Tips for an organized entryway

Mr: What we need is a system!

Me: We HAVE a system.

Mr: Well, it’s probably not a very good system if it isn’t working.

Me:

The source of this angst? I’m referring to the recent state of our back hallway/side door entrance.

And by “state,” I’m referring to boots, shoes, keys, winter gloves, mittens, a few assorted tools that haven’t been able to catch a return trip (six feet to the left) to the garage, sunglasses, face masks, nitrile gloves, breath mint containers, hand sanitizer.

Sometimes it’s a good thing to be living in a pandemic, because no one is visiting. However, if shoes are an indication, the current first impression when you enter our house is that we might be in the middle of hosting a very large party.

(actual shoes from an actual party)

What kind of system would YOU suggest? Perhaps a closet…like the one that is actually attached to the hallway.

A closet where every family member has a labeled basket for their scarves and mittens, and a bin for their shoes? Yes, perhaps a closet like that.

What about the keys, face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer?

Well, we have these two large boxes with empty drawers SPECIFICALLY placed in the hallway to hide our miscellanous pocket jetsam.

And when the keys had trouble finding their way inside the drawers, I thought, “Hey, perhaps a KEY TRAY” might be helpful,” so I placed one on each dresser.

I was half right…it might be helpful.

I’m not one to complain… BAHAHAHA! Of course I am! What I should say, is that I’m not one to be accused of excessive neatnik…ery, but when we have a messy entrance, it sets the tone for the rest of the house. You should at least be able to make it three feet past the door before being clutter smacked.

I will say this mostly tends to be a winter occurrence, and perhaps some of it does have to do with sloppy, snow-drenched footwear with rock salt stuck in the treads. And even though I manage to get a parka, boots, mittens and leash put away after letting the puppy out 853 times a day, it DOES seem to be an imposition to direct the other residents of this house to the closet, where pristine, newly purchased boot trays line the walls on the floor.

Speaking of the puppy, Roland is the one who has recently discovered a solution to our miscellany. He’s been relocating many of the items to other areas of the house, commandeering them as objets d’entertainment and, occasionally, as a food source..

Thinks mittens are delicious!

And voila! Just when you think you couldn’t teach old dogs new tricks…my “system” is once again starting to catch on!

Ahhhhhh….the clean!

If it’s the second Friday of the month, it’s time to see “Where Bloggers Live.” This month, we’re discussing our entryways. The welcome mats are rolled out, so please visit 

Bettye at Fashion Schlub
Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Leslie at Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After
Iris at Iris’ Original Ramblings
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Em at Dust and Doghair
Leslie at Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

Welcome to the monthly edition of Where Bloggers Live. It’s kind of like HGTV’s “Celebrities at Home,” but…Bloggers! Who doesn’t like to peek behind the scenes and see inside people’s homes? Over the next few months, a group of six bloggers will be sharing their workspaces, their homes, towns and more!

Make sure you visit everyone to see where the magic happens!

13 comments

  1. Your entry way is so pretty. There has to be a way to get the fam to cooperate. To keep it pretty and clutter-free. Although, I could say the same thing about our kitchen counter. Could be so pretty if I could just get PC to assist in keeping it clutter free. Bought him a little key holder-charging station-glasses stand, etc. But it is bogged down with masks and ink pens and papers and change and then keys and devices that are charging and glasses. Looks really messy. Maybe I could move all of that garbage to laundry room that we have to pass through from the garage into the house. Hmmm, going to work on that this week. Thank you!!

  2. Okay a) PUPPY. Kisses and hugs and scritches and head pats. Please pass along from me.

    b) I’m laughing at all the similarities in our posts this time.

    c) love your rabbits. I used to have a pretty good rabbit collection but…over the years and many moves…sigh.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Bettye
    https://fashionschlub.com

    1. I’m not sure I even need to actually write posts anymore. I just need to insert a picture of Roland and I’m home free. My gosh he’s changed so quickly…that puppy time is way too short!
      Also: a) will absolutely do. b) except your photos are actual works of art. c) got the rabbit gene from my mom, who also has a thing for mouse figurines, but that one escaped me.

    1. To be fair, he only gets mischievous with the shoes etc if I haven’t tired him out…but then it’s like a smorgasbord for him! All good, he keeps me moving!

  3. I freaking LOVE your hallway gallery!!! I’ve never seen one like that before! (I pinned it)

    Other things I freaking love: Your hallway lights, that dark wood dresser, Jack and Roland.

    And your clean entryway is pretty cool too. How did you get the people to comply? Did you need to threaten violence?

    1. Nope, no violence. I just let Roland eat their things.

      I love that you love my ledges. It’s one of the best things I ever did and is actually how some people have discovered my blog…so thank you for pinning. (You do know I have posts about them, right?) Either way, I’m currently making ledges now for my daughter. Look for an updated post (and an IG tutorial) VERY soon!

  4. A puppy…yes that’s what my entry way needs!!! You win again Em!!!

    It’s funny how the theme is more about what is wrong with the space this time, LOL!!
    Luckily I didn’t show the area where we come in from the garage….although we do have a place to hang keys and they end up there!!!
    The masks?? Ugh…I guess in all honesty I keep hoping it won’t be long until we can throw those out (who am I kidding)

    OXOX
    Jodie
    Thanks for the updated graphic…I”ll use it now.

    1. Can’t go wrong with a puppy Jodie!

      This side door is definitely our “landing strip”… sometimes I wonder why we even HAVE a front door!

      (I’m all for a mask burning party if ever we can get rid of them!)

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