The entryway closet is often treated as a catch-all for anything that doesn’t have a designated home, but professional organizer Lori Williamson, founder of Now It’s Clean, warns that certain items can turn this convenient space into a source of frustration and even odor problems. In a recent interview, Williamson identified five categories of belongings that should never be stored in an entryway closet, along with strategies to keep the area organized.
Williamson’s first caution is about pet supplies. While bulky bags of food and litter might seem like a logical fit for a closet near the door, she notes that entryway closets typically lack ventilation. Strong pet-related odors can cling to coats, shoes, and other items stored nearby. “No one wants to walk out the door smelling like their pet,” she said. Instead, she recommends keeping pet food and litter in a well-ventilated area, such as a pantry or laundry room, and using an airtight bin to contain smells.
Cleaning products are another common but problematic addition. Many people assume that because these products are meant to clean, they are harmless to store anywhere. However, Williamson points out that the strong scents—like lemon breeze or lavender mist—can be overwhelming when transferred to clothing. If extra supplies must be kept in the entry closet, she advises sticking to non-scented, non-liquid items like cleaning cloths or paper towels, and storing them in a basket to prevent spills.
Pantry items, particularly root vegetables like potatoes and onions, are a surprising but frequent find in entryway closets. Williamson says she has seen people stash them there when kitchen space runs short, thinking the cool, dark environment mimics a cellar. But she cautions that these vegetables can sprout or rot, releasing odors that permeate the closet. “A closet should never smell like last night’s dinner,” she said. Her advice is to keep all food storage in the kitchen and reserve the closet for items that won’t decompose.
Why Mail and Off-Season Clothing Are Trouble
Mail is another item that Williamson says should never be placed in an entryway closet. She describes the space as a “Bermuda Triangle” for paper, where items go in and rarely come out. The lack of visibility means bills, invitations, and coupons can be forgotten until they expire. “Before you know it, that innocent stack turns into a graveyard of expired coupons, missed invitations, and unopened bills,” she said. Her recommendation is to handle mail immediately upon entering the home: recycle it, file it, or pay it.
Out-of-season clothing is the final category Williamson warns against. While heavy coats are essential in winter, leaving them in the entry closet during warmer months creates clutter and makes it harder to find what you need. “A jammed closet doesn’t work because you’ll forget what you have and won’t even want to deal with it,” she said. She suggests rotating wardrobe items seasonally, putting away winter coats in summer and vice versa, to avoid “fighting your closet every time you open the door.”
Quick Tips for an Organized Entryway Closet
Once the closet is cleared of these items, Williamson offers three simple strategies to maintain order. First, use baskets or bins to corral small items like mittens, scarves, and hats that tend to get lost. Second, invest in sturdy hangers for heavy coats, as wire hangers often bend and drop clothing to the floor. Finally, keep shoes on a rack or tray and rotate them seasonally so only daily-wear pairs are visible. These steps, she says, help the entryway closet function as a true landing pad rather than a black hole.
