3 Things Keeping Your Entryway Cluttered

That moment when you come through the door and land in your entryway - the space that should welcome you home - greets you with absolute chaos.

A sea of shoes crowds the doorway, while your entry table disappears under an avalanche of chargers, unopened mail, Amazon returns, and reusable shopping bags that have found their permanent "temporary" home.

It's the first thing you see when you walk in and the last thing you have the energy to tackle. 

But here's the real kicker – This daily dance of dodge-the-clutter isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s stealing your calm, one misplaced item at a time. 

As a professional organizer, I've seen these same clutter culprits show up in client after client's homes. Today, I'm sharing the top 3 repeat offenders keeping your entryway in chaos, plus the solutions that will actually work for real life.

1. Too Much Stuff (The Universal Truth)

Let's start with the disclaimer that should headline every organizing article ever written: You can't organize clutter. 

The first step is always to edit. Declutter what you don't use, love, or need, and watch your space (and your sanity) expand. Simple, but not easy – I know.

2. No Designated Drop Zones

Here's the truth about clutter: it's not just about having too much stuff – it's about not having proper "homes" for the things you use every single day. 

Think about it: when your everyday items don't have designated spots, they wander from surface to surface, creating visual chaos and mental stress.

And here's your truth bomb for the day: if putting things "away" feels like solving a Rubik's cube, or if those designated spots are bursting at the seams, guess what? Your stuff will rebel and scatter everywhere. Every. Single. Time.

Let's fix that. Here are my tried-and-true solutions for creating storage that actually works:

Smart Furniture Choices:

• A slim console table with drawers (bonus points for an open bottom shelf for baskets)

• A flip-top storage bench (seating and storage? Yes, please!)

• Wall-mounted hook systems (because backpacks and jackets don't belong on the floor)

• Floating shelves (vertical storage is your friend)

• Mirror with hidden storage (sneaky and stylish)

Maximize Your Existing Closet:

• Add structured baskets to top shelves and floor spaces to corral loose items

• Install over-the-door organizers for smaller accessories

• Use clear bins to keep categories visible and accessible

The key? Creating systems so simple that putting things away becomes your new default.

Maintaining order isn't just possible when everything has an obvious home – it's practically automatic.

3. Skipping the Seasonal Swap Out

Time for tough love: your "small" closet isn't the problem – it's how you use it. Trust me, I've learned this lesson the hard way too.

We've all been there: it's mid-June, and your entryway closet is still stuffed with puffy winter coats, sad-looking hats missing their pom-poms, and too many mismatched mittens to count. Meanwhile, your summer essentials – sunscreen, bug spray, and sun hats – play hide-and-seek all over your entryway.

Let me save you from this seasonal chaos. The solution isn't a bigger closet – it's a smarter strategy. Here's how to reclaim your space with a seasonal swap that actually works:

Smart Storage Solutions for Off-Season Items:

• Transform your basement into a seasonal wardrobe vault with a rolling rack for bulky winter coats (bonus: they stay fresh and ready for next season)

• Make the most of under-bed real estate with vacuum storage bags (they're like magic for compressing those puffy winter coats)

• Utilize your closet's vertical space with clear bins on the top shelf for off-season shoes and accessories (if you can see it, you won't forget it)

Remember: your entryway isn't just a pass-through space – it's the threshold between the chaos of the outside world and the sanctuary of your home. 

You're doing more than just clearing clutter by creating intentional spaces for your everyday items, establishing smart storage solutions, and embracing the seasonal swap. 

You're setting the tone for a calmer, more organized home the moment you step through the door.

Ready to Transform Your Space?

If you're feeling overwhelmed and need expert guidance, I'm here to help:

• Book my in-home or virtual organizing services for personalized support

• Join the waitlist for my FREE LIVE Zoom Workshop "Get Uncluttered" where I'll walk you through my proven decluttering process step by step

• Grab my FREE guide "My Home Organization Confessions: 10 Products I'll Never Buy Again (and what I buy instead)" to save yourself from common organizing mistakes

Because sometimes, the difference between chaos and calm is just a simple system away.