Day 2: Entryway
What better place to start our challenge than at the first place we see when we walk in? I don’t know how it works in your home, but that area right inside our front door tends to be the dumping ground for everything—shoes, purses, backpacks, umbrellas, lunchboxes, school papers, random toys and pretty much anything else that comes through our door. Thus, it is a little disheartening to walk inside and immediately see a pile of clutter!
Today’s assignment will help clear the clutter that tends to pile up in this zone and instead help create a clear, organized, and super-functional space that sets the standard for a clutter-free home.
Objective: A clear entryway that sets the tone for the rest of the home.
Assess the space: What needs to stay, what needs to go? Do we use it here? Does it have a home here? Is this the most convenient space for this object to stay.
Assignment:
1. Clear the unnecessary-Get rid of anything that does not belong in this area or add to the functionality of this area.
2. Create space for the necessary:
- Shoes/Boots—consider using a pretty shoe rack, baskets, or boot tray to store and contain the shoes or boots that tend to collect in this area.
- Coats—make sure the coat closet is free and clear of clutter and contains sturdy hangers for hanging coats. If there is not closet, provide sturdy hooks or a free-standing coat rack.
- Purses/Backpacks—sturdy hooks on the wall or placed on the back of a coat closet door make ideal storage for purses and backpacks.
- Keys—small hooks, a pretty bowl, or an actual key rack are perfect for eliminating misplaced keys.
- Umbrellas—a pretty umbrella stand or even a tall, sturdy vase is ideal for storing umbrellas until you need them.
- Collection basket or baskets—it is handy to have a basket or set of baskets right at the entry to store and collect any stray items that need to be put away.
Ruth Soukup
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i rec’d day 1 email but not day 2 so i signed up again…i see other people are having similar issues..is there something wrong on LWSL end? Mahalo for your blog!
Hi Ruth – I signed up for the daily emails for the challenge, received the confirmation email, a few test emails in Sept, but nothing yet in October. Where do I go from here? Do I need to sign up again? Thanks.
I signed up to be part of the challenge but I have not yet started receiving emails. I signed up on the 28th i think and confirmed the email that was sent to me. Am I supposed to be seint emails? I singed up again just now just in case.
I love your blog!!!
Thanks!
~Tisha
I am doing your 31 Day Challenge along with A Bowl Full Of Lemons 31 Day Purge. Hopefully, by October 31st, I will have one spectacular home! Question: I don’t have the funds or purchase things like a console table, cute baskets/bins, etc.. Any suggestions on how I can create a nice entryway, anyway?
That’s a great question Katlin! Do you have any tables or furniture in other areas of your home that you could possibly move around? You could also check out Craigslist or Ikea for an inexpensive options, or if you or someone you know is fairly handy, you could even try building a simple shelf with hooks or a simple console table. Ana White has some great free plans:
http://ana-white.com/2013/09/storage-shelf-hooks
http://ana-white.com/2013/09/plans/updated-simplest-console
Dollar Tree has some great storage baskets for a $1. I use them throughout my kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, etc. For $20 you can have enough to maintain numerous spaces!
Kaitlyn, I’m ne same boat with money. 🙂 Sometimes I think it makes it harder to get rid of things knowing you can’t buy new things or replace things. I have found that dollar tree has lots of containers and buns and baskets. They are had cute as pier one or other sites but they are functional and only one dollar. I also got sets of his for coats and dress ups. You might want to look into it. 🙂 Good luck!
Sorry I spelled your name wrong. I couldn’t see the spelling on my phone.
That is so, true April! It can be harder to get rid of things when you know you can’t buy new stuff. Also, I second your recommendation to try Dollar Tree. They have great containers for only $1.
To get by until you can get your “ideal” storage, you could use regular cardboard boxes covered in paper or even fabric. I saw once somebody covered diaper size boxes with fabric and they were super cute!
I recommend checking for a Buy Nothing Facebook Group for your area. In this group, you can post for things you want to find or give away, as well as see what personhood area are in search of or giving.
Thank you so much for hosting this fun party, Ruth – and for featuring my entryway! Such an honor! Have a great week!