Heavy-traffic spaces in the home tend to attract clutter more heavily than others. Front halls and mudrooms are prime examples. Regain control of the space with some of these ways to organize an entryway.

Hang It

Keys, coats, and bags fit better on hooks than on rods. Take a critical look at your wall space in the entryway—blank wall space is ripe for creating organization. Get creative by staggering rows of hooks for shorter or longer items.

Sort It

You bring stuff into the house when you arrive, and you take stuff with you when you leave. You can sort mail, loose change, pens, and seasonal items such as sunscreen and gloves into convenient bowls, baskets, or racks atop a small table or in cubbies. Keep things you may forget when you’re in a hurry visible but organized so that you don’t spend precious minutes sorting through a junk drawer for your eyeglasses when time is of the essence. Sort mail by urgency and utility—bills in one section, coupons in another.

Stow It

There’s no reason to have your winter boots getting underfoot during the summer when all you’re wearing are flip-flops or sneakers. If you have the space, invest in a good storage bench or create a shelf above your wall hooks with cubbies or decorative bins in which to stow off-season coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, and scarves. Umbrellas and walking canes make attractive and compact hall décor if properly organized into attractive stands. These are items you may use often, so having them handy by the door saves you time.

Donate It and De-Door It

Digging out the front hall closet can lead to some surprising discoveries, such as coats that kids outgrew years ago or hats you never wear. Shovel out that closet and separate the contents into keep, donate, and trash piles. Don’t give away coats that are dirty, torn, or missing buttons; you can recycle those at a facility that accepts textiles.

Once you clear out the closet, turn it into an attractive, visible space by removing the door and adding a small bench with cubbies beneath. Hooks can replace a rod as long as you leave enough head room above the bench. Finish it off with a high shelf for storage. Beadboard adds a cottage touch, and light-colored paint gives the nook a fresh look. This way of organizing your entryway will encourage you to keep clutter to a minimum daily. An attractive entryway welcomes you and your family and creates a positive first impression of your home for visitors.