Reduce Clutter In Your Home By Creating A Drop Zone
You may have seen our recent blog on choosing a front door, but what happens once you walk through that carefully selected front door? Do you trip over your child’s shoes? Are you carrying multiple bags, keys, drinks, sunglasses, and mail? Where does everything go once you cross the threshold of your home? For many of us, it winds up scattered throughout multiple rooms.
Struggling to find your keys or an important bill that got tossed with the junk mail?
If you’re dealing with general disorganization, have you considered creating a drop zone in your home’s entryway or another location in your house? Maybe you’ve seen some of the new mudrooms that are popular. These spaces often contain a large wall of custom cabinetry, with individual cubbies for each family member to store shoes, coats, backpacks, or purses. Often there’s a padded bench for removing or putting on shoes. These spaces are convenient, ergonomic, and help a household stay organized. But even if you do not have a mudroom, a drop zone can help you stay organized.
Here are some solutions for your storage woes…
If you have an awkward coat closet, it can be opened up and made into a drop zone. Rather than a closed coat closet where it’s challenging to find what you’re looking for, imagine a shallow nook for a built-in bench with storage drawers. Hooks and containers installed into the back of the bench can hold bags, coats, keys, or mail. If you do not want all of these items stored in sight, consider installing a pocket door or other type of doorway.
In addition to coat closets, another underused space is the area beneath a stairway. There may be a deep closet that’s dark and annoying to access, or it may just be empty space. Why not have custom cabinetry installed? This attractive cabinetry by Wellborn conceals hats, scarves, and even unused throw pillows for the sofa. Not only will finding things get easier, but you can reduce clutter and close the doors of the cabinets, creating a tidy, streamlined look.
Get Creative: Remember Customization is Key
A drop zone works well in an entryway or stairway, but it can really go wherever you have additional, unused, space, or where you naturally unload what you’re carrying. For families with a very hectic schedule, a dry erase calendar or black board can be a great way to keep track of activities or chores for the household. Cubbies or storage shelves can hold various activity bags; for example, a bag for a day at the beach or pool, or a scouting bag. When you’re rushing out the door you can see where you’re headed written on your board, and have what you need to take with you conveniently accessible.
Looking for Remodeling?
Whether you plan on having a drop zone created as part of a larger remodeling project, or you want to set a simple one up yourself, it’s not only a fantastic way to get and stay organized, it’s an opportunity to use your creativity by customizing a small space in your home. Not to mention, you can help establish good habits in kids or grandkids by teaching them to put away their things!
Are you looking for a remodeler? If you are interested in starting now contact us today to discuss your next home remodeling project.