Taming the Entryway

Creating a System That Works for the Whole Family

You walk in the front door and — bam — shoes, backpacks, coats, and random papers are everywhere. Before you’ve even had a chance to set down your keys, you’re already feeling overwhelmed. Sound familiar?

I was with a client recently who said, “Honestly, I feel like we need systems everywhere in this house.” And while that might be true, the area that was causing the biggest stress was the entryway. Every day, her family of four came through the door and dropped belongings wherever they landed. Shoes piled up, papers went missing, and mornings were chaos.

The truth is, the entryway is one of the most high-traffic zones in your home — and without a clear process, it quickly turns into a dumping ground. Not only does it create visual clutter, but it also adds to the mental load: Where are the shoes? Did we sign the permission slip? Why can’t we ever find the keys?

Solution
The good news? A few simple systems can completely change the energy of your entryway and set the tone for calmer mornings and smoother evenings. Here’s how:

1. Assign a “Landing Zone” for Each Family Member.

Mudrooms are my favorite - Think lockers, cubbies, or even labeled hooks and bins if lockers aren’t a possibility. The goal is that everyone has a specific place to drop their belongings the second they walk in — no excuses, no confusion.

2. Create a Paper Drop-Spot.

School forms, mail, and reminders often get lost in the shuffle. Set up one designated spot (a wall file, inbox tray, or folder) where all incoming papers go. That way, you know exactly where to look when you need them.

3. Contain the Shoes.

Instead of letting footwear scatter, use a basket per person under their locker or cubby system. Pro tip: limit each person to 2-3 pairs at the entryway and store the rest in their bedrooms or closets. This keeps the area from overflowing.

4. Add Daily-Use Hooks.

Coats, backpacks, and handbags need a quick grab-and-go spot. Hooks in each person’s locker or just on the wall if lockers are a possibility (at the right height for kids, too) keep things off the floor and easy to access.

5. Establish an End-of-Day Reset.

Every evening, take five minutes to reset the space. Have kids put shoes in bins, hang up their bags, and empty lunchboxes. A quick family reset prevents tomorrow’s stress.

6. Make It Inviting.

Add a touch of warmth — a rug, a family photo, or a small plant. When the entryway feels welcoming, it encourages everyone to keep it tidy.

Client Example Wrap-Up
With my client, the simple shift of turning their entryway into a mini-mudroom — with lockers for each family member — was a game changer. Instead of one big pile of everyone’s things, each person had ownership of their own space. The mornings became smoother, and the visual calm walking in the door instantly set a better tone for the whole house.

Your entryway doesn’t just catch your family’s stuff — it sets the stage for how you feel when you walk into your home. A few intentional systems can mean the difference between constant chaos and a smoother, calmer flow.

If you’re ready to reset your entryway (and the rest of your home), download my free CLARITY Guide. It’s filled with simple, actionable steps to help you create spaces that work for your real life — not against it.

Grab your free copy of the CLARITY Guide today and start building systems that stick.

Because when you have a process, you don’t just organize your space — you free up your mind.