Snapshot Clutter Clearing Case Study: Trish's Entry Closet
Step 1: Entry Closet - Before

Lori,
Average size closet or extra large junk drawer? We have 2 small and one medium sized closets in which to capture the belongings of a family of 4. The entry closet is the first space seen upon entry to our home. It holds coats and shoes as well as kitchen extras like oversized pots. It also holds a box of tools which we like to keep handy and other stuff that needs a home (but not necessarily right there. My closets all have to do double or triple duty. Even with the best of intentions they collect too much stuff and are disorganized. Can you help me make a plan to best use the space?
Trish
Step 2: Customized Coaching
Hi Trish,
Thank you for letting me in on your life. It's an honor to work with you, and I really appreciate your trust.
Here we go:
1. From a Feng Shui perspective, the entrance to your home is a very important place. It's where energy enters, and it should have an easy way in with no blockages. It also is where your guests first enter, and in your case your whole family. How do you want to be greeted when you come in the door? Ideally, you'd have space, room to move and breathe, and something pretty to look at. What would be your vision for the space?
2. Your coats don't take up much space - not sure if all are hung at the moment you took the picture, hopefully so, as that's how I'm going to proceed. I would suggest placing a hanging shelf down one side to house shoes. Shoe placement on the floor never seems to work well. They are hard to reach and put back properly so get kicked off and around. This would be for the ones not wet or in use daily. The other idea would be to house them in each owner's room. Your space here is precious, so wouldn't waste it on shoes not being used regularly. The hanging shelves are easy to find and not too expensive. I've gotten them at Target in the past. That would free up some floor space for the wet shoes/boots being used regularly. Put a shoe tray or two, so each person in the family has room for one pair and make sure they are IN the closet and not roaming around near it. I know; easier said than done, and I would suggest that even if you have to put them there yourself, it's worth the energy to not be seeing them and stepping on them or trying to not step on them.
3. I'm not clear on your closet door situation. Do you have a door that belongs here? I'd prefer to have a door that you can close cleanly. I think it would be more streamlined and neater looking, and more formal for the entrance area. That would also allow a over-the-door pocket for mitten, hat and scarf storage. I don't see any of that type of thing in your picture, so maybe you have another solution that's working for you. Maybe the curtains work for you for reasons I don't know about.
4. Your top shelf has room to spare, but looks like an odd assortment of things. The kitchen pot looks a bit out of place. Do you have other kitchen things that don't fit in the kitchen that you could house this with as well? It's not a big deal, but like with like is always a good rule of thumb. Do you have other things scattered about that would make more sense to put here? Also, you have more vertical space than you are using. You can get really inexpensive wire shelf racks that could help take advantage of the room you have here. Obviously the higher you go, the less accessible, so would be for off season items. I store my fake wreath and some games in my entrance closet.
5. As for tackling this, I would find a time you can remove everything, wipe down shelves, walls and mop the floor. Get rid of anything that people no longer wear/use. See if you need to make any minor repairs. Then put back in only what will stay in here. You could add some hooks, if there is any space, for things like umbrellas, bags, etc.
6. When you're done, see if you can find something of beauty to greet you. I realize you just took the shot only of your closet, so perhaps you have this covered. I want you to feel a sense of "ahhh" when you come in the door.
Good luck!
Lori
Thank you for letting me in on your life. It's an honor to work with you, and I really appreciate your trust.
Here we go:
1. From a Feng Shui perspective, the entrance to your home is a very important place. It's where energy enters, and it should have an easy way in with no blockages. It also is where your guests first enter, and in your case your whole family. How do you want to be greeted when you come in the door? Ideally, you'd have space, room to move and breathe, and something pretty to look at. What would be your vision for the space?
2. Your coats don't take up much space - not sure if all are hung at the moment you took the picture, hopefully so, as that's how I'm going to proceed. I would suggest placing a hanging shelf down one side to house shoes. Shoe placement on the floor never seems to work well. They are hard to reach and put back properly so get kicked off and around. This would be for the ones not wet or in use daily. The other idea would be to house them in each owner's room. Your space here is precious, so wouldn't waste it on shoes not being used regularly. The hanging shelves are easy to find and not too expensive. I've gotten them at Target in the past. That would free up some floor space for the wet shoes/boots being used regularly. Put a shoe tray or two, so each person in the family has room for one pair and make sure they are IN the closet and not roaming around near it. I know; easier said than done, and I would suggest that even if you have to put them there yourself, it's worth the energy to not be seeing them and stepping on them or trying to not step on them.
3. I'm not clear on your closet door situation. Do you have a door that belongs here? I'd prefer to have a door that you can close cleanly. I think it would be more streamlined and neater looking, and more formal for the entrance area. That would also allow a over-the-door pocket for mitten, hat and scarf storage. I don't see any of that type of thing in your picture, so maybe you have another solution that's working for you. Maybe the curtains work for you for reasons I don't know about.
4. Your top shelf has room to spare, but looks like an odd assortment of things. The kitchen pot looks a bit out of place. Do you have other kitchen things that don't fit in the kitchen that you could house this with as well? It's not a big deal, but like with like is always a good rule of thumb. Do you have other things scattered about that would make more sense to put here? Also, you have more vertical space than you are using. You can get really inexpensive wire shelf racks that could help take advantage of the room you have here. Obviously the higher you go, the less accessible, so would be for off season items. I store my fake wreath and some games in my entrance closet.
5. As for tackling this, I would find a time you can remove everything, wipe down shelves, walls and mop the floor. Get rid of anything that people no longer wear/use. See if you need to make any minor repairs. Then put back in only what will stay in here. You could add some hooks, if there is any space, for things like umbrellas, bags, etc.
6. When you're done, see if you can find something of beauty to greet you. I realize you just took the shot only of your closet, so perhaps you have this covered. I want you to feel a sense of "ahhh" when you come in the door.
Good luck!
Lori
Step 3: Entry Closet - After

Lori,
I am happy to say I have made some great progress in the front entry closet!
I purged a large fish tank and TONS of just plain junk! Mismatched shoes have either found their friends or found the bottom of a garbage bag. I moved the large stockpot to a shelf in the laundry room which holds the bread machine and large electric fry pan. As you say, "like items together". I found a couple pretty boxes to contain winter gear for now, and I'm planning on purchasing one of the hanging shelve units in the near future. After considering the idea to put the wooden doors back on I am confident that the fabric coverings are best for my entry.
My girls were very excited when they came home and saw the "new" closet. I am optimistic with the reduced clutter and better organization we will be able to keep the entry area clean and welcoming!
Thank You!
Trish
Celebration
Trish,
I'm so happy to hear how well you did on this project! Wow - the pictures really tell the story. Excellent work! I agree that you are set up well now to keep the closet in good shape. Congrats to you! And you're welcome! It was a pleasure.
Lori
I'm so happy to hear how well you did on this project! Wow - the pictures really tell the story. Excellent work! I agree that you are set up well now to keep the closet in good shape. Congrats to you! And you're welcome! It was a pleasure.
Lori