‘Tis the season for invigorating spring refreshes, and — most importantly — it’s time to stop tripping over those shoes, scattered toys, or abandoned bags and boxes as you return home through an entryway or mudroom. It’s never seemed easier to create an arrival scene that generates ease and calm from the get-go, and one that sets the tone for the rest of your sacred abode. A recent California Closets ad campaign, filmed here in a beautiful Portland house, perfectly captures this call to finally secure a "no-tripping-over-a-shoe-pile moment.” We couldn’t find that promise more appealing.

An entryway not only greets all of those who visit, making an initial impression upon anyone who comes into your space; it also repeatedly welcomes you back to your refuge after a long day away. There is great power to be found in a thoughtfully-designed entryway, melding intention with design and, of course, function, too. And there’s something to be said for walking into clean surfaces, a soothing layout, and organizational elements that guarantee every item you handle on the daily (keys, dog collars, purses, lunchbags) has its own designated spot.

Depending on the concept of the home, an entryway can simply be a landing zone at the front of the house, condo, or apartment where you desire a few hooks, drawers, or shelving for shoes, umbrellas, and totes. A beautiful accent panel in the background might mimic the character of the home. Perhaps you’re working with a big, dramatic, and open space with minimal design needed — or a cozier, compact offering with tasteful surprises like a dog bed tucked under a stairway nook. No matter the size or set-up, this foyer will be customized to reflect your personal life and style, and to set the feel for rooms to come. It easily can complement how you’ve already designed the rest of the house, and of course, factor in how the family functions and flows throughout its spaces.

As an alternative, a mudroom off the garage may be your main entry point, and one that can easily be transformed to address the needs of the entire family. You might prioritize cubbies for hats and sports gear, cabinetry for shoes and jackets (lighter ones to the front, now that temps are warming up and PNW nights are getting longer), hooks for keys and pet leashes, and a designated bin for recycling junk mail or kid-friendly crafts, toys, and snacks. Closed storage options conceal messes you’d rather remain tucked away, while open storage with baskets helps keep a light and airy flow.

A locker room-like mudroom works well for households with more members; this means every kid gets designated areas for their coats, backpacks, and other gadgets. In either space, a bench seat might be added as a landing zone on which to temporarily set down groceries or to sit as you peel off muddy shoes. (We are heading into one of the region’s greatest adventure seasons after all!)

The timing couldn't be more ideal to bring these dreams to life and to enlist California Closets’ help. As luck would have it, the Oregon and SW Washington design teams recently participated in training specific to mudrooms, as a part of the company’s commitment to ongoing development. While working to become experts in all areas of the home, they also stay on top of all the latest products and innovations, and love passing along their findings to those on the hunt. 

This spring season, get your entryway and mudroom creative juices flowing by enlisting the wisdom and expertise of California Closets’ designers. There’s a designer in your neighborhood – give us a call for a complimentary in-home idea consultation at 503-885-8211. You can also visit the brand at CaliforniaClosets.com, or stop into a local showroom located in the Pearl in Portland, West Linn (exit 8 off of 205), down in Bend on Newport Ave., or in the brand-new space in Vancouver, Washington.