21 Quick Wins To Fix A Cluttered Entryway For Good

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What Stops Happening After This Article:

  • Shoes stop piling up by the door every single day
  • Mail no longer gets lost or mixed with junk
  • Morning exits feel faster because everything has a clear spot

1. Remove All Shoes From The Floor And Keep Only Daily Pairs

Shoes stack up fast near the door, especially when 4 people each leave 2 pairs out like it’s a mini shoe store, babe.

Start Small With This: Pick up every shoe by the door right now and leave out only the pairs worn this week, then move the rest to a closet or bin.

This gets easier if you use a stackable shoe rack to keep pairs upright and off the floor.

2. Place A Small Basket For Mail Right By The Door

Mail turns into a paper mountain when it lands on the table, the bench, and somehow the floor too, girl.

Here’s What To Do: Set one small basket on your entry table and drop all mail in that one spot as soon as it comes inside.

It will feel so simple if you try a woven mail basket to give every envelope a home.

3. Add Wall Hooks For Coats And Bags

Coats and backpacks love to land on chairs and stay there for 3 days straight.

Try This Way: Install 3 to 5 wall hooks at kid height and adult height so everyone hangs their own stuff the second they walk in.

You can make this easier if you use heavy duty wall hooks to hold bags without bending or falling.

4. Clear Off The Entry Table Completely

That tiny table by the door collects random things like sunglasses, receipts, and loose change.

The Easy First Step Is: Remove everything from the surface and put back only one tray or bowl for daily grab items.

This feels easier if you use a decorative catchall tray to keep small things contained in one spot.

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5. Keep Only One Jacket Per Person In The Entryway

When 5 jackets hang for one person, the rack starts looking like a coat store clearance rack.

Here’s A Quick Way: Choose the one jacket each person is using this week and move the rest into a bedroom closet.

This takes less time if you use slim velvet hangers to keep the coats neat and close together.

6. Store Out Of Season Shoes In A Closet

Boots in summer and flip flops in winter just eat up space by the door.

Consider This: Box up off season shoes and slide them into a closet shelf or under a bed today.

It will take less time if you use clear plastic storage bins so you can see what is inside later.

7. Put A Tray Down For Keys And Wallets

Keys get tossed anywhere when there is no clear landing spot.

Give This A Try: Place one small tray by the door and make it the only place keys and wallets can go.

This is faster when you use a wooden key tray to stop the daily key hunt.

8. Remove Broken Umbrellas And Old Reusable Bags

That corner with 6 broken umbrellas and 12 crumpled grocery bags is not helping anyone, bestie.

To Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed: Toss any umbrella that does not open right and keep only 2 reusable bags by the door.

This gets easier if you use a slim umbrella stand to keep only the good ones upright.

9. Add A Slim Shoe Rack Against One Wall

Shoes scattered on the floor make the entry feel smaller than it is.

The Easier Approach Is: Slide a narrow shoe rack against the wall and line up daily pairs instead of stacking them in piles.

It will be way faster if you use a narrow 3 tier shoe organizer to give every pair its own spot.

10. Keep The Floor Clear Before Bed Each Night

A messy entry at night turns into a stressful rush in the morning.

One Easy Reset Is: Spend 5 minutes before bed picking up shoes, bags, and trash so the floor is clear for tomorrow.

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This is less annoying when you use a small laundry basket to quickly gather items that belong upstairs.

11. Toss Old Receipts And Random Paper Right Away

Loose paper builds up faster than you think and makes the space look messy.

Start This Way: Stand by the trash can and sort the entry mail pile now, keeping only what you truly need.

You can make this easier to finish if you use a small paper shredder for sensitive papers.

12. Hang Backpacks On Hooks Instead Of Chairs

Chairs by the door turn into backpack holders instead of seats.

Here’s A Simpler First Move: Add one hook per child and make it a rule that backpacks never touch the floor.

You could get it done faster if you try adhesive wall hooks that stick without drilling.

13. Use A Bench With Storage Underneath

Shoes shoved under random furniture look messy and get lost.

If You’re Not Sure Where To Start: Swap a plain bench for one with storage inside so shoes hide but stay close.

It will be so much easier if you use a storage bench with lift top to keep clutter out of sight.

14. Limit Decorative Items To One Or Two Pieces

Too many decor pieces in a small entry make it feel crowded fast.

To Make This Feel Less Heavy: Remove all decorations and put back only one plant or one frame that you love.

This feels easier if you use a floating wall shelf to lift decor off the main surface.

15. Move Pet Leashes And Gear Into One Container

Pet stuff spreads out when it does not have one clear home.

The Most Doable Way Is: Place a small bin near the door and drop leashes, waste bags, and collars inside it only.

You could keep it simple if you use a labeled storage bin to hold all pet gear in one place.

16. Remove Items That Belong In Other Rooms Immediately

Random toys, socks, and water bottles love to hang out by the door.

Start By Doing This Instead: Grab everything that does not belong in the entry and carry it to the right room right now.

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This takes less time if you use a rolling utility cart to move multiple items in one trip.

17. Add A Small Trash Can Near The Door

Junk mail and snack wrappers land on the table when there is no trash nearby.

Use This Simple Trick: Place a small trash can in the entry so paper gets tossed the second it comes inside.

It will feel less stressful if you try a slim step trash can that fits tight spaces.

18. Keep Only One Hat And One Scarf Per Person

Extra hats and scarves pile up fast even in warm weather.

Here’s A Gentle Way To Start: Pick one hat and one scarf per person to hang near the door and move the rest to a closet bin.

This gets faster if you use over the door hooks to keep accessories neat and off furniture.

19. Wipe Down The Entry Surface Once A Week

Dust and crumbs build up and make even a clean space look messy.

The Easy Starting Point Is: Grab a cloth every Sunday and wipe the entry table and bench in under 2 minutes.

This is faster when you use a microfiber cleaning cloth set to swipe and go.

20. Keep A Donation Bag In The Closet

Clutter comes back when there is no easy way to remove extra stuff.

To Make This Feel More Doable: Hang one donation bag in the nearby closet and drop items inside whenever they no longer belong.

You could do it with less work if you use a heavy duty reusable tote bag for quick drop offs.

21. Reset The Entryway For Five Minutes Each Evening

Even the neatest entry gets messy after a busy day, babe.

If You Want To Keep It Easy: Set a 5-minute timer each night and return every item to its spot before heading to bed.

You can make this faster if you use a digital kitchen timer to keep the reset short and focused.


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Lily Thompson

Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: making life easier and sharing what works. I created ''Like Mom Said'' after one too many moments of realizing: "My mom was right about this." Turns out, a lot of that old-school wisdom still holds up... it just needs a modern spin. Think of me as your friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand.)