Drop It! Use Drop Zones to Combat Clutter in a Home

After returning home from a long day at work or school, it’s natural to want to drop the keys, bags, purses and jackets, and just relax. However, over time this habit can result in a tremendous amount of clutter in the home, leading to misplaced items and an overall sense of disorganization. If clutter is threatening to take over your entryway, counters and even the dining room table, a “drop zone” could be the solution.

To determine how to organize your drop zone, first consider what items your family members routinely drop when they arrive home each day. Is it the car keys, mail, or clothing? Do you have school-age children who leave their backpacks on the floor, or teenagers who kick off their shoes in the middle of the entryway? Does hubby drop the dog leash and can’t seem to find it later? Once you know the drop zone items that are most common, it’s time to come up with an organizational strategy that works.

Make using the drop zone convenient and easy. Individual hooks installed at the main entryway of your home ensure that everyone has space for their own stuff. If you have a closet nearby, make sure it is clear and equipped to stash coats, jackets, and shoes out of sight. Another useful addition to a drop station is a hanging file where mail and bills can be stashed, and baskets or trays for wallets and miscellaneous items.

Since most modern families have multiple phones and electronic gadgets, a charging station is another convenient addition to the drop zone. This station keeps all chargers in one place and will juice up several devices at once while keeping cords tucked neatly away. Find out how to turn a standard electrical outlet into a four-port USB charger for your charging station.

Once you get a handle on your drop zones, you’ll be able to permanently keep the clutter at bay! For more tips you can integrate into kitchen or bathroom remodeling in Waukesha or surrounding areas, visit the Callen blog.