October 12, 2015
Cleaning and Organizing the Entryway for the Holidays
The holidays are coming and now is a great time to prepare the entryway for the holidays. Whether it’s just welcoming neighbors in for trick-or-treating or hosting a holiday with family and friends, there are a couple things you can do now to get your entryway ready for the holidays.
TIPS FOR A CLEAN + ORGANIZED ENTRYWAY
- CLEAN IT UP: sweep the outside entry area first and shake out any rugs. Then start on the inside by cleaning the rug or carpet at the door, wipe down the front door, clean windows, vacuum and wash the floor, and tidy up your coat closet if you have one.
- ADD STORAGE: make sure you have a place to hang coats – add hangers and a coat rack if necessary.
- CONTAIN: baskets and bins are great for storing items in a coat closet – take inventory and add baskets if necessary.
- GARMENT KIT: put together a kit for clothing and shoe care – perfect for any guest mishaps and it’s accessible for you as well. I like to always have a couple lint rollers and sweater shavers on hand too. Lint rollers aren’t just for clothing – I use them to dust lampshades and they work great on furniture as well.
- SLIPPERS + SOCKS: have slippers and socks for guests to slip on – this will nicely ask your guests to remove shoes (without asking) and make them feel right at home at the same time. I store this in my coat closet and pull it down when necessary before guests arrive. (Slippers are from Target 🙂 )
ellen ross Says
I need the pendant scarf hanger for all our scarves!
Penny Says
I love what you do to make a guest fill welcome, it is wonderful idea, and it keeps your floor clean at the same time, love it and thank you.
Shirlee Says
I would love to know where you get the slippers/socks for your guest? I struggle with how to ask folks to kindly remove their shoes!
April V Says
I love the 8-clip handbag/purse storage!
Ashley Says
I LOVE the idea of slippers! I might have to search some out! Thanks!
Dottie Says
I would love to have a entry way. We literally step into the living room from the front door. About all I can do is lay a small rug. I love the slipper sock basket !
Molly B Says
The “oops” kit for guests is such a great idea! Once I spilled coffee down my shirt before going to a friend’s house–we were going to a theater performance and I was bummed. that kit would have been so helpful!
Kim Says
The dry cleaning kit alternative is such a great idea. I like to be able to freshen things up with out the cost of the dry cleaners.
Marie D. Says
Great tips that seem so small yet we don’t think about them! i am in LOVE with those bins too! Thanks for all the great info Clean Mama!!
Christy Says
Since we don’t have an official entryway, I could use something like the Timber Cabinet to store those multiplying shoes at the entry of our home. It looks nice and could hides the shoes neatly inside. I love the closet organizing supplies you use also!
Julie Wagner Says
What a great giveaway! I too use lint rollers for more than fabric. I quilt, and always have one in my cart as its great for picking up lint scraps from ironing boards and even under my machine.
Hallie tessendorf Says
I love the umbra Imelda stackable shoe rack. We are getting new floors and I want to start asking guests to leave the floors at the door. This will help a lot!
Debbie F Says
Lots of great tips and neat things. I’d love to get a few of them.
Deb Says
Love so many things. The scarf hanger would be great for here. Thanks so much for the wonderful ideas!
Ava O Says
Would love the coat tree since we have a split foyer. No real closet, just a small table there now. A coat tree would be handy to hang our bags and coats.
Also, the contest link above to the Organization Store is wrong. It took me to a health site. I also didn’t know where to post after googling the Organization Store, so I’m posting here.
Becky Says
Post authorAll fixed, thanks Ava 🙂
Karen Says
I LOVE the wire baskets!! Great IDEAS!! I need scarf organizer. I love the socks (where did you get yours from?).
Denise Jensen Says
Our entry closet is a mess. I love the 6 shelf hanging organizer – you could add some fabric drawers/bins and have a seperate drawer for each persons gloves/mittens, hats etc. It seems like we are forever searching for a matching pair because they are all thrown in together.
Stacie Gorkow @SincerelyStacie Says
I need that sneaker spray! With football, cross country, soccer and basketball players, our mudroom constantly smells!
Tarah Says
I would love the STORAGE SHELF WITH 6 SMALL BASKETS, 3-TIER
Rana Durham Says
the pendant scarf hanger because i love scarves and need something to hang up all my scarves with .
Kim Villasenor Says
I don’t have a dedicated entryway, I would love to have a bench to sit and remove shoes or put them on. The sneaker spray is a great idea. Need to update my rug too.
muriel Says
We need a new shoe rack. Ours just broke.
Carolyn Says
Great variety of baskets, but I actually do love the wire ones!
Note: The link took me to a site that locked my computer and urged me to call an info number for help with a virus. Oops!
Becky Says
Post authorCarolyn,
Which link? I haven’t been able to duplicate that.
helen Says
It’s the link on the last step of the rafflecopter. Feel free to email me if you need more info. I only took a screenshot of what I can see without clicking again on the link to the organizing store.
helen Says
I got that same link but don’t want to click on it again to duplicate it and take a screen shot. The page was labeled SYSTEM ERROR.
Melanie Says
Ooh, this sounds nice!
Heather Says
I am going to go organize my closet right now!
Lori Says
Great idea! I do really need to purge out teeny tiny coat closet!
Angela McMillan Says
I need more room. 😉 Actually, cute baskets would really help.
Alla Says
Wonderful ideas, I really enjoy reading your posts because they are full of great ideas. One thing i got from this post is that I need to buy some lint rollers!
helen Says
The closet and the shoe area probably needs the most work for the entryway. Someone else has a huge shoe collection in this house, and it’s not me nor my child!
Jessica [Havok] Says
I think I would need that stackable shoe rack! I’m not sure on their naming convention, but I believe it was called Umbra Imelda (though not sure if that’s a brand and name or something – no idea, ha!). We have enough shoes that just laying them by the door is too messy, but not really enough for a full-size shoe rack, so something that allows for more options is most welcome!
I’ve had the same problem with the giveaway link, though. The link for the Organizing store highlights to be “your-url-here.com” – first time it sent me to a department in Sears…second time it took me to one of those buy-this-site/site-cannot-be-found-search-results pages. Not sure how it took me two different places, but it is definitely not working properly.
belinda Says
Great inspiration!
Amy Says
I need so many of those gorgeous copper baskets!
Kajal Says
I would love the shoe rack! We don’t waer shoes in the house so it would be a great place for us and guests to leave their shoes.
Kayla D Says
I would love the small African handmade basket to store scarves and gloves!
Ali celesino Says
The wire baskets so many uses for those!!
Donna Says
Love the copper baskets! I have never seen them anywhere else.
Karen S. Says
Love this post!!
Aimee O. Says
I would LOVE either #1, 2, or 3. They look like any of them would be a great spot for shoe/slipper storage to keep my entryway nice and neat. love the pics – and your site it’s very inspiring! so glad I found you on pinterest!
manda Says
I need those baskets.
donna Says
The entry at my home is very small and I need storage bins badly! I bought some last year and they are not right for the area.
Talia Says
LOL! What I really need to organize our entryway is to have my whole home organized. There is no storage in this house and the over flow from the other rooms makes its way into the entryway/livingroom. Right now I have three 50lb bags of feed, totes of framed photos (we took them down to paint in the spring) and other bits and bobs sitting in a pile just inside my door. :sigh: The life on a small farm in a tiny box style home that seriously has no closets or real cabinets.
Theresa Says
Love these tips!
Erin Roth Says
The Korsa Console Table is delicious! That would really help my entry be perfect 🙂
Alena Says
Love all your posts! This isa wonderful way to make a home inviting to all! Thank you.
Karen Exarchakis Says
Thanks for the giveaway. Can’t post on the other site. Love the copper baskets.
Heather B Says
Living in a small apartment, I have a tiny linoleum square that is my entryway. I need a small shelf system to keep by the door to use as a launching pad for the next day (keys, purse, lunchbox, etc.).
Ashley Says
I love the uniform bottles for garment care!
anita roth Says
I so enjoy your blog posts !!!!!!!!! I also love all the products that I have bought from you!
Karen J Says
I need a small shelf and a narrow bench. The baskets would be great for hats, gloves and slippers or in my case, my flip flops.
Lo Says
Never thought of a coat tree for our closet-less entry. It could be grounded with a basket of slippers — love the slippers! It would also be very nice to add a chair. So now I need to figure out placement / arrangement that could accommodate these items. Thought provoking and helpful post — thank you.
DeAnn B. Says
What a great website! I never heard of this one. My entryway really could use that Double Tree Coat Rack and a copper bin to throw shoes in when guests come in the house. Thanks!
Carma Says
Our entryway is a large open space so I’m not sure where to put a table or basket. I love the shelf dividers for the closet.
Alison Hartzler Says
Thanks for such great tips! Love your ideas and blog!
Lisa Flinders Says
I just love your posts. Thanks so much for your inspiration.
Katie Says
We are in the process of installing closet organizers in all of our closets…great tips!
GinnyLou Says
Those copper baskets would be a great start!
Amie Says
Such great inspiration and ideas! I love the cooper baskets! We don’t have an entryway closet but an old antique hutch. Hmmm… Trying to think of a good way to incorporate this.. Thank you !
LouAnn Says
I LOVE the ideas, and great reminder to get my entry way spiffed up before the holidays. I love the copper baskets and would totally use them in my craft room which is the first room you see from the entry!
Lakes Ramey Says
I love all of your ideas! I love the slipper idea but not sure if my guests would know they were meant for them! Lol I’ll try it out for sure!!
Andrea W Says
I need some baskets for gloves and hats.
deb Says
The baskets are a great idea, must do that soon but also I love the drop front shoe boxes, a must for us this year now that we have a young pup who likes to chew our shoes!
Angie Zarzana Says
I love the slipper and socks idea!
Kelly Espinoza Says
I could really use some of the Signature Slim Coat Hangers for my entry closet. I will be hosting Thanksgiving this year and we just moved into our home and we don’t have any extra coat hangers – either they are still in a box somewhere or we have use every last hanger in the house!! 🙂
Becca Z Says
I need the gorgeous Lina Tall Console in Walnut to get my condo’s entryway organized. It has a unique look which is what I always go for.
Nova Says
I LOVE the Sutton, Natural and the Woven storage boxes. I could use those in so many places since they are really nice looking besides being practical. Thank you for the great giveaways!
Meghan Says
The Leo Wicker/Wire Storage Baskets would be wonderful!
Robin Says
Love the black Umbra sticks wall-mount rack. It would be lovely to be able to disguise coat hooks during the seasons they are left empty.
Debra S Says
WHOA I almost did NOT find this page to comment, there was an entry form on another page! Whew.
LOL I wish I had some more shelves in my entryway… my back door entry/mud/coat room. Oh boy I NEED some help in there.
Crystal Says
Too many things on their site to choose from. 🙂 I love the woven baskets to hold hats/mittens for the kiddos.
Jensine Says
That entryway looks amazing! I would love to have some kind of cubby system in my entryway.
Rachel Mondie Says
I love these ideas!!! I will be sure to checkout the Organizing Store.
Neola Says
These look very interesting and I would love to try them!
DJ Says
I would love the COPPER WIRE BASKET, SMALL.
carol clark Says
The Leo Wicker/Wire Storage Baskets i always need storage and this style i love
Bri D. Says
I love the Leo Wicker storage baskets!
Julita K R Says
Those baskets would be great for slippers at the door and cold weather accessories too!!! Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
Taynia Says
Big fan of you both. And those copper baskets…..
Lora Says
what a great idea – a garment care kit in the entryway!
Amanda Roby Says
I could use some new catch all baskets, like the Black Eyelet Totes, (which come in a set of two!) for toys. We don’t have much of an entry, since our door opens up into our living room. The kids toys are collected in baskets next to the door, and our current baskets are structurally great but clash with the rest of the room. These black baskets would blend into the background of an otherwise bright and colorful room. (It helps that the price is incredible – I think these are going on my autumn purchase wish list.)
Diane Coto Says
Hi – I just started following your website yesterday. I just tried your carpet spot cleaning trick (vinegar / baking soda). Worked so well!! 🙂 THANKS!!
Janet N. Says
Love the Industrial Sideboard, Buffet & Cart – Fort Mason, Distressed/Natural.
Jennie Says
The Umbra Flip wall mounted hooks would work perfectly for our guests jackets!
julie n. Says
The slimline hangers with clips would be awesome ! Perfect for the winter coats/jackets/ scarfs/ gloves etc! and love the slimline effect,,, makes the closet look and feel not as full!
Amy W Says
and this is why your blog has become one of my favorites… i would have NEVER thought to have a garment care kit on hand, let alone in the entryway. seriously, thank you for all that you do on this blog.
Lisa J Says
I would love the Storage Bench with Fabric Baskets.
Enizete Lane Says
My closet need to be a little more organized; some baskets and scarf rangers, or some garment organizer would be a blessing…..
amy Says
You have beautiful pictures. I would like the closet storage ideas with the bins (shoes) and baskets (all the other misc items). Thank you!
Jennifer Essad Says
this is what I would like to see in our entry area: TIMBER HALL-CONSOLE TABLE WITH DRAWERS, CHEVRON INDIGO BONE WALL MIRROR, BONE/GLASS and the LUMBRA LANTERN great for walking me out to the drive and mailbox
Marjorie Mendenhall Says
Love the copper baskets.
Nicole N Shatzel Says
Hi Becky, I organize and cleaning for a living and you inspire me everyday! One of your posts got me to try Murchison-Hume and I love it! The copper baskets would look great in my client’s kitchen. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Eva D Says
basket for shoes. I ask visitors to remove their shoes and I need an organized spot to put them
Amy Marner Says
Because our entryway is so small, shelving for all of our shoes would be wonderful 🙂
smfsprout Says
I love the coat tree. I wish I had room for one in my foyer.
Ada Miller Says
I love storage items because I’m obsessed with being organized and you know the only way to do that is storage products. We recently moved which means most of my storage items that I already have doesn’t work in our new place and that stuff is expensive so I still working on getting everything organized and stored in its right place. To get started I at least need a couple of CAMBRIDGE OVER THE DOOR 6 HOOK RACK, CHROME, and WIRE STORAGE BASKET – COOL GRAY, MEDIUM in a variety of sizes really.
Natalie Lloret Says
My entryway closet is very small so I need some storage baskets to maximize space.
Cassandra Says
My entryway is pretty bare, I would love to eventually get a bench with shoe storage underneath to make it easier for family to take of their shoes. Mud prints on carpets are a pain! 🙂
Wehaf Says
I need something to keep our mail organized, like the UMBRA CUBBY MAIL & KEY ORGANIZER, ESPRESSO but what I really want is a new mail box for outdoors, like the UMBRA POSTINO MAILBOX.
Lauren Greenwood Says
I need a storage bench with baskets underneath!
Teresa Says
I love the idea of using lint rollers on lamp shades; however, it seems to me that the sticky residue from the rollers would build up on the shades. When I used to clean a woman’s house, she asked me to use these rollers on her upholstery. I noticed that there was a build up and assumed it was from her overuse of these rollers. Have you noticed this happening on your furniture or other items?
Christin Says
I need a console table!
latanya Says
I like the Storage Shelf with 6 Small Baskets, 3-Tier
Courtney Says
I need a shoe rack like the Umbra Imelda Stackable Shoe Rack!!
jessica Says
I love all your ideas love the baskets I’m going to try them all when I get the money to buy everything thanks for what you do you are so great thanks again
Pat Says
Great tips…thank you!