First Impressions

What does your entry way reveal about you? Besides the smell (see What Does Your House Smell Like?), the entry way (no matter which one) is the first visual impression of how you live. You may have two main entrances - one for guests and one for family (garage.) You may be saying to yourself, " We never go through the front door. It's decorated beautifully." But, how many times have you said to someone entering through your garage, " Oh, just close your eyes and come on in"? Generally, the entry way (no matter if it's your front door or garage entrance) is a major dumping ground. How do you get passed the entrance with out creating an overwhelming obstacle course? Baskets and hooks; they are a phenomenal addition to any entrance, AND organization!

Believe me, I have been in too many homes to count, that have the right tools - baskets and hooks - but they don't have a system down. First, there are tooooooo many items. PURGE!!! Someone else will truly benefit from the next coat drive - or Safe House. Second, the tools aren't in the right location for optimal use - too high, tucked behind loose items, wrong size, etc, and item start sneaking their way into random places - window wells, book shelves, dinning room tables, KITCHEN COUNTERS!

Every household is different, and so are their needs. I live a very simple lifestyle -

LESS IS MORE! - yet, my family is like every other, Drop and Go when you enter the home. I'm 5'5, my husband is 6'5, and our son is 46 inches; we have different needs for the front entry closet space. My husband decided to raise the coat hanging bar and top shelf in the closet and utilize the lower space better. He added hooks onto the wall (next to the three level shoe rack) and on the door for our canvas shopping bags, son's coats and backpacks, etc. Everything has a Happy Home.

Plus, now we've removed the bags from under the entry table (no matter how simply placed) and hung them on the closet hooks. Each one of us has now has our own basket, vs just one. Funny how you have to reconform your space as the children get bigger and so do their clothes/gear.

Remember, only one pair of shoes is allowed out. We take our shoes off as we enter the front door (or leave them on the second shoe rack in the garage) and allow them to dry (and air out) on the tile - or under the entry table - before putting them away. If your shoe racks are overcrowded, it's time to LET GO! And, EVERYONE needs to be responsible for their OWN items! One more GREAT organizer for winter gear/individual items is a Hanging Shoe Rack that hangs on the inside of the closet door. Instead of shoes, place gloves, hats, goggles, sunscreen, etc in the shoe slots. Canvas can be better than plastic, so you don't see everything in the slots, but, plastic can be wiped out with a (cleaning) sponge.

Just because it's in a closet doesn't mean it can't have an effect. Your entry is the first and last part of your home that you see. The space's energy can be very persuasive in your mood.

Give it a go! Let me know if you still need help designing, purging, and organizing.