Another example of before and after in an entryway from Aimee, a member in our MIH Group...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will find that taking one little section of your home and decluttering it cannot only make a huge difference but will inspire you to move on to the next area.  You might find yourself saying, "What else can I do?!"

 

If you have an area that you just don't know what to do with try doing some research online or at your local library and thumb through some magazines to get ideas.  Our local library allows us to check out several magazines at a time.

 

We have been discussing how some of the front entryways and foyers are missing in homes and when you walk in you are right into the main part of the house...

It is amazing to see the transformations that take place...that is what I love about using the digital camera in our decluttering mission.  The other thing you notice is how very little time it took and you wonder why you didn't do it sooner! 

 

Being that your entry way is in the back, which is the very same with Aimee's pictures above, make it as warm and inviting as you can and maybe add a little bit of whimsy too.  You mentioned your entryway was in a mud room...think about what you have in there...other than shoes and such...but think of ways to make that room cute.  You could add a bench that has cubby's underneath or use pretty baskets to go under to store shoes, gloves and mittens and whatever else.  Above that you could place a coat rack by using an old mirror framed with pegs at the bottom or an old shovel or maybe even an old ladder front with hooks or old nails bent to use for hooks.  Pictures on the wall could be family pictures or ones you have found that have children with muddy shoes or cartoons showing children walking through the house with mud prints following behind.  Old calendars can be used to make pictures with.  Frames can be bought inexpensively at Walmart.  You could use a message board or chalkboard...

This is a picture of our back entryway located in our kitchen.  This was used for homeschooling instruction but now our 11 year old has decided to make her own calendar that all of us take turns throughout the month to write little messages on the board or draw a picture.  Also notice said 11 year old's pink shoe hidden underneath!!  "Ohhh Sarah????!!!"

 

I had Blaine install tea cup hooks underneath to hold keys and knick knacks.  Depending on what style you have throughout your home you can pick and choose what you want this entrance to say about you and your family.  Maybe this is a great place to hang your children's artwork.

 

For your walkway...you could make one out of leftover stone or concrete that has been broken up and allow grass, moss or creeping flowers to grow between the cracks.  This should help with the mud and lead people to your front door...as an option.  You can make your own concrete walking stones using old pizza boxes.  Tape up the sides so that they are firm and will hold their edges.  Using concrete mix (making sure it is the one without stone in it unless you wish to use this as a feature) fill the box with the mix and let your children design their own walkway stone with their hand prints, stones or draw a design with a stick. 

 

Here are a few more examples to take a peek through and hopefully to inspire you...