Winter is coming — here's how to muck-proof your entryway
Winter—it’s coming, if it hasn’t already arrived where you live. And whether you love it or hate it (personally it’s my favourite season) the best way to get through it is to accept it for what it is and face it head on. It’s like the old Norwegian adage: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”
Our hallways need some special prep so we don’t spend the next few months cursing every time we can’t find a pair of matching gloves. Here’s my checklist of how to get your entryway ready:
1. Start by going through all your winter coats, boot and accessories from last year. Clean and donate or toss-out as you go. The fewer items you have, the fewer you have to store.
2. Invest in baskets and boxes, preferably with lids. Use these for hats, gloves and scarves. Depending on what works best for you, divide them up by category or assign each family member their own storage container.
3. If possible, install some hooks on the walls. Wet coats need air circulation and will dry out faster on a wall than in a closet.
4. Use a three-prong approach to tackle wet boots. First, install a rough mat outside your door to kick off the snow. Second, make sure you have a hard-wearing, absorbent area rug or mat on the inside of your door. Finally, invest in or make your own boot trays for shoes to sit on once you have removed them. A pebble lined baking sheet is a good solution.
5. Think about buying a shoe and glove dryer. They make quick work of drying wet items.
6. Periodically do a quick edit of the area, putting away any items that may have found their way there that don’t belong.
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