Organizing your Front Entrance and Closet

First impressions are hard to ignore when you meet someone or when you enter someone’s home. That is why the home’s entrance (including the front closet) are so important to being tidy and presentable at all times. This is your home’s first impression to guests and they will judge the rest of your home based on their first step in the door!

If you can’t hang guests’ coats in the front closet for fear of what will jump out when you open the door then you may want to think about making this your next DIY organizing project. Often the front hall closet is a basic closet with a single hanging rod and a single shelf above the rod. Rethink this space. If the rod is too long and the things on the floor are piled as high as the rod then maybe cube shelving stacking along the side would be a good solution to organize the miscellaneous items that are crammed on the floor of the closet. Make use of vertical space in closets. This includes the doors too. Consider an over the door organizer to hold shoes, gloves, scarves, umbrellas, tools, etc. Keep only the “in-season” coats in the closet. Keep “out-of-season” coats in another closet or in a bin somewhere else in the home. This keeps the closet manageable so you have room for guests’ coats and the closet is not over crowded so you can always find your coat too!

In addition to the front closet the entrance way should be inviting to guests. Choose a color for the walls that sets a tone for your home, represents your family and most importantly it must be pleasing to the eye. You should not have to fumble for a light switch when you enter your house so consider putting a lamp on a timer so the space is always well lit for you and for guests. Don’t let mail pile up at the front door. Not only is this unsightly for guests to see it’s also inefficient. Check out this previous blog post on organizing your mail. Finally, consider hanging a mirror. Often the entry space is a small room or hall a mirror not only spreads light but makes the space feel larger. It’s also a great tool to check to make sure nothing is in your teeth before you greet your guests!

If you enter your home and you feel good (not stressed or overwhelmed) then it’s likely your guests will feel good too. Take a look at the entrance to your home. Organize the space and watch your guests’ faces light up as they enter your home!