Build an Entryway Drop Zone: Keys, Bags, Mail, Done

If keys, bags and mail end up on the kitchen counter, you need a drop zone: one small spot by the door where everything lands as you walk in.

The five parts of a drop zone

1. Hooks at shoulder height for bags and jackets.
2. A key tray or hook so keys always land in the same place.
3. A mail spot, which is the landing spot in our 4-folder paper system.
4. Shoe storage: a tray or a slim rack.
5. A charging spot if you have an outlet nearby.

No entryway? Make one

In apartments that open straight into the living room, use the wall behind the door: a slim shelf with hooks underneath gives you a drop zone in about 12 inches.

Picks

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• A wall shelf with hooks
• A small catch-all tray
• A boot tray for wet weather.
• A slim shoe rack

Keep it clear

Once a week, take back anything that doesn't belong. The drop zone is a waystation, not storage. A quick pass can fit into your 15-minute reset.