Organized Entry Ideas

Since Fall is literally knocking at our doors it is time for me to find a better way of organizing our entry area into the house.  See - summer isn't too bad.  Mostly all we bring in to the house are sandals and the mail.  But throw a couple of coats, umbrellas, gloves, boots ... well you get the picture.  We just end up with more stuff in the winter and if it is not properly contained at the entry - it ends up all over my dining room table. 

In my mind you need to have a couple things to have an organized entry 
1.  A place to store the little things (hats, mittens, etc.)
2.  A place for shoes
3.  A place to sit down and take off those shoes
4.  A place to hang coats and umbrellas
5.  A trash can for junk mail and a place to put every thing else
6.  A mirror (hey your entryway is also an exitway - you need to look good when your leaving the house)
7.  A place to leave messages or reminders

So here are some great spaces to get you inspired. 

Now my mind goes straight to built ins when thinking about organized entries.  This is a great one.  The built in bench has drawers!  Love it.

modern entry design by new york architect Dufner Heighes Inc

Be still my heart - I love this bench! The paint, the moulding ... everything is perfect.

traditional entry design by seattle architect Sullivan Conard Architects

Simple, efficient, and clean. Ah - don't you feel organized just looking at this.

entry design

Love this one - it has just about everything in my check list! The chalkboard is a perfect addition!

eclectic entry design

This one just goes to show that you can keep your style and still be organized. I adore the shabby chic look of this entryway. It isn't modern or contemporary at all but your still organized!

mediterranean entry design

Even if you don't have a whole lot of space, you can still create organizational areas. Think about grabbing a single cabinet that you could wall mount like this from Restore or Craig's List. Love it!

modern entry design by san francisco architect J. Weiss Design

Squeel! Board and batten in this one. (I think we are all obsessed with that right now in blogland.) Simple and clean! All it needs is a some hooks and perhaps an oval mirror hung on a chain! (Can you see it?)

traditional entry design by seattle architect David Neiman Architects

Love the lockers and the corkboard here! Totally from a magazine but full of great ideas!

traditional entry design

So what about you? What are your must haves for an entry? Do you have a place for all your coats and such in your house? Or do things end up just draped over chairs and tossed on tables? I wanna know I am not the only one living in that disarray!

Linking this to the Creative Organization Party with Melissa @ The Inspired Room. Hop over for more great organizing tips!