Our Back to School Landing zone!

If you’ve been reading this blog awhile you are probably aware that I have organization issues. It even affects how I’ve filed the posts on my site. I am constantly researching to improve and learned about landing pages or landing zones recently.

Apparently landing pages help organize a blog and bring search engine traffic to the right place.

So I figured that a home entry way organization “landing page” would help organize our home and bring traffic to the right place too.

After two weeks of school and soccer practices, I can say that our new entry way organization and landing zone is working fabulously.

This is how we made it

I went to Jo Ann’s and got a three cubby shelf (with a coupon of course) and three wood crates.  I normally buy cubby units from target but I wanted something sturdy and not pressed board.

We painted the shelf white and the cubes a pale yellow.

Pork Chop and Pea thought the yellow was too pale so I spray painted a coat of glossy bright yellow over the cubes.

We also got a wall shelf with hooks from the craft store and painted it white. (We did this one first. This whole project took place over a long period of time because I kept getting distracted!)

One cube holds Pea’s commonly worn shoes while the other hold Pork Chop’s shoes. The third cube has clean soccer socks, cleats, and shin guards in it.

The backpacks  and lunch bags go on the hooks.

Whether we are headed to school or practice, everything we need is ready to go.

Since the entry way is actually part of the living room, I didn’t want it to be all function and no form.

My tin can succulents and burlap bird art dress up the area. The two reindeer were thrift store finds that I was planning to paint for Christmas but the kids decided to put them on the shoe bench. They have excellent senses of style! The paper mâché deer tie together the natural brown of the burlap and bottom of the entry way.

Picking colors and decor also gives the kids a sense of ownership and a vested interest in keeping the area neat! Score!  I always thought entry way areas were a bit odd looking if they aren’t in a separate hallway.  Our front door opens right into the living room but practicality won out over my misconceptions.  Any little bit helps when it comes to cutting down morning stress.

Last year, we were stressed and rushing every day on the way to school.  It set the tone for the rest of the day.  Stress affects my son’s ability to sit still and pay attention in class and affects my daughter’s health.  I am doggedly struggling to overcome my lack of natural organizational ability for the benefit of my children and mixing practicality with my love of crafting is helping me keep at it!