With the daily comings and goings, activities and whirlwind of busy families, the front door closet can often become an indescribable mess, not very functional and very frustrating. Here are some tips on how to regain control of this very important space in your home!
Get ready
If you don't want to get discouraged in the middle of it, you have to plan your project well.
Cleaning up
It's time to look at his wardrobe with completely objective and honest eyes, without emotion. If there are coats that you haven't worn for X number of years for X number of reasons, donate them to charity. Mittens and gloves that are mismatched or have holes: trash can. Old shoes that have seen better days? Exactly the same thing.
If we find items that are not at all related to the purpose of the wardrobe (to help us get out and get back home), such as tools, hardware, etc., we move them around mercilessly. Space is precious.
Being well organized also means simplifying your life. Accumulating objects rarely makes it possible to do so, so we keep only the bare necessities.
Evaluate the relevance of each item
The first step would be to ask each family member to "catch" regularly what might be found elsewhere. To keep the wardrobe organized on a daily basis, it is necessary to constantly adjust, as the seasons and activities change. Even younger children can be responsible for their own items; a specific day each week could be designated for this task.
Other considerations: Do the skates that are used twice a year have a place in the entrance wardrobe? Probably not. Is soccer/hockey over until next year? Equipment is being temporarily relocated.
And even if the shoes definitely have their place, we still have to sort them out. Fancy shoes, for example, will probably look better in the bedroom.
We get organized
After thinking and cleaning up, we take action!
A little something new
A wardrobe is a utilitarian space that you don't necessarily think about embellishing. But why not? An attractive wardrobe lifts our spirits a little and motivates us to keep it that way! So you can paint the interior (in colour, even, for example, with paint left over from another room), use only beautiful wooden supports that are all the same, and get aesthetic and coordinated bins and storage accessories.
For shoes
We get a shelf for the shoes, which allows to store them in pairs. Some have shelves, and others have lockers... They could simply be bins in which shoes are stored standing up. Whichever system you choose, the important thing is to have one. No jumble of shoes on the floor!
The advantage of locker shelves is that they provide extra storage space on top, good for bins (more useful than cushions!).
For winter boots, a tray that collects water can be provided and placed, only during the winter months, in front of the wardrobe. In the summer, the tray can be placed elsewhere to save space.
For clothing
Only the coats that are most used for the season should remain in the entrance wardrobe to avoid overflowing! A few extra racks (and room) are also left for guest coats.
Another strategy: replace the usual bar with a modular system, which allows two bars in the same space, and add shelves. This type of system is available in all large supermarkets and home stores.
For accessories
Mittens, neck warmers, scarves, sunglasses, hats and caps can be stored in bins, one for each family member. Children's bins should be at the bottom of the closet so that children can be as independent as possible.
For the rest
The keys: A few small hooks inside the wardrobe and they will be both easily accessible and hidden.
The usual backpacks, handbags, etc.: can be stored in the wardrobe. If possible, install large, sturdy hooks on the inside of the door (or one side of the wardrobe). To maximize space, two or three can be hung on the same vertical "line".
Dog leash: A small hook is installed on the inside of the closet, just beside the door.
Sports equipment (bicycle helmets, balls, snowshoes): They can be stacked without too much damage in a basket or bin on the floor.
Sports bags, grocery bags, etc.: These can be placed on a shelf at the top of the closet.
Umbrellas: Provide a container to hold them upright and collect excess water (such as a narrow bucket) and place it in a corner in the bottom of the closet.
A final strategy is to provide extra hooks in or around the wardrobe. These will always come in handy! They will be very handy for drying mittens, among other things.