to tossing things down as soon as you walk in, a tray on a console table might be the easiest way to keep things tidy. If you need a little more structure, consider a drawer organizer or labeled bins.

Pro Tip: Add a few decorative accents to your console table to prevent it from becoming a catch-all surface for the things that enter and exit your home. A beautiful lamp, coffee table books, and a luxurious candle can do the trick.

Final Thoughts

Decluttering your entryway doesn’t require a massive overhaul—just a few simple, intentional changes can make a big impact. By adding hooks and shelves for essentials, using baskets or bins for shoes, and creating a drop zone for everyday items, you’ll not only make your entryway more functional but also more inviting.

Most importantly, remember that your space is unique, and your decluttering solutions should be too. What works in one home might not work in another, so focus on implementing changes that fit your entryway’s size, your lifestyle, and your daily habits. Once you find the right combination, you’ll feel calmer and more organized every time you walk through the door.

Now, time to tackle that clutter!