Decluttering: Front Entry/Foyer

This week our MIH Group has been working on decluttering our Front Entrys and Foyers.  We have been using our digital cameras to help us look at areas of our homes with different eyes and to see the difference decluttering can make.  We are not only decluttering but sharing ideas on how to make our entry and foyers welcoming to those who walk through our doors.  What does your entry/foyer say to your guests as they walk in? 

Yesterday I posted an assignment to the group about this very thing...

Assignment:

Go to your entry/foyer area and take a look at it coming in as if you
were a guest arriving for the first time...What do you see?  Does
this area say "Welcome!  We are so glad to see you and have you in
our home?"

When someone walks in what impression do they get from you and your
family?

I have a buffet table that I use in our entry way that has our family
pictures on them.  I have two table lamps there with books used to
give some of the pictures height.  I use a table runner on this and
change during the some of the seasons by simply flipping it over.
One side is needlework and the other is plain dark green...perfect
for Easter and Christmas.  I didn't have to buy or store anything
extra here...just flip and voila!  :O)

I know that many of you have shared that you don't have an entry way
or foyer but one in where you walk right into a certain
room...well...how about the front door?  Do you have a floor mat
there that says welcome?  Wreath on the door?  Could you place a
wicker chair outside the front door or an old chair that could have a
plant placed in the seat portion?

Using different eyes to look at your area helps.  That is why I use
the camera to be that other set of eyes for me.  If you are still
having problems...borrow a friend.

Make a list of things you notice.  Try to picture in your mind of
what you would like to see in this area and write it down on your
list and start to think of things you can use or find in and around
your home that could be placed in this area...

Place a mirror by the front entry to reflect light from a window or
doorway.  Mirrors also give the illusion of bigger space.

Take some time today to look through magazines or online of examples
of front doorways.

Keep this list handy of things you may need so that the next time you
are garage sale-ing, antique-ing or thrift-ing...and you find
something you need or could use...pick it up...but only if it is in
your price range.  I had a dear friend that would only take $20 with
her when she went thrift-ing...that was her spending money and she
stuck to it and found some wonderful and unique items for her home.

Tomorrow we will start on this area from top to bottom!

The ladies in the group have not only shared their pictures but some great ideas on how to make this area welcoming.  We have tried to "shop at home" for the items we need.  Many of us have discovered that we have just what we need located somewhere else in the house to add the perfect touch!

Let's get started in decluttering and cleaning this area up!  I have decluttered this area already but will show you some of the steps I take when I am not only decluttering but when I do my Spring/Fall Cleaning.  I will be placing Options or extras you can do while you are decluttering.  You may not be ready for the Options yet if you have a lot of clutter to go through.  Options can be done later on when you have time.  I highly recommend decluttering first.

First take a picture of your front entry/foyer. 

(Notice the cleaning supplies ready and waiting!   When decluttering, be sure to have a few yard bags on hand to store items you are throwing away and/or donating.  If there is an item in this area that needs to go to another room/home...place it in that room and walk away.  Do not start cleaning/decluttering that room...we are focusing on the entryway and foyer only this week!  We will address that other area later on.)

Take a look at your pictures on the computer and what is it that you see?  Some have found that by doing this little step to be very eye opening. 

 OPTIONS: 

Curtains:  If you have windows in this area start off by taking down curtains and placing them in the wash or take to the dry cleaners...depending on the type and care required for your curtains.  (If you have table toppers, rugs and anything else...check to see if these things need cleaning.) 

Mini-Blinds:   Take these down and give them a good soak in the tub.  I use sudsy ammonia to help break down the grease and dust.  When we moved into this home, back in November, the previous owners not only smoked in the house but I don't think they ever cleaned the blinds...ever!  We not only had to run our blinds through several soakings but many had to be scrubbed. 

Our curtains and blinds can harbor dust and odors.  Giving them a good cleaning will help eliminate odors and allergies caused by dust.

Windows:  I first dust this area completely using my duster...dusting and collecting cobwebs before I start to clean my windows.  Spritz with your favorite window cleaner making sure to wiped down the sills as well.  When your windows are sparkly and clean...wipe down the wood areas with furniture polish and stand back and admire your clean windows!

You can start decluttering your area while the curtains are washing and the mini-blinds are soaking...

Some questions to ask yourself as you touch each item in this area...

• Do I love this?  Does this item bring me joy and happiness?  Is this a gift given to me a gift or does it bring on guilt? (The things I have in my home are the things that remind me of good things...not bad.)
• Have I used this or need this?  Could someone else use this more than me?
• And most importantly...If Jesus were to walk into my home right now...would this item or items grieve Him?

With your duster, wipe down the walls and ceilings for dust and cobwebs or use your vacuum cleaner attachments.  If you have pictures on the walls...take them down and dust/polish the frames and follow with window/glass cleaner on the glass.

If you have furniture in this area...take everything off and do the same with pictures, knickknacks.  If you have a table topper...check to see if this needs to be washed as well.  This may be able to go in with your curtains. 

Check rugs or rug runners...do they need a good cleaning?  Some rugs can be thrown in the washer if not...give them a good vacuuming or shaking outside.

Remember...we are working from the ceiling right down to the floor.  Anything in between will get a good cleaning and or decluttering.  Open the drawers or closets in this area and decide what needs to stay and what needs to go! 

Clear everything off your furniture and as you place items back on give them a good cleaning.  Decide if this is something you want to keep in this area.  If you want to cozy up this spot...find items in and around your home to place in or on tables.  I love to use doilies.  They are not that expensive (dollar stores carry them and sometimes in packs of 3) and can add just the right touch to your area. 

(The clock on this table is from the 1930's and I just love the chimes.  Even though the clock does not keep proper time, it was struck with lightening when we lived in Florida, I love it just the same.  Items that make sounds (clocks, water fountains) or scents (candles, pot pourri, drawer liners) can add to the ambience of your home.)

(This server is used as a storage area for our family photos...notice my little helper to the right.  I have decluttered this by placing our family photos in photo boxes by date.  One day, when time allows, I will maybe place these photos in albums but for now this is a good solution.  Everything is neat and tidy and doesn't look messy.).

Table runners can do the same and can add a seasonal touch.  I have polished both the table and the server (normally used in a dining area but I like using items not normally thought of in different areas of my home.)  As I place items back on...I have given them a good cleaning.  I have used books here to give some height to some of the pictures we have displayed.

I have a few baskets I use not only for storage but to cover up unsightly cords.  Cords dangling down tend to become unnoticed when we see them everyday.  Try and find ways to hide cords with baskets, plants or by simply rearranging items.  Don't forget to give your baskets a good polishing...they can hold onto a lot of dust!  Be sure to wipe down your baseboards and vacuum that little space between your wall and floor.  That little crevice likes to hold on to dust, dog hair and gunk!

With everything polished and placed back...

...which doesn't take that long.  I think we imagine it to take hours when in reality it is us who make it more that it is. 

If you chose to do the Options above...go check on your mini-blinds.  Give them a good scrubbing if need be and rinse.  I shake them out in the tub to get rid of any excess water.  If you have a helper...ask them to wipe them down with a clean towel and place back in your clean and shiny window.  Check on your curtains, if you have washed them, and place in the dryer on low setting.  Iron if necessary and hang back up.

Take a picture after everything is back in order.  Compare your before and after photos.  You may want to print your after photos and keep in a folder and take with you as you go about shopping for certain items needed to make this area the way you imagined it should be. 

And for your final step...

Go make yourself a glass of iced tea, hot tea or cup of coffee and sit back and enjoy the changes and hard work you have put in.  This is one of the most important steps you can take!!  You can see what can be done in a short period of time and be inspired to move on the next area.

If you have a lot going on in this area...you may need to break down your decluttering into weeks.  Spend the time you need in this area before you move on to the next.  What we don't want is to start several decluttering projects at one time.  This is a sure way to burn out because you don't finish a project and therefore you don't get to see the end results...the finished product! 

Throughout this week I will be sharing photos from our ladies within our group...they have not only graciously shared pictures of their homes but ideas and tips as well which I know will inspire us all to help making our homes welcoming and a haven for our families and all who enter in.

Love and God's Blessings,

Catherine