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It's day 9 of neatntiny.com's 30-Day Spring Tidying Challenge! If you're just joining us, check out the link above explaining how it works and the links below for what we've already covered:
WEEK 1
Day 1: Kitchen Counters
Day 2: Under the Sink
Day 3: Dining Area
Day 4: Cutlery & Utensils Drawers
Day 5: Tupperware Drawer
Day 7: Fridge & Freezer
WEEK 2
Day 8: Front Entryway
Today we're organizing the mudroom/back entryway!
If you haven't already, please subscribe for a free, printable 30-Day Spring Tidying Challenge schedule!
Below are my suggestions for how to declutter the mudroom/back entryway:
1. Empty the entire back entry. This includes taking everything off the hooks (or out of the closet) and off the floor.
2. Clean. Sweep or vacuum the floor. Wipe down flat surfaces.
3. Decide which coats/jackets/footwear/etc. to keep here. If you've read day 8's post, you'll know I'm pretty anal about keeping the front entryway clutter-free. I'm a lot more lenient when it comes to the back entry. You need to keep your outerwear somewhere!
This is a good time to go through your belongings to determine what to get rid of. If you haven't worn it in over a year, you probably won't miss it!
I'd love to share with you some brilliant mudroom organization tips from our home, but I've got nothing!
We're in the planning stages of renovating our mudroom. It's currently a disaster (leaky ceiling, stained carpets and walls) and definitely not something to aspire to!!! We've known it needed to be completely redone since we moved in, so we didn't bother replacing anything.
Against my better judgment, but in the interest of full disclosure, I'll share with you it's current state:
I die a little each time I walk past that stained carpet...
The plants help to distract from the overall horridness---a little. We keep shoe polish, sunscreen and other out-the-door essentials in that little box and keys/wallets in the catch-all above it.
My son has his own set of hooks that he can reach by himself. That's one idea from this set up that may carry over to our reno! What's up with that warped wall, you ask? There's a leak in the ceiling! That's why this reno's the next one on our list! We plan to add a lot more storage for our off-season outerwear. Stay tuned for it this summer!
As part of planning for our reno, I researched small mudroom design ideas. You can check that out here:
4. Divide everything from the mudroom/back entry into four groups/bins:
i) belongs in the mudroom
ii) belongs elsewhere in the house
iii) fit to donate/sell used
iv) garbage/recycling
5. Return the shoes/outerwear/etc. you've decided to keep in the back entry and organize.
Since there's not much mudroom organization inspo around here, I'll share with you a couple of my favorite mudrooms, replete with built-in storage:
Image via: Lonny Mag.
Image via: Style Me Pretty.
Shop This Idea
Foldable Hyacinth Storage Baskets - Set of 2 ($38.99, Amazon.com). I love the look of open shelving with baskets. This works particularly well in the mudroom. I have these exact baskets! They'll be making an appearance in our One Room Challenge!
6. Redistribute the items that belong elsewhere in the home.
7. Donate. Take the boxes designated as 'to sell/donate' and put them somewhere out of sight, but accessible (i.e. mudroom or basement). You'll continue to add to these each day for the rest of the month, with the casualties of each day's tidying task. At the end of the month, you can make a trip (or several) to your local donation bank and/or go on an online selling spree.
8. Dispose of and/or recycle items from the designated garbage/recycling bins.
That's your task for day 9! Tomorrow, day 10, is a catch up day. So, check back again on day 11, when we'll work on the powder room!
Also coming up this week: Week 2 of the One Room Challenge!
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