We spotted this landing strip idea on a visit to a house for sale, and thought we'd share. The dirt from the soles of shoes can filter down to the bottom of the tray, out of sight and danger of tracking throughout the house. While this family used it for kids shoes, we think this is a great idea for all ages.

The solution is part of a shoe nook area by the door. If we were to copy it we might have fun with the tray, using glass or patterned melamine instead of the very utilitarian plastic option.
Thanks, Natasha!

Comments (12)
MY kids would be throwing those rocks around the house, but for well-behaved households this is a cute idea.
We have a galvanized tray with rocks in it that we use for this very same thing.
How do you then clean out the dirt that has oozed in between the rocks? I'm assuming you just hose down the whole thing? It's a lovely earthy look.
hmmm, I wonder if I could get away with such a thing outside of my apartment door. I'm obsessed with preventing winter grossness from being tracked into my apartment this winter.
Those rocks gotta weigh 100 lbs or so...that can't be fun haul outside and clean!
That's the ugliest group of shoes.
Let's get real, persons. It looks like a bunch of stinky old shoes piled up on a litter box with some rocks in it. What you can see of the rocks, that is.
Here's an idea! Come home and shut the door. Walk to your bedroom and sit on the bed. Take off your shoes and put them in your closet. NOW look at that nice, clean, uncluttered patch of floor by your landing strip!
Admittedly, this little item of shoes by the door is one of my bugaboos, and I'm sorry, I just Do. Not. Get. It.
^^^ doesn't help people who do not wear shoes indoors and need to take them off at the entrace
I'd love to know if Aulaire lives in a warm climate. Chicago in the winter? Cannot walk through the house with shoes or boots on, sorry.
I think this is a fabulous idea. If I had a mud room, I would totally do it. I don't have space for shoes by my entrance, so I take my shoes off at the entrance and then carry them to my bedroom closet and put them away. This would be much more convenient though.
Why do people need to insult the shoes? That wasn't the pint of the freakin blog. I like the idea. I might just try this.
Point