What should I keep in my entryways?

What should I keep in my entryways?

Mary Astadourian (Professional Organizer) gives expert video advice on: What are entryways and why do they get so cluttered?; What is a 'mudroom'?; How can I organize my entryways? and more...

The important thing is that you want to only have things in your entryway that you're actually using. It's not a place to store every coat that you own. That's what a coat closet is for, or for all of your hats or all of your scarves, depending on where you live. You want to have things in your entryway that are things that you use on a regular basis. If you were going to go out and buy things, a little table might be nice, or some bowls or containers to put things in. If you don't have the space for that, you can always get something that you can hook into the wall, where you can hang your keys on it. It's a simple and inexpensive solution, as opposed to buying a piece of furniture. A simple coat rack or, if that's not workable, some hooks that you can hang a few coats on, or a few hats, so that you're not throwing things on the floor or just tossing things around. You want to keep it simple, perhaps a basket that you can put on the floor, to put your mail in, or to put your umbrellas in. Another great thing that people should keep in entryways are leashes for their pets or little poop bags, things like that. Maybe you want to have a little basket or something that you can throw those things into. That way, on your way out you're grabbing them, and on the way in you're putting them back.