7 Things Pro Organizers Never Store in Their Entryway
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/what-not-to-store-in-entrance-GettyImages-1412858432-85ad0f28cfaf498aa2d45972545f756b.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "7 Things Pro Organizers Never Store in Their Entryway")
Key Takeaways
- Even everyday items like shoes and bags can create a lot of clutter in the entryway—so pare those collections down to just the ones you use daily.
- Take care of mail, packages, shopping bags, and errand items promptly.
- Be careful about placing valuables and spare keys near the door, where they can be swiped easily.
- Pare down decor to avoid too much visual clutter.
We’ve all seen those aspirational pictures of serene, clutter-free entryways—and then looked at the tripping-hazard pile of shoes, bags, and packages that ring our own front doors. Real talk: pro organizers say we keep way too much stuff in the entryway’s drop-and-go zone. And all that excess stuff makes it much harder to maintain that welcoming vibe that puts everyone (even you!) at ease when they walk through your door.
Fortunately, it’s nothing that a little declutter sesh (and perhaps, a few storage bins) can’t fix. Find new homes for the following items that pro organizers say to banish, and get your entryway in tip-top shape.
Shoes You Don’t Use Often
Shoes on or off in the house may be a subject of debate, but here’s something that isn’t: Your family’s entire shoe collection does not belong in your entryway.
The solution: Sort through your shoes, and keep only the essentials that you’re using multiple times a week by your door. (Sneakers for your daily dog walk? Yes. Date night shoes? No.)
As for the rest? Out-of-season shoes (such as flip-flops in the winter, or boots in the summer) should be stored with the rest of your seasonal clothes. And stash those once-in-a-while shoes into your closet or a shoe storage unit in your bedroom or another out-of-the-way locale.
P.S. Consider shoe racks, baskets, or other solutions to help keep your shoe clutter under wraps.
Out-of-Season Outerwear
When you put away your sweaters or your swimsuits for the season, throw in the corresponding outerwear with it. Keeping your parka in the entryway all summer long takes up valuable space that can be better used for things that you’re using currently.
Mail and Packages
There’s a reason the entryway is called the “drop zone,” and that’s because most people end up dropping their mail, packages, and shopping bags here. “Mail and other paperwork tend to pile up fast and create visual clutter,” says Alicia Sokolowski, president and CEO of AspenClean. “They’re better sorted at a desk or in a designated office space.”
Consider placing a recycling bin right by the door to immediately trash junk mail—so it never darkens your entryway.
As for packages, make it a rule to unpack and distribute any items by the end of the day to avoid a Jenga-like pile of packages.
Excess Decor
The entryway, by design, isn’t a spot where you and your guests are destined to linger. So keep it simple—a nice piece of art or a decorative mirror, a pretty vase filled with flowers or a plant, and an attractive tray or box to hold sunglasses, keys, or other by-the-door items that you drop on your way in. Anything extra will just add to the visual clutter and leave less room for the essentials.
Lots of Bags
The bag situation can get out of control fast, says Katrina Teeple, founder and CEO of Operation Organization. “Entryways often become dumping grounds for totes, backpacks, and purses, especially when a new one gets grabbed each time someone heads out the door. Before you know it, you’ve got a pile of mystery bags hanging on every hook—each filled with forgotten snacks, receipts, or randomness.”
The solution: “Keep only the daily essentials here, and relocate the rest to designated spots inside your home,” Teeple says.
Have a glut of reusable grocery bags after you’ve forgotten them one too many times? Stash several in your car to avoid having to buy yet another one—and make returning them to the car immediately after unpacking the groceries a habit. (And if you have way too many bags, check in with local food pantries—many of them are all too happy to take them off your hands.)
Spare Keys and Valuables
Your entryway may seem like the perfect spot to store spare keys, so you can easily grab them when you can’t find your active pair. But Sokolowski explains that placing spare keys or other valuables right near the door may not be the best idea. “It’s common to leave spare keys near the door for convenience, but it’s not the most secure spot. Instead, keep your spare keys in a less obvious place or a locked key box.”
Things You Need to Return
Whether it’s a sack of library books or those not-for-you clothes you bought, they should never linger by the door. “I always say: returns belong in your car, not your entryway,” Teeple says. “That way, they’re with you when you’re actually out and about—whether it’s an impromptu stop at a store or a drive-by Amazon drop-off. Your entry should greet you with calm, not errands.”
Tips for Decluttering Your Entryway
If you’re already in this mess, it may take a little time and effort to pare everything back to the essentials. But just dedicating as little as 15 minutes a day to the decluttering effort will pay off in spades.
Rethink your entryway approach
With so many entryway storage solutions out there, it’s no wonder so many people end up stashing a lot of stuff there. But that’s a big mistake, Teeple says. “It’s not a storage space; it’s a transition zone.” So remove anything from it that isn’t an essential part of your transition from the outside world into your home.
Leave only the essentials
For the most effective decluttering, Sokolowski recommends starting with a clean slate by removing everything from the area, then only adding back the things that you use every day. “Usually, you end up with a few shoes, keys, coats, and maybe one bag per person. Everything else should be stored elsewhere.”
Create a home for each item
“Use baskets, wall hooks, or cubbies to give each item a defined place,” Sokolowski says. “If it doesn’t have a home, it probably doesn’t belong in the entryway.”
But more importantly, the items you’re removing need to find a proper home elsewhere in your house. “Store less-used shoes in bedroom closets, off-season gear in bins under the bed, and sports equipment in the garage or basement,” Sokolowski says. “Consider repurposing a hallway cabinet or linen closet for overflow items.”
For your daily or weekly reset, Teeple recommends using a “put-back basket.” “I use that to place items that don’t belong in the space I am tidying. This stops me from running through the house to put things away in the moment, which can get you distracted on another task.”
Keep up the decluttering habit
Making a small effort on a daily or weekly basis will help keep clutter in check—so you don’t have to do another big declutter session after you’ve already gotten your entryway in shipshape.
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