Your entryway sets the tone for your home, so it’s worth keeping it organized and clutter-free.
Thankfully, our professional organizers are here to reveal eight things to avoid keeping in your entryway, from too many shoes to sweaty sports gear. Too much stuff in this space can quickly turn your entryway into a cluttered dumping ground.
Armed with our ultimate decluttering tips, you'll soon be enjoying the serenity of a peaceful, welcoming and functional entrance to your home.
1. Coats for all seasons
Having coats for every season in your entryway creates unnecessary clutter. Before long, coat stands are toppling, its a squeeze to get through, or closets have lost their functionality and ease of use.
Ben Soreff, professional organizer at House to Home Organizing, says, 'Where there are coat hooks, people will hang coats. The problem? Unless you review what's there regularly, your entryway can quickly turn into a museum – and a cluttered one, at that.
'Our aim isn't to collect coats, but to use them. So review yours regularly, and store off-season coats or jackets in a separate closet.'
Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning, agrees. She says, 'Once you've slimmed down your entryway coats to the current season's essentials, a simple over-the-door coat rack is a great way to maximize space. This Optish Over-the-Door Coat Rack from Amazon is sturdy and has rounded edges to avoid any ripping of your coats.'
We use these jumbo vacuum seal storage bags to store out of season or extra clothing and other bulky soft items such as comforters. By sucking the air out of the sealed bags, the entire volume is compressed down, allowing us to make the most of our storage spaces, including under our ottoman bed.
2. Hall trees
Hall trees are a popular entryway staple, with hooks for coats and bags, plus shelves for other items. However, without a sorting system, they can quickly become a mess magnet.
Amy Bloomer, professional organizer and founder of Let Your Space Bloom, says, 'While these are helpful in theory, I find that 99.9% of the time they just become a dumping ground for anything and everything when you walk through the door.
'It’s critical to build organizational systems that create a place for everything, so that everything has its place. This helps to drive out items that don’t belong and reduces clutter overall.'
Using baskets under the bench of your hall tree can streamline what goes where. Allocate one per family member and if theirs gets too full or won't close anymore, it's time for a clear out. Diary a seasonal switch out when the weather starts to shift between seasons to avoid it creeping up on you.
3. Too many shoes
An entryway overflowing with shoes can look messy and make it difficult to find what you need.
Soreff says, 'As with coats, shoes can swiftly multiply to the point you're drowning in them – and too many are collecting dust. Instead, focus on frequency or use, and store any off-season or sport-specific shoes elsewhere, such as a closet, garage or mudroom.'
Toner says, 'Think also about how to minimize mud. Whether in a separate mudroom, just outside the front door, or in the entryway itself, a boot tray with raised edges – such as this SUPENUIN Heavy Duty Boot Tray from Amazon – can really help to keep things clean and tidy.'
For more top tips, check out our guide on how to hide shoe clutter in small spaces.
4. Bulky furniture
Bulky furniture clogs up entryways and can lead to a claustrophobic feel.
Toner says, 'Bulky furniture in your entryway can block movement and make an already small space feel even smaller, detracting from the inviting entryway feel you want. Instead, choose slim, multipurpose pieces like a narrow console table or slim storage bench.'
Brighten up your entryway with this classic console table, crafted with knot-free, solid pine wood for a premium look and exceptional durability. At 66 inches long and just 12 inches wide, this narrow console table takes up little space and conveniently ships in one box.
With its comfy bench and shoe compartments, this entryway storage bench has it all. Open compartments (9.4”W x 5.3”H) can house shoes and sneakers, while the larger compartment (10”W x 10.9”H) holds tall boots. A small drawer ensures space for keys, wallets or sunglasses.
This skinny, industrial-look console table offers storage solutions and a rustic accent to your entryway. Its staggered compartments feature three open shelves of varying sizes, for photos, ornaments, or simple storage boxes, plus two additional hooks for hats, umbrellas or bags.
5. Excessive paper
Stacks of mail and paper create clutter, but so often its our entryway where letters, magazine, brochures and flyers gather.
Bloomer says, 'Paper clutter is incredibly invasive and builds up very quickly. I encourage my clients to deposit all catalogs and junk mail into a recycling bin before entering their homes. Place magazines where you will read them – whether by the couch or on a bedside table – and commit to recycling them immediately after reading them. If there is any information that you want to save, take a picture of it and move on.'
Toner recommends a wall-mounted holder such as this Dhmkfly Store 3-Slot Mail Sorter Organizer Wall Mount from Amazon, adding, 'This pretty organizer tidily keeps your mail and keys in one place with separate compartments.'
For more tips on how to organize papers and magazines, check out these living room organization mistakes.
6. Packaging
Don’t let boxes, bags, or packaging linger in the entryway. Move these to recycling or a designated storage spot immediately to keep your space tidy.
Bloomer says, 'With the increase in home-delivery, cardboard can quickly overtake your entryway. It's really worth stripping excess cardboard packaging from toilet paper, medication and nonperishable food items as they come in. Once you recycle all that cardboard, you’ll realize you have much more space to live in!'
7. Unnecessary decor
Even with the best entryway ideas, too much decor in a small entryway can make the area look cramped. Stick to one or two functional or seasonal pieces to keep the space open and welcoming.
Toner says, 'Your entryway is typically a small space, and too many items can make it feel cramped. Instead, use vertical wall space for decor and limit items to a few meaningful pieces. This Homode Store Wall-Mounted Entryway Shelf with Hooks from Amazon both looks good, and offers added functionality.'
8. Sports gear
Sports equipment can be bulky and messy in an entryway.
Toner says, 'Sports clothing and equipment can quickly clutter your entryway and bring in dirt. Look instead to store sports gear in the garage, mudroom or designated closet.
'This Kinghouse Sports Equipment Organizer from Amazon neatly organizes sports items in one space, ideal for garages or mudrooms.'
So there you have it – eight things you should never store in your entryway. Avoiding these items in your entryway will keep your home’s first impression streamlined and inviting.
Next, check out these 5 entryway organizing mistakes affecting the welcome to your home.
