How to Organize a Family Entryway

The importance of an organized entry might not be obvious until your schedule is filled with appointments, school drop-offs/pick-ups, and playdates for your little one(s). Suddenly everyone in the family is coming and going. Dropping purses, backpacks and shoes by the door just doesn’t cut it. It’s time to take on an organizational project and have some fun with it!

Design a family entryway that helps make the day run a little more smoothly…and reflects your style! With a few key ingredients and a little bit of creativity, you’ll be as excited to head out for a long day as you are to return home for some quality family time.

*Photos and styling by Kate Simmons for Decoist

Designating a Spot

To get the ball rolling, here’s a helpful hint: you don’t need to have an official entryway to create an organized “mudroom” for your family. A little bit of wall space is all it takes. Whether it’s a spot in the small laundry room that leads out to the garage, or an actual room where you can accommodate a few furnishings, you’ll get the job done. Pick an area, visualize all that it can be, and go for it!

An important part of designating this family space is the fact that you will now know the dimensions involved. Get out a tape measure and figure out what you can accommodate. Is there enough room for a bench without blocking the door? What about an umbrella stand? More on furnishings in the next section…

A Few Key Ingredients

Now that you have your designated space, it’s time to fill it! Here are a few suggestions for what to place in your entryway:

wall hooks
a bench
storage baskets
a console table
an umbrella stand
a coat rack
wall shelves
a bulletin board, message board or calendar
a mirror
potted plants
artwork

Even a simple message board adds function

As you make decisions about how to fill your entryway, prioritize function and convenience. For example, if your entryway is truly an area where you will be putting on shoes and grabbing purses/backpacks, consider adding a bench where your kiddos can fasten the velcro strips on their sneakers and toss last-minute items into their school bags. If the space is a small one and you need to maximize your square footage, perhaps a cute console table with artfully arranged decor isn’t in the cards. But don’t lose hope. There are plenty of ways to add style to the tiniest of spaces, and maybe that console table can go behind the sofa instead!

Putting It All Together

As you piece together the items you’ve selected, it’s time to have a little bit of fun! Once again, you’ll want to start with what’s functional. Get your storage pieces in place first, and then you can begin to fill in the rest. Can you add baskets to maximize that area under the bench? Is there room for an umbrella stand? How far above the bench will you place the wall hooks? Do you want to keep them to the side of the bench so there aren’t bags hanging in the area where people may be sitting?

Then comes the icing on the cake! Would a message board add an extra dose of organization to the space? Is there room for a houseplant? How about a mirror to make the area seem bigger, or artwork to personalize your entryway? Would a throw pillow on the bench add a little pop of color?

Whatever you decide, feel free to try a few configurations before you settle on a final design. Let you family move through the space for a day or two, and then move things around as needed. Your entryway should be a helpful place, one that makes you smile and gives you a sense of comfort as you take on each busy day.