Update your entryway for winter

We may be in the middle of fall, enjoying the pumpkins and the cider and the leaves, but rest assured:

Winter is coming!  Is your entryway ready?  Here are a few tips to get your winter gear ready to go for those first cold mornings.

Get out the gear.  Go through the coat closet, or storage area if you've had the winter gear tucked away for the summer.  Now is a great time to find matches for gloves, check to see if everything still fits (especially for kids!), and make a list of additional items you'll be needing to pick up.

Image credit: MarthaStewart.com

Make it accessible.  Incorporate a few baskets or bins to organize gloves, hats, and scarves for each member of the family.  Keeping these things within reach this time of year reduces the amount of time it takes to get out the door in the morning!

Image credit: Wayfair.com

Keep it dry.  For soggy snow pants and gloves, an expandable drying rack is a great solution.  You don't want wet gloves & hats going into a basket with dry items, or hanging a wet coat in a closed closet.  The drying rack can be set up when needed, and tucked away to save space until its next use.

Image credit: Wayfair.com

Protect your floors.  A boot tray isn't really necessary year round, but in the wet and snowy fall and winter months it really comes in handy.  Puddles have a tendency to travel, and that can create a slipping hazard or damage to your floors.  Simply add a boot tray in the garage or mudroom, to keep the water in check.