An Organized Entry

It was so fun to help a client get started on a hall organizing project this month. Closets can easily get overstuffed, so spring and fall are great times to take another look at what’s hiding in there.

Tips from this entryway makeover:

• See what’s really in the closet: the client pulled everything out and sorted the items into different categories.

• Clean out the excess: next the client decided what to keep, what to donate.

• Use containers: the client used bags and bins (ones she already had!) on the closet’s high shelf to contain the less-used categories, such as helmets, snow shoes, and skates.

• Use the vertical space: between the closet and the stairs there was just enough room for the client to add a thin but tall set of cubes with pull out bins. She labeled the bins with the most-used categories of stuff, such as her exercise gear.

She loves her revitalized new entry space and the best part: the whole family is able to find what they need AND put it away.

Get Rid of the Front Door Shoe Pile

How do I deal with all the shoes? It's one of the top questions I hear from clients. If you have piles of shoes by your front door, here are some tips and products to try:

First, reduce the pile of shoes by the door. Keep only the pairs you wear regularly by the door, the rest need to go into your clothing closet or other area. This may mean keeping only 2-3 pairs per person in your house. 

Next, find the right storage solution:

• Several clients have had good luck with the slim IKEA shoe cabinet. It's small enough to fit in even the narrowest of hallways. 
• A shelf can be practical, but be sure it is sturdy wood or metal with at least two levels and that your shoes can fit the shelves. Don't get a shelf that snaps together as they tend to not hold up.
• Try this modern rack for shoes and accessories, and can even accommodate heels 
• For kids shoes, this caddy keeps 3 pairs upright, making it easier for any child to find the shoes they need.

Make it routine: If you have a new place for shoes, be sure to tell your family and help make using the new container routine. Here's a creative reminder a client used with her family. 

Backpack Storage

Problem: Your child's backpack ends up all over the house...in the kitchen, in the living room, near the shoes, but never in the same spot. 

Solution: Give the backpack a "home," a set storage place where it goes every day once it is unpacked. Yes, every day. This is a routine even young elementary school students can master. Even if you don't have a dedicated mudroom, you can find a place for the backpack. 

Backpack storage ideas:

• Give it a "drop spot" by using a basket placed on the floor. My 8th grader has been using this basket for her backpack since Kindergarten. Even when we were in the midst of a long home renovation project and the basket was relocated to a new spot, it was a visual cue for where to put her backpack.
• Use a hook, at the correct height for your child to reach. 
• Stash it in a cubby. Many homes have built-in cubbies, but make sure your child can reach it.