Three Tips for Taking Care of Your Entryway Floors

We’ve all heard of spring cleaning, and with winter well and truly behind us, we’re looking ahead to what kind of spring maintenance projects are lined up. When it comes to caring for your home, one of the most important, and often overlooked, areas is the entryway into your home.

As the first thing that visitors, guests, family and friends alike will see when entering your home, keeping your entryway clean and organized is essential.

Design by KATE DAVIDSON  Photography by MIKE CHAJECKI

Each season presents unique challenges for caring for your home, and spring is no exception. From umbrellas stacked by the door after a rain spell, to mud and water tracked in from afternoons spent puddle jumping and exploring the great outdoors, spring can create the perfect storm for turning your elegant entryway into an extension of the dirt and chaos that lies beyond your front door.

With that in mind, we’ve created a guide to caring for your entryway this spring. Follow these 3 tips to keep your entryway looking it’s best this spring, and throughout the rest of the year!

1. Schedule Regular Cleaning

Design by LINDA MAZUR  Photography by JASON HARTOG

Of course, the first step in caring for your entryway is conducting regular cleanings that will not only make your space feel fresh and more inviting but will also prolong the longevity of your floors and other important interior elements. How to care for your specific entryway depends on the type of flooring that you have, but some elements remain the same.

The first thing that we recommend is vacuuming and sweeping weekly to ensure dirt and debris that has found its way indoors is not left to scratch or damage your floors. If you have hardwood in your entryway, follow up the vacuuming or sweeping with a dry mop once or twice a month to really ensure you’re getting a deep clean. If you have tile, laminate, or a similarly water-resistant flooring, you can use a wet mop. Be sure to check that whatever cleaner you use is warranty-approved for your specific floors – the best way to make sure is to check what advice the manufacturer of your floor gives on care and maintenance.

2. Organization and Storage

Design by MICHELLE BERWICK  Photography by LARRY ARNAL

When it comes to organization, there is no one-size-fits-all. The best organization and storage tools are going to be the ones that work best for you, your lifestyle, and the things that tend to pile up in your entryway.

If loose shoes and piles of jackets are staples of your entryway, and there’s no hall closet in site, a custom storage chest may be the perfect solution to disorganization. The beauty of a storage piece is that they are incredibly versatile – you can choose the color, what kind of storage you need, such as hooks, drawers, shelving, etc., and you can include elements of convenience, like a bench to sit on while putting on or taking off shoes and outdoor gear.

Design by SARA BEDERMAN  Photography by STEPHANI BUCHMAN

If storage isn’t a necessity, but your entryway is still in need of some organization, don’t be afraid to get creative to meet your needs. Consider putting hooks up for your most commonly worn jackets, or as a place to store leashes, harnesses, etc. for your four-legged friends. Maybe a discrete shoe rack is more of what you need, or a basket to hold umbrellas and other rain gear. There is no wrong way to organize your entryway, only what works best for you.

3. Utilize a Welcome Mat

Investing in a high-quality door mat is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your floors from wear and tear. By placing a door mat at every entrance, you create the first line of defense against dirt, moisture, and debris that can scratch and damage your flooring. Whether you have hardwood, tile, or carpeted floors, a door mat helps trap these elements before they get inside, reducing the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance. Additionally, door mats provide an extra layer of safety by preventing slips and falls on wet or dirty floors. Keep your home looking its best and prolong the life of your flooring with the simple addition of a door mat.