Project Clean Up 2017, Week 6: Foyer

Are you still keeping up with your cleaning? We are into week 6! 

Project Clean Up 2017, Week 6: Foyer

The entrance to your home is a very important area to organize. Forget that fancy smancy entryway with a gorgeous chandelier, this is the "real" entrance to your home. Where the kids kick off the shows, lay down the backpacks (you may call it a mudroom) Lots of people make their way in and out of this area so it always needs to be in top notch condition.

You may have a coat closet in this area or nearby. Are you using it to hang coats for yourself and guests or is it a dumping ground for what you are unsure of what to do with? You need to make a decision of what to do with these items as well!

Here is what you need to do this week:

___Gather up everything that does not belong in this area and sort items by family member. Make those family members responsible for their own items.

__Wash the throw rugs or replace them if they are too far gone.

___Place a wicker basket next to the door to collect shoes.

___ Sort non-clothing items in your hall closet. As you sort, decide if there is a better place for folding tables in chairs...basement maybe? Board games to the family room or toy area? Cleaning supplies to another closet? Put items where they will be most used and easily accessible. If there are items you don't use, sell, donate or toss them.

___ Now sort the clothing in the closet. Remove all coats, shoes and hats that you and your family members no longer wear for whatever reason (wrong size, don't like, no longer need) Donate or sell these items. If closet is still too full, you need to find new home for items, put things in seasonal storage or toss and donate more.

___ Install hooks or cubbies for each family member's coats and backpacks/bags and teach them to hang them in their own personal sport when they come in the door. Label the areas with each family member's name if necessary. Hang an umbrella or two on one of the hooks.

___ Place a Toss/Donate box, bin or hamper in the hallway closet if you have room.

___ If possible, place a bench or chair in your entryway for family members and guests to sit while they put on their shoes. As always when purchasing furniture, try to find something that includes storage so it multi-functions.

___ Stand in the middle of your mudroom and look around to see if every bit of wall space is being efficiently used. Do you have available wall space to add coat hooks. Could you fit in a storage unit to house school supplies, shoes and coats? Do it!

** Tips **

If your hall closet is so full you have trouble putting your coats away, you have too much and need to cut down. Try storing out-of-season coats and jackets in a storage bin or another closet if you have the room.

Keep a shelf clear in the hall closet for gifts you have on hand.

In the summer, keep a large tote near the door filled with sunscreen, beach towels, bug repellent, hats and swimming gear.

Add storage for umbrellas so that wet umbrellas are not dragged into the house. Decorative pails are a nice addition.
Use those corners! Corners are the most under used areas in a room.

Attach clothespins to a hanger to hang mittens and gloves to dry.

~Stay Organized~

Once a Month

___ Clean the windows on the entryway door.

___ Empty out the "shoe basket." Make each family member put away his or her own shoes. Shake out all loose dirt.

Every 3-6 Months

___ Empty your Toss/Donate box

Once a Year

___ Sort the coats in your hall closet. Donate any coats that no longer fit or have been replaced by a new coat. Do the same with hats and scarves. Toss gloves that are missing a mate or have holes.