THE ENTRY: First Impressions
The entry hall is the transition point between the outside world and your inner haven. The entry should create not only a good first impression on guests but also engender a positive feeling in anyone who uses it regularly. With a little organization, even the most cramped and chaotic entryway can be transformed so that it welcomes you home with open arms.
Things every entryway should have:
- A landing strip, including a place for keys;
- A place to hang coats;
- Containers for scarves, hats and gloves;
- Boot and shoe storage;
- A place to sit.
What is a landing strip??? A landing strip is a designated place in your entryway, and the one-and-only place, where those important items you use every day – wallet, cell phone, keys, subway or bus pass – can land upon entering your home. It can be a table, shelf or any flat surface. The purpose of the landing strip is to capture these important items so that you can easily locate them when you leave. A well-placed (and well-used) landing strip will ensure that these crucial items don’t migrate elsewhere, which may result in a frantic search on the way out the door.
What if I don’t have a hall closet??? If you have the space, an entryway organizer or armoire can serve as a stand-alone closet. Otherwise, a storage bench with a cushioned seat offers a place to sit to put on or take shoes, while baskets underneath store outerwear such as scarves, gloves and hat. Hang coats and bags on a coat rack or wall hooks near the front door. Try staggering hooks at different heights to spread out the bulkiness of coats. Keep only frequently worn coats in the entryway, storing special occasion coats elsewhere. Mount a shelf above a row of hooks and put rectangular baskets on top to contain leashes and other dog-walking essentials, a lint brush or small umbrellas. Keep dog leashes and collars ready to go on hooks near the door or inside the closet. Keep a dog brush and a favorite tennis ball in an over-the-door organizer. Assign a pocket for plastic poop bags too.
Entry hall chairs or bench may seem old-fashioned, but they make a lot of sense. Whether you use an actual chair or a bench or even a stool, the idea is to have a place to sit when putting on and taking off footwear. Taking shoes off prevents dirt from being tracked through the house. Choose a piece of furniture that fits your decor.
If footwear clogs your entryway, two things are required: adequate storage and a limit on how many pairs of shoes each family member can store there. Try placing shoe cubbies in an entry closet or along a wall. Wet shoes and boots need a landing place. Rubber grids on top of a drip tray will elevate footwear to ensure that it won’t sit in a puddle of dirty water.
With these tips, everything make easy to find what you need!!!
THE ENTRY: First Impressions
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