Organizing entry way w/kids

amother

Silver

Mon, May 28 2018, 12:51 pm

Just moved to a new house. Everything is wonderful BH!

Aside from one issue... my entry way is a dumping zone! My kids mean no harm, but the moment they walk in from school, I have knapsakes, coats/sweatshirts/hats/gloves, shoes, card collections, papers, folders, old lunch etc all over the entrance. It is an open entry area which in theory is really nice, the coat closet is a but off to the side, not immediatly upon entry.

Suggestions oh wise mothers. I am willing to do (almost) anything to put some organizitional objects into place.

I know that if they know where to put their belongings theres a 96% chance they will put everything away in the right place.

Aside from child height hooks inside the coat closest, what other oragnizational things do I need- be specific! My kids range from baby- 5th grade.

super desperate here and I know you all could help.. anxiously awaiting your brilliant advice!

Teomima

Mon, May 28 2018, 1:41 pm

I used Kallax (plus their accompanying products designed to fit perfectly) units from Ikea to make cubbies for my kids. They each have a large bin for sweaters/hats/etc, their own school books cubbies, there are drawers for dh and I to drop off our keys/wallets/mail, and the cubbies can be used for shoes too. The secret to organization is a classic: A place for everything (and everything in its place).

southernbubby

Mon, May 28 2018, 1:45 pm

Here is the kallax:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JPT8STW/ref=asc_df_B00JPT8STW5490806/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B00JPT8STW&linkCode=df0&hvadid=191927055053&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8067771860444280966&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016796&hvtargid=pla-300961158939

and I am surprised to see Ikea products on Amazon. That is very interesting.

I am a fan of Ikea products but they do require assembly.

ra_mom

Mon, May 28 2018, 2:59 pm

Coats must be hung up by each child so find a solution that works easily. It can be hooks on the wall, on the wall inside the closet, on the inner doors of the closet, or a corner coat rack tree that comes with 2 levels of hooks so the little ones can reach.

Hats and gloves must be clipped onto coats. Teens must store theirs within their coat pockets.

Sweatshirts need to be hung as well if clean, or placed in the hamper if dirty.

If you don't have room to set up a proper mud area and the items are going to be dumped there anyway, get a nice looking big bin for the floor where backpacks need to be stored upright, neatly, one next to the other.

Papers need to be taken with them straight to homework area (desk or table).

Shoes need to be lined up neatly against the wall in the hallway or inside the closet, only 1 pair allowed per child. Extra pairs need to be kept in bedrooms.

This is amazing btw if you are short on space but have a small wall available. Less than 12" inches protrudes from the wall. The shoes are hidden and there's a small drawer on top for keys or small items.
https://m.ikea.com/us/en/catal.....9559/
This one is only 7" inches deep and barely takes up any space.
https://m.ikea.com/us/en/catal.....1987/

I think we all struggle with this.

amother

Silver

Tue, May 29 2018, 11:22 am

Quote:

This one is only 7" inches deep and barely takes up any space.
https://m.ikea.com/us/en/catal...../10031987/

love this! my coat closet isn't so big, do you think this would work for shoes/hats/gloves if I hung them in the back wall of the closet towards the bottom (so they would be close to the floor, easy for little people to reach).

My bigger kids aren't as much of a problem as my younger ones. The 2, 4 and 5 year old are the hardest I find. I don't expect much from the 2 year old. but the 4 and 5 year old need clear direction!

I had a kallax type of system in my old apartment where I inserted big buckets/boxes but it always ended up with a mess and the boxes all over the floor!

what can I institue for papers/projects that I want to look at but can't the moment the kids come home and rip them out the knapsack? pref something in the coat closet? the younger ones don't have desks yet, and I don't want the papers flying all over the kitchen table.

I loved the cubbie idea, but simply don't have that much space.

you ladies are really fantastic... keep the ideas coming. you are really helping keep a yidishe mother sane!

ra_mom

Tue, May 29 2018, 11:29 am

amother wrote:

Quote:

This one is only 7" inches deep and barely takes up any space.
https://m.ikea.com/us/en/catal...../10031987/

Yes, I can see it working in the closet. Do you have room on one of the side walls inside the closet, instead of the back wall? It may be easier for them to reach underneath all the coats.

For papers in the coat closet, you can install a file sorter or magazine rack on the inner door of the closet. 1 per child, labeled?

Do a search for something that you like, there are all sorts from metal to wire mesh, plastic, wood. I'm just showing you the general idea

https://www.zerbee.com/Product.....w_wcB

https://www.retailresource.com.....w_wcB