20 Ways to Keep Wet-Weather Muck Out of Your Entryway

This Montana bunkhouse on a sprawling ranch is surrounded by beautiful fields, which turn into lots of mud when it rains. Slate floor tiles stand up to anything that gets tracked in from the ranch, and the rough-hewn texture of the tiles is not as slippery as ceramic or porcelain.

Whether you use a simple tray or a rustic reclaimed wooden bin, have somewhere to set dirty boots and shoes as soon as you walk thru the door. Not only does it help protect floors from scratches, but it also saves you major clean-up time.

It’s tempting to hide everything away — after all, who wants a cluttered entryway or mudroom? But your wet-weather gear needs plenty of space to dry out so it doesn’t develop mold and mildew. Built-ins allow air to circulate so items can dry while maintaining a well-ordered space.

Even if your flooring can stand up to wet-weather muck, an inexpensive rug will protect the floor from water damage, and more importantly, you from slipping. An umbrella stand right next to the door provides a handy place to stash your gear to prevent bringing the rainy day further into the house.

If space allows, place a handy bench in the entryway for slipping boots off and warm slippers on. Plus, an open bench allows you to tuck shoes underneath so you won’t trip over them.

Make keeping up with wet-weather attire fun for kids with colorful hooks at staggered heights so they can hang up their rain and snow jackets themselves. Above the hooks, open cubbies are a great place to stash boots and bins, while drawers below the bench provide additional storage for shoes and accessories. Not only is the long bench perfect for slipping shoes on and off, it also provides a flat surface to let gloves and hats dry before putting them away.

Minimize what you keep in your entryway. You don’t have to store every single jacket, hat and glove in the foyer, especially if space is limited. Once your gear has dried, move it to a different closet or storage spot, and keep only your essential outerwear by the door.

Another way to unclutter your foyer is to clear out all the off-season clothing and equipment. No need to dig thru beach hats, sunscreen and flip-flops when you’re bracing to brave freezing temps. Pack away all the summer gear to make it easier to find your smart-touch gloves and ear muffs.

Your dog doesn’t care if the backyard is a muddy mess. Pups need play and what could be more fun than romping in the snow or mud?! A built-in pet gate will keep your furry friend corraled while you wipe off their feet before they track in mud and wet grass from outside.

Keep a rough, coir mat outside the door to brush off snow, dirt and debris from your shoes before you even enter the house. A nearby additional boot tray is also handy for those really messy days.

As the first stop for friends and family, entries just collect clutter — it’s in their job description. Corral the clutter by adding as many storage options as possible. A coat rack is a must and take advantage of an open bench by placing baskets underneath for storing winter accessories.

Rainy or snowy weather equals instant muck in your home. Simplify clean-up by stashing cleaning supplies near your mudroom or entryway. If you have closet, stash a broom and flat mop in it, or use one of your built-ins’ drawers to store a hand broom, spray cleaner and extra towels. You’re more likely to clean if your supplies are right there.

Turn your entry closet into organization central with hangers for coats and easily accessible hooks on the back of the door for kids’ backpacks. Number a bin for each family member to stow away hats, gloves and other out-the-door essentials.

Under-the-stair space is always ripe with possibilities. This storage system completely maximizes its potential and conquers all wet-weather needs: a bench for taking off shoes, hooks for airing out jackets, open bins, as well as drawers, for storing hats, gloves and scarves. Plus, a shelf that houses towels for wiping down any tracked-in snow or water.

Positioning a handy umbrella stand and hooks for your bags and coats right inside the door will keep you from tracking sludge thru the entire house. Cover a hardwood floor with a nubby rug that will stop you from slipping as you come in.

If you’re a winter-sports enthusiast, make sure you can stow away your gear with ease. Snow shoes and poles may be easy to hang on hooks, like in the HGTV Dream Home 2012, but if you need to store your skis, poles, snowboard and helmets, a designated closet or built-in cabinet is a necessity.

Tile is the ultimate choice for entryways and mudrooms because it’s easy to clean. Hexagon-shaped tiles in contrasting black and white create a bold geometric design in this bright and airy entry. Floor-to-ceiling cubbies keep the family chaos under control and makes necessities easy to grab on the way out the door.

Make the most of an underused space. Here, the blank wall beside the stairs is transformed into much-needed open cubbies. Varying the size of the cubbies allows everything to have its own place, from the rainboots and backpacks to the library books that need to be returned.

Not all homes have the space for floor-to-ceiling, fit-your-every-need built-ins. This country home takes a small area outside the laundry room and transforms it into a hard-working mudroom. Jackets are stowed away in a natural wood cabinet, while a vintage trunk is a decorative way to store galoshes and boots.