I’ve never lived anywhere with a legitimate entry way until I moved into my current house. In my last home, I awkwardly placed a piece of cheap furniture in the space next to my fridge and caddy corner from the garage door that exuded function over form.

Though seemingly inconsequential, one of the features that drew me into my current home is the mud room. I recall flipping through catalogs as a kid marveling over picturesque, handsome mudrooms with vibrant colors and tidy compartments. Living in a part of California that had no snow and little rain, there was really no need for such a room. But oh how I dreamed of walking in the door, leaves bustling behind me, peeling off cold and damp layers of outerwear, hanging my coat and hat, and venturing further into the house to warm up (cue the 90s Campbell’s tomato soup snowman commercial).

Now in my thirties, I finally have my revered mudroom, albeit slightly less fairytale than my childhood vision. My mudroom is more of an entry hallway than a full room, but allows me to stage items I need when leaving the house in an aesthetically pleasing way — and deposit dirty shoes when I return home.

Over the past two years I’ve been adjusting this entry space to find the perfect flow, vibe and function. The most promising feature to date is the grab & go system I implemented for quick access to necessities. Not one to backtrack through the house once I’ve already put on my shoes, it is essential that I have everything I need by the time I’m at the door. My current grab & go station which has all my summertime frequently used items.

Suggestions of what to include in your entry space — whether a room, hallway or table.

entry way / mudroom

Plant
Petite yet vibrant
Stately and prominent
Bench
Washable rug

grab & go station

Basket, bowl or box to corral small items
Simple and round
Substantial with space
Light sweater (something neutral that can go with most outfits)
Sunglasses
Hat (baseball, sun, visor — whatever you’re most comfortable wearing)
Car keys
Mirror (preferably with hooks)
Modern and simple
Boho
Water bottle
Leak proof with handle
Flat
Container with gum, mints or individual hydration packets
Classic with adornment
Modern
Tote bag (promote your small business, re-use a freebie from a past 5k, etc.)

For extra pizazz

Charm (display something you were gifted, purchased during a memorable trip or find comforting)
Crystal
Macrame
Perfume bottle (choose something pretty that looks nice on it’s own and correlates with the space style)

tips

Swap items seasonally. In the winter, your baseball hat and sunglasses can be replaced with a beanie and gloves. In the spring, add an umbrella to the mix and change to a waterproof tote bag.
If you have young children or curious pets, consider keeping your small / lose items in a container with a lid for safe keeping.
Wash your items regularly. I clean my sunglasses weekly and rug monthly. Items like hats and sweaters should be cleaned on a regular basis, as well.
Keep enough free space on your bench to enable sitting, putting on shoes and placing heavy items when you walk in the door.

The beauty of an entry space is how it can be modified in numerous ways to support your needs and lifestyle. I hope this post is inspiring in your pursuit of creating a thriving and alluring entry-way.