5 Easy Ways to Turn Your Entryway into a Cozy ‘Entry Shield’ for Winter Storms – and Keep Cold and Mess Out of the Rest of Your Home

When winter storms hit, your entryway becomes more than just a pass-through; it's your home's first line of defense against the cold, wet, and mess that comes with the season.

With the right setup, you can create a cozy 'entry shield' that can make the rest of your home feel cozier, cleaner, and far more welcoming.

From draft-proofing and clever storage to organizing your entryway, these five expert-approved tricks will keep warmth in, and chaotic cold channels out, setting the tone for a calm, cozy, home all winter long.

5 Cozy Entryway Hacks to Block Cold and Winter Mess

1. Layer Floor Coverings

Tina Priestly, CEO of Ready, Set, Refresh and a professional organizer, begins, 'Your entrance takes a significant hit in the winter. It's the catchall for everything that you track inside with you – wet footwear, a soaking wet coat, and snow and salt.'

The answer? Layering several entryway rug ideas to create a floor barrier to catch mess and prevent it from spreading.

'It's all about the layers,' Tina says. 'Place a heavy-duty outdoor runner mat [available at Walmart] to remove gravel and mud before entry. You'll want to replace the indoor carpet with a rug or runner that can be washed and will dry quickly. I tend to have a waterproof boot tray, from Amazon, just inside the door, because it's the unsung hero that will protect your flooring from salt rings and puddles.'

If you live in a very cold or wet climate, you can also invest in a boot dryer from Amazon. These standing racks speed up drying times for warmer boots, reducing the risk of mold growth and lingering odors.

2. Create Separation

Visual separation is a great way to stop mess from spreading beyond your entryway ideas, while making your entry feel cozier.

Jonathan Palley, CEO of Clever Tiny Homes, explains, 'Entryways are best at containing outdoor messes when they're blocked off by a door or at least clearly separated from the rest of the home with different flooring, for example. If your entryway sprawls into your living room, so does the dirt.'

If you are working with open plan entryways and cannot change the flooring, adding in larger rugs to divide the space is a good place to start. We love the area rugs by Ruggable as they are machine washable for easy winter maintenance.

3. Timed Lighting

Entryway lighting ideas play a huge role in making an entry 'shield' more efficient as the days get darker sooner in winter.

Rory Everitt, owner and principal interior designer at Rory Everitt Design, suggests, 'Be welcomed home with a warm glow by using a programmable outlet timer [available at Walmart] for the entry lamps, or a programmable timer switch [from Amazon] for ceiling lights. It's an easy DIY project to swap out a manual light switch with a programmable switch, enabling you to turn your porch and garage lights on automatically from 4:30 pm to 11 pm.'

For a more custom approach to lighting, consider upgrading lightbulbs to the Philips Hue Smart Bulbs from Amazon. These handy bulbs connect to your phone and will turn on after sunset when your phone comes back into close proximity after a day out, preventing energy wastage if you find yourself coming home at different times each evening.

Outside, motion sensor security lights from Walmart are ideal, acting additionally as great home security.

4. Use Curtains to Block Drafts

To prevent cold air from leaking into your home when the door is closed, the next step is to draft-proof your entryway. Eli Zimer, director of operations at Luxeaire HVAC Services, recommends, 'Look at the door and see if there are any gaps. It’s not uncommon for front doors to have a slight gap at the bottom. If that’s the case, I would recommend getting an under-the-door draft blocker [such as this decorative yet practical brass door brush from Amazon], which is something you can just slide on that helps fill that gap and block air from traveling through it.'

For gaps around the frame, consider caulking, such as the GE Foam and Silicone Insulation Kit from Lowe's, to prevent air leaks. Foam weatherstripping rolls, from Walmart, can also ensure a snug fit inside the frame to prevent both cold air and pests from entering in winter.

If making an entryway look welcoming is the top of your priority list, consider curtain hacks for a warmer home. Rory continues. 'If you have a particularly drafty entry, borrow an idea from restaurants in Chicago and NYC: Set up a seasonal drape around the door. A curved metal rod [available at Amazon] supports heavy drapery to create a 4ft diameter pocket that keeps cold air outside and prevents your heat from rushing out the door. Close the exterior door before parting the drape fabric to enter your home.'

We suggest investing in good-quality insulating curtains from Wayfair for added thermal benefit and to help make home heating more efficient.

5. Assign Homes for Items

The onslaught of bad weather comes with an onslaught of coats. Tina concludes, 'If you don't assign a place, jackets, scarves, hats, and mittens will take over. For coats and bags, consider setting up some durable wall hooks [from Walmart]. For hats, gloves, and scarves, I recommend a labeled box or basket from Target. A storage bench is even better because it hides clutter underneath and can be a place to sit down.

'If you have kids, make it easy for them. One hook and one bin each will reduce the chaos. Beyond preventing a messy entryway, you want it to feel easy to breathe when you walk in. Winter feels easier when everything has a home, and the space is cozy.'

If you rent and cannot add hooks, consider a hall tree coat rack from Wayfair, which has a built-in bench for the easy removal of boots.

Meet the Experts

Tina Priestly

Tina Priestly is a sought-after home organization expert who specializes in transforming cluttered spaces into streamlined, functional sanctuaries.

Jonathan Palley

Jonathan's goal with Clever Tiny Homes is to use his experiences at the highest levels of design, construction, technology and manufacturing to deliver incredible homes at highly affordable prices.

Eli Zimmer

Eli is the director of operations of Luxaire HVAC Services. For over 32 years, businesses across Long Island have relied on Luxaire HVAC Services for expert commercial heating, cooling, and indoor air quality solutions. They specialize in servicing, repairing, and installing HVAC systems tailored to the unique demands of commercial facilities.

With the practical aspects out of the way, you can focus on the easy tips to make your entryway look more beautiful for fall to set the perfect first impression for holiday guests.