My son has only been back in pre-school for a week and already it feels like we just can't get out the door in the morning. Part of the problem is overestimating how much I can realistically get done before we leave the house, but the other half of the problem is simply logistics and organization. I waste too much time walking up and down our apartment collecting things: his shoes, his backpack, his lunch, my bag, my phone, my keys...you get the idea. Does this sound familiar?
We live in an apartment and our entryway is small, but could be much better utilized. We mostly use it as a place to throw the mail when we walk in the door and as a place to, hopefully, remember to put our keys.
In rethinking my own space, I dove into our archives and the web in search of inspiring transitional spaces for families. Some homes I found are big enough to have a dedicated mudroom while others carve out space near the front door or, in one case, on a stair landing to collect the things that most often go out the door with us.
Take a look at the photos above for inspiration and feel free to share your own ideas or a link to your family's transitional space in the comments.
MORE ENTRYWAYS ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• How To Create a Welcoming Entryway
• Entryway Spruce Up: Making a Good First Impression
• Practical Tips for Organizing Mud Rooms & Entryways
• Our Favorite Entryway and Landing Strip Ideas
• Tips for Dealing with a No-Entryway Entryway
• You're Welcome: Easy Entryway DIYs
• Affordable Entryway & Mudroom Essentials: 10 Sources
(Images: 1. Tara Bellucci for Alexandra & John's Clusters of Color 2. California Closets, used with permission 3. Jami Natos 4. Janie Lee 5. Helen Dardik via Design*Sponge 6. The Shabby Nest 7. Spira 8. BHG 9. Leah Moss for Pam & Bryan's Comfortably Creative Family Home 10. Jill Slater for Doryn's Glamorous Return to the City)
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The white California Closets storage up the stairs is lovely, but all I can think about it how it will immediately look filthy with dust and dirt from the muddy/dusty/dirty shoes and boots. Way too much upkeep for something that should be functional.
What's the point in a mudroom corkboard that's covered by coats and bags?
I did find the video helpful. Ditto the pictures.
I'm thinking of enlarging my front porch and covering it, so I can put a bench and wicker chest out there, for my shoes. The wicker will let them breathe but also be out of sight. Hope it works. The video made me realize that of course, umbrellas can stay out there too, as long as it's not my favorite looks-like-a-FrankLloydWright-lampshade one.
I'm amazed someone is offended by the term landing strip, which of course has to do with airplanes, not nudie entertainment DUH, and fits this subject perfectly. Gosh. Amazed.
Just leave your nest a mess and when you arrive in the evening pour a glass of wine before cleaning up and making dinner and getting everything by the door for the next day. I can't win in the morning no matter how early I get up so I stopped stressing about the morning clean up. Happy Nesting.