5 Things to declutter in an entryway before fall to reduce overcrowding of this vital drop zone

We don’t spend a lot of time in our entryways, which usually means they get neglected. These pass-through points are some of our favorite dumping grounds for everything from shoes to coats to bags and boxes of things to declutter. At no time is this more true than in fall, when we switch over to bigger boots and jackets and leave our summer stuff lingering in cabinets.

This is why professional home organizers are urging us to declutter these five things in entryways before fall to make the seasonal switch over fall less stressful.

Get ready to declutter before fall for a seasonally appropriate entryway that doesn’t leave you stressed when trying to get out of the door.

Things to declutter in an entryway before fall

The goal when decluttering and organizing an entryway before fall is to remove any remnants of summer that make an entryway look cluttered and to replace them with seasonal clothing essentials ready to bustle out of the door on colder days.

Diana Bazic, a decluttering expert and founder of Minimalism Basics advises, 'In the world of entryway optimization, where space is often at a premium, the golden rule is practicality. So, here's the lowdown: keep only those clothes and shoes that truly pull their weight in your daily routines. Think of a couple of trusty coats, reliable footwear, and a handful of seasonally apt accessories, and declutter the rest.'

With that in mind, these are the five items to tackle now.

1. Summer essentials

To really make a dent in decluttering your entryway, always start with the clothing and shoes. This is usually the biggest source of clutter, slowing down your routine and causing unnecessary stress.

When following entryway decluttering rules for fall, Nashid Braswell, founder and CEO of home organizing specialists, Agency Maison suggests, ‘As summer comes to a close, declutter this area by removing any and all summer-related items like sun hats, flip-flops, and beach bags. Instead, make room for fall essentials such as boots, umbrellas, cozy scarves, and chunky coats.

2. Summer bags

If you previously set your home up with some organizing tips to survive the summer holidays, then your entryway is likely full of summer grab bags packed with essentials you won’t need in the colder months.

Amanda Scott, professional home organizer and owner of Amanda Scott Home, says, ‘With fall approaching, take a look at the bags that are occupying your entryway. Give the swim bag a once over getting rid of old snacks, swim diapers, and anything damaged by dirt and water, and then store away until swim season returns. Relocate any summer sports bags, making room for fall sports gear.’

She also recommends addressing school bags with the start of the academic year, ‘Whether your kids have a new backpack for fall or they are using the one they used during summer for camp, take time to make space for kids to hang their backpacks when they come home from school so they don’t just land on the floor of the entryway. Use vertical storage to save space with hooks on the wall for kids to hang their bags.

‘If using a backpack that was used all summer, or donating bags that are no longer in use, make sure to wash backpacks so they feel fresh and new.'

3. Back to school essentials

On the topic of back-to-school, households with children would benefit from clearing out old back-to-school essentials and replacing them with anything new for the year ahead.

Liora Seltzer, professional organizer and owner of What U Keep suggests encouraging families to declutter with you to make this process easier and help organize a home with kids in mind.

She says, ‘If you think your kids can handle it, I suggest helping them declutter (or at least contain and organize) their toys and books, making their room and lay space more compatible to their interests and the new grade they are entering.’

4. Summer decor

Every pre-fall decluttering checklist should include clearing away any summer-y decor to make room for fall and winter decor.

Ivy Sbaiti, architect and designer, and founder of Ivy Home Solutions says, ‘Replace summer decor or any beach-related items cluttering your entryway with fall-themed entryway decor. This seasonal refresh not only makes an entryway more welcoming but also ensures the entryway remains functional and tidy.’

5. Packages and mail

Getting rid of paper clutter is no one's favorite task, but it is a golden rule for a clutter-free entryway.

Amanda Scott, home organizer reminds us that, ‘The entryway is often the landing zone for all the mail and paper that comes into the house. If you have been out of town for the summer on vacation, or just enjoying the summer weather too much, chances are paper has piled up. Recycle all junk mail, unread newspapers, and summer magazines, past event reminders, and old notes. File important pieces of mail in your inbox.’

Don’t forget to also clear out any old packages from deliveries over the summer ready for fall orders and the start of holiday gifts arriving.

Decluttering your entryway before fall will help you create a more organized and functional space that sets an inviting tone for the season. Plus, it will make this space more functional, meaning it's easier to find and access the items you'll need as the weather changes.

Next, delve into the 1 in 10 out decluttering rule that will keep things uncluttered moving forward.