In Good Order

If your entry has a closet, it needs to work hard. Here's how to outfit a standard double-door closet to function like a behind-closed-doors mudroom. Clever solutions make space for shoes, cleaning supplies, pet stuff, and more.

- by KELLY ROBERSON

1 DON'T IGNORE THE DOOR

Utilize the back of the door as a get-out-of-the-house station complete with a dry-erase calendar to review the month ahead, a magnetic white board for writing notes and pinning invitations, and bins for glasses and keys.

2 SHOP YOUR HOUSE

Don't feel like you need to buy all new baskets and bins—just mix and match containers you already own to store cleaning supplies, stock paper and plastic goods, lunch boxes, etc. Choose containers with straight sides because they fit together more efficiently. Be sure to label each bin or the shelf where it sits.

3 KEEP IT HANDY