Tame your entryway without breaking the bank

Who doesn’t love a house with a dedicated space for those muddy boots, soggy umbrellas, and coats upon coats? But if you’re someone (like us) who doesn’t have one, fear not. You don’t have to resign yourself to an entryway full of tripping hazards.

We’re a no-shoes household and celebrate the sight of a pile of our loved one’s shoes during a party:

But when your entryway looks like this sans company? It’s time to find another way. 

Our family has utilized shoe cubbies for years. The problem? It’s just too easy to almost put the shoes away… or to shove 3 pairs in a space made for one. The result is a chaotic site in a place meant to be welcoming:

We’ve traded our shoe cubbies for shoe cabinets that keep all of our shoes hidden from view, and at a fairly affordable price.* Most cabinets hold around 16-20 pairs – plenty of space for everyone in the family to have a handful of shoe options by the door.  

Other tips for a more welcoming entry space:

• Switch out your coat rack for wall hooks.
  Install “double” hooks that can hold multiple items.
  

• Place hooks where children can reach them.
  Enlisting the entire family in keeping your space tidy makes it easier for you, but also develops important skills for your kiddos. For more ways to get your kids involved, check out this blog post on Tidying Tactics that Work for Busy Parents.
  

• Stash away out-of-season gear.
  Those heavy jackets can hide out in a tucked away closet or a garage bin during the summer. Bucket hats and flip flops can swap places with them during the winter.
  

• Limit the number of items you keep by the door.
  We keep 4 pairs of shoes each by the door and stash the rest in our bedroom closets. I thought this would feel limiting, but instead it has simplified my morning routine by removing decision fatigue.
  

Tldr: By the door, less is more! Utilize double hooks and shoe cabinets to keep things tidy and tucked away.

Stay tuned for a deeper dive into converting a typical hallway closet into a multi-functional storage space that’ll make morning routines a snap.

And as always, if you’d like help getting your space in order, please feel free to reach out!

*I only promote products I’ve found personally helpful. I do not receive compensation for my recommendations. Where possible I attempt to choose companies who are not actively ruining our society and planet.