A Budget DIY Entryway Setup Kids Can Use On School Mornings

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School mornings are hectic, often with hardly a minute to spare before kids need to be in the car or at the bus stop. Depending on the number of kids and their ages, you may have to coordinate multiple departures. Fortunately, an organized entryway can streamline this process. Regardless of your home's layout, you can carve out a space that works to get your kids out the door quickly and easily, even on difficult school mornings. To begin, corral the essentials each child needs, like year-round necessities and season-specific items, so you know exactly how much gear you need to accommodate.

Rows of hooks are an awesome way to designate a dedicated spot for each kid's coat and backpack. These can be arranged at an easily accessible height, so younger kids can independently reach their gear. If you're not ready to commit to drilling into the wall, Command hooks can provide a flexible setup that's easily altered. However, check the maximum weight on the label. While Command makes a heavy-duty hook rated for 15 pounds, a middle or high-schooler's backpack could exceed that weight limit.

3M's Claw hooks offer a middle ground, holding up to 25 pounds in a drill-free option installed by pressing into the wall. For a more permanent solution, Toughooks come in a rainbow of colors that will brighten up your wall. Made of unbreakable nylon, they hold up to 88 pounds, creating a one and done solution kids won't outgrow.

You can also stretch your entryway's vertical storage further by adding a small wall-mounted pocket for each kids' papers to streamline the after-school routine. These could be clear to blend into the wall, or more robust wire bins. Bins or baskets are also crucial for corralling small accessories like a hat, sunglasses, or gloves. If each kid has their own designated container, it'll cut down on mix-ups. These bins can be mounted on the wall, placed in a cube organizer, or under a bench. A small bench is also convenient when helping young kids tie shoes.

Speaking of shoes, a small shoe shelf can neatly accommodate a couple of pairs for each kid. Pairs can be rotated in and out as needs/preferences change from week to week, eliminating decision fatigue, and keeping the entryway from getting cluttered. Alternatively, a cube organizer can also be used as an open shelf for footwear. These organizers can be placed vertically or horizontally to fit your space. The top of a horizontal cube organizer could also serve as a shelf for heavier backpacks, rather than hooks.

If your family's preferred entryway door is in a different room from your coat closet, it might actually be a plus. Coat closets are often a better place to use for longer-term storage. During the morning rush, it's very easy to end up with coats and backpacks getting jammed up. In addition, closet rods are often too high for younger family members to access.