Here are some ideas on how we organised our small entryway into a functional space where the entire family can get ready with ease.
For parents with young children, getting ready can be a challenging process. It often involves juggling multiple tasks to make sure everyone has their essentials. From finding shoes to applying sunscreen or a mosquito patch, every little task count.
A well-organised entryway can help everyone locate what they need quickly and make getting ready a smoother experience. With a thoughtful setup, mornings can feel more manageable. It also allows families to start their day on a positive note.
Less is more!
The key to a clutter-free entryway is to fill the space only with what’s necessary. Too many items can make it hard to find what you need when you need it.
Living with limited space, I’ve found that adopting this minimalist approach helps keep our home practical and uncluttered. Our entryway is small, yet we manage to store everything we need there.
What’s in our entryway
As we live in a compact apartment, every item counts. Here is everything we store in our entryway as a family with a 3-year-old toddler and a small dog:
In the shoe cabinet:
- 16 pairs of adult shoes (including daily slippers and winter vacation boots)
- 4 pairs of kid shoes, with a space for few extra pairs
- Small plastic chair
- Kid-friendly sunscreen
In the full-length cabinet:
- 4 sling bags and 2 backpacks (belong to my husband)
- Small bag to carry essentials when going out with toddler (for his extra clothes, diapers, etc.)
- Hats
- Stocks of small tissue packs (dry and wet)
- Stocks of mosquito repellents
- Stocks of small hand sanitisers
- Stocks of masks
- Candle supplies
- Fire extinguisher
- Raincoats
- Small vacuum cleaner and duster
- Small mirror
On top of the shoe cabinet:
- Storage to hold daily essentials
- Tray for keys and spare coins
In the DB cabinet:
- Dog’s grooming caddy
- Dog leashes
- Dog clothes
- Other dog-related essentials
On the wall hooks:
- My daily bag
- Kid’s backpack
- Space to hang daily essentials
Our entryway is actually created by slicing off a small portion of our living room, separated by just a partial wall. This means it’s practically part of our main living area. I aim to keep the space functional but also want it to stay organised and visually appealing to avoid any eyesores.
Because of this, we don’t store sports equipment or bulky outdoor gear in our entryway. These items are typically not used every day, so they are kept in their own designated storage elsewhere in the house.
We try not to let ‘just in case’ items accumulate and add unnecessary clutter. When space is a concern, it’s worth curating what’s truly essential and what can be stored elsewhere.
How we create a family-friendly entryway in small space
Here are some of the ideas I’ve implemented to make our compact entryway functional for everyone in the house, including our toddler and dog:
1. Leave some empty space
In our shoe cabinet, we aim to keep enough empty space for at least 2 extra pairs of shoes at all times instead of filling it completely. The same rule applies to my husband’s bags, which are also stored in the entryway. This allows for flexibility if we need extra room.
If we have more shoes or bags than the storage allows, we’ll get rid of the old ones or those we rarely wear. This might sound silly for an already space-short room, but this minimalist mindset encourages us to be intentional with our purchases and mindful of what we let into our home.
2. Use vertical space
Utilising vertical space is a great way to keep items off the floor and within easy reach.
I installed two wall-mounted hooks: one at adult height for my daily bags, which I often use for dog walks and grocery runs, and another at my toddler’s height.
The lower hook makes it simple and accessible for l my toddler to hang up their own things easily. This way, the entryway stays neat and clutter-free.
3. Make essentials reachable for little hands
To make any space kid-friendly, think of ways to make items accessible for children. Arrange things so that what they need is easy to reach and use. This means lowering items you want them to access independently and keeping anything unsafe out of reach.
Besides the lower hooks for bags, we’ve also made small adjustments to help our child learn to be independent with putting on his shoes.
Our shoe cabinet doors are seamless and handle-free. It’s a bit challenging for my 3-year-old to open since the cabinet is also quite tall for his current height. For now, we’ve added small plastic handles that he can easily hold to open the doors.
Our kid’s daily shoes are stored at a low level on the back of the door to save space. The left side is for slippers or open shoes and the right side is for covered shoes. This separation makes it easy for him to remember where to take or put them back.
I also hang a small, foldable plastic chair on the back of the door. It helps him sit while putting on his shoes. I keep a bottle of sunscreen there too to maximise space.
This cabinet door setup is simple but makes the space more toddler-friendly and encourages independence. It lets him open the door, see his footwear options, take out what he wants, and wear it with minimal help.
4. Create a designated spot for everything
Things can easily get messy if they don’t have a designated ‘home’ after use. No matter how insignificant some items may seem, find a specific spot to store them once you’re home.
In my entryway, I make sure to have enough storage containers to hold everything we need. This makes it easy for us to grab what we need before heading out.
This also includes making space for our dog’s items, like his daily leash, grooming supplies, and other essentials. We keep all the dog-related items in our DB cabinet.
Having a specific spot for each item encourages everyone to keep the entryway organised, which also helps kids learn about tidiness.
5. Keep it simple
When organising our entryway, I focused on keeping the decor simple. I chose a few key items, such as a small plant and a simple art piece to add a touch of warmth without creating clutter.
A clean and minimal aesthetic makes the space feel more spacious and allows the family to move around easily. Plus, cleaning is simpler when there aren’t too many items on display.
6. Declutter regularly
I make it a habit to regularly declutter the entryway. Every 3 months, I review what we have and remove anything that no longer serves a purpose.
This helps prevent unnecessary clutter from accumulating and keeps the space functional. I also try to involve my toddler in this process to instill the valuable skill of decluttering.
When the entryway is tidy, it encourages everyone to keep it that way.
The entryway is the first area we see when we come through the door. It plays an essential role in our daily routines.
A good entryway should be functional, easy to navigate, and enable everyone in the family to grab their items before heading out the door without much hassle.
With a few adjustments and some effort, the entryway can become a functional and visually appealing part of our home.
