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Say Goodbye to Slushy Floors and Wet Entryways: Genius Winter Hacks to Keep the First Room of Your Home Beautiful All Season Long

Keep moisture out, and style in: We asked an expert how to protect your floors (and your home’s first impression) over this cold snap

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An entryway with black and white tiled flooring, a white door to the left, and a black and white framed ship print in the middle with a console table below it
(Image credit: Ca' Pietra)
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There’s nothing quite as comforting as stepping out of the cold into a warm entryway – but that very space is also the most vulnerable to the elements.

Wet boots, umbrellas, and damp coats, combined with constant exposure to the outdoors, leave floors prone to mud, rain, and slush, creating extra cleaning work and undermining your home’s first impression. With a few expert strategies, however, your entryway can remain welcoming and pristine, regardless of the weather.

1. Incorporate a Two-Mat System

As simple as it sounds, placing two mats (one indoors and one outside) is the first, most powerful step to a slush-free entryway.

'A heavy-duty scraper mat [exactly like this one from Amazon] can be placed outside the door, and a washable, absorbent runner can be placed inside,' Leslie says. 'Again, low-pile washable runners with a rubber or waterproof backing [like this rug at Target] are what to look for. This approach dramatically minimizes moisture entry into the home.'

There's a misconception that ultra-durable mats aren't designed to be aesthetic. However, in recent months, I've discovered some pieces that are beautiful pieces that are beautiful enough to sit in the most exclusive of entryways. I've listed some of my favorites below.

2. Designate a Drip Tray Zone

Next, a simple boot tray can save your floors from water and mud while helping your boots dry more efficiently.

'Instead of letting the boots melt onto the floor, a boot tray with raised edges [like this boot tray at Amazon] can be used. For an easier upgrade, the tray can be filled with decorative pebbles to keep the boots above the waterline, allowing them to dry faster. A large plant tray or a utility tray from a hardware store can do the trick,' Leslie says.

3. Elevate Boots for Airflow

A little creativity in your entryway can go a long way: open, ventilated storage helps footwear dry faster and keeps your floors clean, as Leslie explains.

‘A simple slatted wood rack, which can be a DIY weekend project, allows for ventilation and efficient drying time. An entry bench with open cubbies also keeps footwear out of the water and off the floor,’ she says.

These solutions are not just practical; they also add texture and style to the space. By thinking beyond a standard mat or tray, you can create an entryway that is both functional and inviting.

A rustic entryway with wall mounted coat hooks above a blue painted shoe storage bench, topped with a cream cushion.

(Image credit: The Cotswold Company)

4. Pre-Seal and Protect your Flooring

This tip involves pre-planning for the weather (which is a little late for this cold snap). However, if you've had a particular problem with slushy floors this winter, then it might be worth getting ahead next October or November.

'Not only does hardwood around the entryways receive the most use and abuse, but it also costs far less initially to apply a fresh coat of sealant with a prevention system than to refinish the warped hardwood later,' Leslie says.

5. Make the Solution Look Intentional

Sometimes, these solutions can damage the look of your entryway, but they don't have to. As explained above, many durable rugs feel like a design choice rather than a functional necessity, and you can elevate your boot trays with decorative stones to make them feel more intentional. Investing in a modern entryway bench to help wth storage is another way to combine both practicality and style seamlessly.

'From a design perspective, the contained area should never appear as clutter. You can find trays, runners, and storage pieces that complement your home's style. Don’t forget to add a bench, hooks on the walls, or even a console for better placement of all items. This way, even with messy weather conditions outside, the area never appears cluttered, thus making it warm and inviting,' Leslie says.

To keep your entryway looking beautiful all year round, the key is to create contained, intentional areas that complement your home’s style. By planning ahead, even the messiest days outside won’t disrupt a warm, welcoming entryway, all winter long. For more tips, we explore how best to clean an entryway in our dedicated guide.

Megan Slack
Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.