Preparing Your Entryway for Summer Activities

Summer is full of quick dashes out the door — swimming lessons, park days, road trips, errands, you name it. And if your entryway is a dumping ground for shoes, school bags, unopened post and random clutter, every trip out starts with unnecessary stress.

Organising your entryway before the season kicks off can make your day-to-day life smoother, especially when you’re juggling kids, sun cream, and a packed calendar.

Clear the Floor First

Shoes, bags and anything else on the floor are a trip hazard and a visual mess. Start by clearing everything out and only putting back the essentials.

You might only need:

• One or two pairs of shoes per person

• A basket for hats, sunglasses and masks

• Hooks for daily bags or backpacks

If you’ve got storage for off-season items like boots or umbrellas, now’s the time to move them out of sight.

Create Summer-Ready Zones

Set up zones to suit how your family uses the space:

• Grab-and-go basket: For SPF, sunglasses, bug spray, reusable water bottles

• Key drop spot: A bowl, tray or small hook to avoid the daily key hunt

• Mail and documents: A folder or tray to collect school notes, post and forms

• Shoe zone: A simple rack or mat to limit the number of shoes at the door

Label things if needed — especially if you live with teenagers or flatmates.

Wall Space Is Your Friend

If floor space is tight, make use of your walls:

• Hooks for bags, keys, dog leads

• Hanging organisers with pockets for each family member

• Floating shelves for baskets and bits

You don’t need a big hallway to make it functional — just some clever use of vertical space.

Keep It Light and Breezy

Summer means heat — and sweaty shoes. Add a shoe deodoriser or natural freshener to keep odours in check. A reed diffuser or essential oil spray can help the space feel welcoming.

Swap out heavy rugs or mats for lighter, washable versions that can handle sandy feet and pool water.

If you’re in an apartment, think about how your entryway flows from the front door in — it might just need a quick tidy and a slimline shoe cabinet to work better.

Keep the Clutter Away with Habits

Get into a quick daily routine of resetting the space:

• Shoes back on the rack

• Post opened and binned or filed

• Bags unpacked and prepped for the next day

It only takes a few minutes and keeps the area from becoming a black hole of clutter.

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A tidy entryway isn’t just about aesthetics — it sets the tone for your whole home. And when you’re heading out in 45-degree heat, anything that saves time and effort is a win.