Feeling overwhelmed by clutter and want to create a drop zone in your house to contain it all? Here’s everything you need to know to create the perfect place for all that kids gear, important papers, junk mail, and otherwise unsightly piles of junk.
Today, let’s talk about something that has the power to turn chaos into calm in our homes – creating a functional and organized drop zone.
Now, I hear you asking, “What on earth is a drop zone?”
Well, think of it as your home’s very own superhero, swooping in to save the day from clutter.
Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic… but essentially, it’s a dedicated space where you can ‘drop’ items as you walk through the door – keys, bags, coats, shoes, or mail.
It sounds simple, but it makes a world of difference!
When we moved to a smaller home, I found myself constantly battling piles of clutter.
Mail seemed to multiply on the kitchen counter, my keys played hide and seek when I was in a rush, and shopping bags claimed any free chair they could find.
Sound familiar?
It was frustrating and stressful, and I knew I had to find a solution. And so, the drop zone in our home was born.
The difference was immediate. No more frantic morning searches, no more mail-cluttered surfaces.
We all know that creating a functional and stylish home is a never-ending project.
And, with kids in the house, this task is an uphill battle at times—especially when it comes to maintaining order once everyone’s stuff starts drifting across the floor and flying around throughout the day.
Sports gear, book bags, shoes, water bottles, you name it; it all piles up somewhere.
Having a designated area for all of these miscellaneous items will help bring some sanity back and make it easier to find those everyday items quickly when you need them most.
If you’re not design-savvy, don’t worry.
Your drop zone can be as simple or as extravagant as you (and your budget) want it to be, and you don’t need to hire an interior designer or a magician to get it done.
You just need some clever organizing items, savvy storage solutions, and this simple step-by-step guide.
With these tips, you’ll be able to easily makeover any small space into the perfect drop zone area in no time.
This post is about how to create a drop zone in your house.
How to Create a Drop Zone in Your House
Step 1: Assess Your Needs
Let’s start with a simple question: What exactly do you need your home drop zone to do for you and your family?
Is it more about adding some style to your space or purely for functionality?
What do you need to store in this space?
Think about those small items that always seem to end up in a messy pile at home. Are you constantly tripping over your shoes or finding yourself buried under sports equipment?
Then, a shoe rack for shoe storage or wall hooks to hang sports gear might be a good idea to include.
Maybe you need a spot for pet supplies or a place to hang coats and scarves. How about a handy pet basket for those ever-multiplying toys?
Identifying these things is the first step towards creating a truly functional drop zone that works just for you.
Now, let’s discuss WHY you want to create this drop zone.
Is it to declutter your living room, have a dedicated spot for seasonal gear, or simply provide easy access to everyday items?
Understanding your “why” is crucial—it’s like setting the destination on your GPS. It will guide you in setting up an effective drop zone that fits your needs.
What was my why?
Digging through piles and being unable to find what I needed made me feel overwhelmed, cranky, and frustrated. I wanted to create a drop zone to feel more at ease in my home.
Here’s a pro tip: As you read through this post, grab a notepad and jot down all your items and reasons for having a drop zone. This list will be your trusty compass, leading you through the next steps of this exciting journey.
Remember, the ultimate goal of a drop zone is to make your life easier and your home more organized.
So take a deep breath, think about what you really need, and don’t forget that every family is unique. Your drop zone should be as one-of-a-kind as you are.
Step 2: Identify the Best Location
Now that you know why you want a drop zone, you’ll need to identify the best location for it.
Choose an area of your home that is both convenient and visually appealing.
Fortunately, there are several good options to choose from, depending on the layout of your home and your personal preferences.
One popular spot for a drop zone is by the front door, as this is where most people enter and exit their homes.
The laundry room is another great choice, as it’s a space that’s often underutilized and can benefit from the added functionality of a drop zone. Plus, it’s typically out of the way, so you don’t have to worry about nosey guests peeking at your calendar or mail.
… maybe I’m the only one who worries about that, though.
If you have an unused wall in your mudroom space, this could also be the perfect spot for a drop zone.
In fact, for our drop zone, we took advantage of a tiny, unused space in our home and converted it into a small mudroom, which has been a game changer.
When choosing the best location for your drop zone, it’s important to consider how you actually use your home.
For example, you might want to put the drop zone near the garage if that’s typically used more frequently than other entryways.
If you have the extra space, some people even opt to create their drop zone in the garage before entering the house’s main part.
Finally, if you can avoid it, I would advise against placing your drop zone near a back door unless it’s an area that you use frequently.
Otherwise, you’ll find it’s out of the way and doesn’t get used as intended.
Ultimately, the key is to find a location that has the space you need and makes sense for your lifestyle so you’ll use it regularly.
Step 3: Consider Must-Have Elements for Your Drop Zone
When creating a functional and organized drop zone in your home, you should consider a few must-have items.
I firmly believe these elements should in some way be included in all drop zone spaces for the space to be most effective. Of course, this is just my personal opinion.
You’re the boss of your own home, so do what works best for you, your family, and your budget.
Wall Hooks
Wall hooks are the backbone of any successful drop zone.
They provide a designated spot for hanging your coats, bags, and keys in an organized fashion.
Mixing small and larger hooks will ensure enough space for all your items.
For our coats, we used oil-rubbed bronze hooks that match the ones on our entryway wall, gold hooks lower for back packs (unfortunately, the ones we used are no longer sold), and small command hooks for keys as part of our family’s command center.
[RELATED: Board and Batten Entryway | Stunning DIY Transformation for Under $100]
Shelf or Cabinet
If you have space on a wall, then a couple of shelves or a cabinet is helpful.
This is especially useful if you have smaller items like sunglasses, hats, or gloves that you want to keep out of sight.
A shelf or cabinet with some storage bins can help keep these items organized and easily accessible.
If you have an actual mud room in your home, you may prefer some built-in cabinetry.
Click here to read our post on how we built our DIY bench and shelves.
Storage Baskets
Storage baskets are another must-have for any drop zone.
They add a decorative touch and are perfect for holding items that don’t necessarily need to be hung up on hooks.
They can store scarves, mittens, and other small accessories. We like to use baskets for all of our out-of-season gear.
A few small baskets will help keep your drop zone organized and clutter-free.
Command Center
A family command center is a designated area in your home where you can keep track of everything from schedules to meal planning to important documents.
Some examples of what you might include in your family command center are a calendar, a bulletin board, a chore chart, and a filing system to organize mail piles and other paperwork.
The idea is to have everything in one central location so everyone knows what’s happening and can stay on top of their responsibilities.
Floor Mat
A floor mat is an often-overlooked drop zone element, but it’s important.
A floor mat will help protect your floors from dirt, mud, and other debris that can be tracked in on shoes.
Plus, a floor mat can add some color and texture to your space.
We purchased this black doormat from Amazon and love it as it traps the dirt without being super visible and is easy to clean.
Lighting
You definitely don’t want your drop zone to feel all gloomy, and you want to be able to use it, even at night.
Make sure you place it in an area with plenty of light or add some yourself.
You can use a little desk lamp or an overhead light to give it the desired illumination.
Step 4: Optional Ideas for Your Drop Zone
Every family has unique needs. Depending on the needs of your own drop zone, here are some additional entryway drop zone ideas you might consider:
Small Bench: A great place to sit down and slide off those shoes – a little comfort goes a long way. We built our own, but there are good options available for purchase too.
Charging Station: This is a dedicated area to juice up your electronics in an organized way. No more lost cords!
Shoe Rack: A great way to keep those wandering shoes in check and your floor space clear.
Mirror: A quick check before you head out because we all want to look our best!
Basket or Bin for Umbrellas: Especially handy if you’re in a rainy climate!
Corkboard or Whiteboard: Perfect for reminders, shopping lists, or sweet little notes. Who said organization can’t be fun?
Trash Can: Because wrappers and tissues need a home too!
Small Desk: A hub for all those essential bills and papers.
Remember, the size of your space will guide what you can include. Make it work for you, not against you.
Step 5: Tips to Keep Your Drop Zone Clean & Tidy
Create a System
Make sure everything in your drop zone has a designated spot. Use labels, if needed, to help everyone in the family remember where things belong. My trusty label maker is my best friend regarding home organization.
Declutter Regularly
Stuff can pile up quickly, even in the most organized drop zones. Establish a routine to declutter this space. Whether it’s once a week, every other week, or monthly, choose what works best for you and stick to it. This will prevent any build-up of clutter from getting too overwhelming.
Mail Maintenance: The mail bin can quickly become a black hole if we don’t keep up with it. My personal trick? Go through it on Sundays. No new mail comes in, and it’s a great way to start the week fresh. But let’s be real: some weeks are busier than others, and that’s okay! Even if it ends up being just one Sunday a month, that’s still progress.
Shop this Post
Concluding Thoughts
You now have all the essential information to create the perfect drop zone for your needs, making life at home so much easier.
With just a few simple steps, you can ensure you don’t waste precious time rummaging through items strewn around the house daily.
And it doesn’t have to cost much money or take a lot of time to transform your designated space from cluttered chaos to organized.
If you know someone who could benefit from this advice, please pass it along; we’ve all had moments of frustration after too many possessions pile up, and knowing how to manage them better will save us all some serious headaches.
Check out more of our home organization and decor content!