We've all been there — those days when we're running late, can't find the car keys or our left boot. These dilemmas are no stranger to the typical family. But a well-organized and designed entryway can stop those frazzled mornings. Juan and Stephanie Antunez, president and vice president of California Closets in Northeast Ohio share their tips on creating an efficient area for all your coats, shoes and bags.
ROUTINE TASKS
Whether it's a charging station for your cellphone or a hook for your keys, be consistent on where you place your items. "Have a place where you're dropping everything off, and the next morning it's all in a single space," says Stephanie. "That's the fundamental point of a well-organized entryway."
PERSONALITY TEST
An entryway should be cohesive with your style and needs. Personalize it with hooks, cubbies and lockers — whatever you need. You can also include chalkboard inserts on the overhead drawers, which have both a practical and artistic function. "The kids can draw things, or you can write reminders," says Juan.
Covert Affairs
The couple advises families to think vertically when designing compartments and to use concealed storage — hidden inside the bench or in drawers — to place things when having friends over. "You're greeting guests, but they aren't sitting on top of a child's coats or a hockey stick," says Juan.
