Storage where you enter and exit your home is one of the most important things to consider when thinking about efficiency and saving time.  Think about having coats, hats, gloves, scarves and back packs all stowed in one place to pick up as you leave the house and drop off as you enter.  Having a bulletin board with a calendar in this area is another great way to keep track of such things as permission slips for the field trip due today, and reminders for the orthodontist or soccer physical after school.

There are so many ways to orchestrate this “command center”.  You will find open cabinetry that is similar to lockers for hanging bulky jackets and hockey sticks and helmets.  There are cubbies for mittens, gloves and scarves and hooks for all the rest.  Combination units will have openings for baskets or boots, closed storage for all the stuff that is out of season or just not used every day.

Having this type of storage may seem like a luxury, but what price can you place on a little sanity in a busy household with parents working and kids in all kinds of after school activities?  Look for a space or closet that is under-utilized near the door you use most.  Is there space for a small wall unit that would accommodate the detritus of your everyday life?

If you enter and exit through a larger room, like a family room, you can create a “foyer” type space within a room by adding a large cube unit to use for the loose books, boots and backpacks.  Add some hooks to the sides of the unit or if the unit.  If the unit has an open space for a TV, you can put a bulletin board or white board for messages from one family member to another as they passes through.

Of course, you can have something custom built to suit your family’s particular needs, but there are lots of ready-made solutions if you can think outside of the box, so to speak.  If you happen to have a double sliding door closet at the front or back door, you can easily remove those doors easily and install a unit such as the ones I have described; it would be far easier to keep it organized without doors and it would be more accessible and therefore useful.

Let your imagination open to some new possibilities that can offer you a better start to your busy day.