6 Must Haves For A Tidy FOYER

The foyer is not only the first impression we make on our guests, it’s also the first room that greets us at the end of a long day and a great place to start when tidying up the house.  Since “I’ve been thinking”, it looks like our next big project might be turning our front room, which we rarely use, into a mudroom to store all of our shoes, bags, and work stuff.

Below are 6 must haves to keep the entry tidy and clean.  Use one or use them!

A PLACE FOR SHOES.  In our house, taking off your shoes at the front door is a must.  Dirt, mud and other grime doesn’t get spread all around the house.  That makes keeping on top of clean floors and carpets so much easier.  Not to mention, I bought white bath mats recently and if we dared to walk all over them with shoes on they wouldn’t last very long.  Add shoe storage by the front door to keep your footware organized and accessible.  Here are some great ideas!

This simple to make tray will keep muddy shoes from making a mess! Click on the image for the Magnolia Market tutorial.

Store bough or home made, wooden crates are a great way to keep shoes organized!

Flip-flops, sneakers and work shoes will fit great into wire baskets like these!

A PLACE TO SIT.  If you’re taking shoes off it makes sense to have somewhere to sit while you’re doing it. Add a bench so you (and your guests) don’t have to balance on one foot while trying to get those shoe laces undone.   It’s also a great place to set down those bags of groceries.  Fun upholstery or a brightly painted piece is also a great way to show off your style!

Accessorize your bench with a soft and stylish cushion for a pop of colour. Click on the image to see more of this amazing space from House Of Turquoise.

The seating in your entry doesn’t have to be huge to be functional.

AN INDOOR/OUTDOOR RUG.  A rug is not only a great way to add pattern but will also help in catching any dirt from your shoes.  Make sure you get something durable, like an indoor/outdoor rug, to stand up to heavy foot traffic and the occasional muddy boots.  It will be easier to clean and will last you longer.

A WASHABLE PAINT FINISH. Wall paint technology has come a long way and today’s premium paints are often formulated to resist dirt and stains.  A washable finish will help keep the walls clean so even if you do lean up against them with dirty hands there won’t be a need a touch up the paint job.  This is especially helpful around pets and children.

PEGS FOR JACKETS/KEYS. While it may never be cold enough here for winter jackets and scarves, we do have a couple of extra layers this time of year.  A couple of pegs by the front door is a great way to leave those sweaters and coats at the front door and not be tempted to throw them on the dresser or take up extra space in the closet.  And don’t be tempted to throw those keys on the kitchen counter or worse, lose them somewhere around the house.  Hang them up so they’re always handy!

A hook may be simple but that doesn’t mean it can’t be decorative!

BASKETS OR BINS FOR STORAGE.  Let’s face it – we all have STUFF.  Use colourful bins and baskets to keep your STUFF under control.  Organize the kids’ toys or school things, store extra umbrellas, or contain your family’s sport’s equipment out of the way.  If you’re handy with tools check out one of our favourite DIY bin tutorials here.

Keep everyone organized while having fun with chalkboard paint.

Liked our ideas?  There’s lot more on our Facebook page!  We update it daily with design tips and DIY advice. Or head on over to our Instagram for more beautiful interior pictures and sneaks peaks behind the scenes at our shop.