The Organizer

Dear Devorah 

I can’t get my kids to hang up their stuff. I’ve told them a thousand times where everything goes, but the second they walk in the door, everything gets dumped. It always looks like a tornado hit my hallway. Help! 

-Mudroom Mess

 

Dear Mess,

You set up hooks. You gave every kid a spot. You reminded them (nicely… then not-so-nicely) where everything goes.

And still—every afternoon looks the same.

Cleats in the hallway. Rollerblades by the fridge. A backpack tossed halfway up the stairs and a football flag looped over a kitchen chair. Six right sneakers (no lefts in sight), and one random elbow pad.

Whether you have a proper mudroom or just a hallway corner pretending to be one, the entryway tends to collect everything: backpacks, shoes, sports gear, mail, wrappers, water bottles, sweatshirts—and that one sock no one will claim.

So how do you make this space work for real life?

Let’s drop the idea of perfect systems and talk about what actually works—for kids who dump, families who are busy, and entryways that need help NOW.

Step 1: Give Everyone a Designated Spot (And Label It Clearly)

If you want your family to start putting things where they belong, you have to make it really obvious where those places are—and make them feel personal.

Whether it’s a hook, a bin, a shelf, or a corner of the floor that you’ve claimed in the name of peace and order, every person needs their own clearly labeled spot.

Especially for younger kids, labels make a bigger difference than you’d expect. When a hook says “Shira” or a bin says “Ezzy,” it feels like their space—not just another thing Mommy set up. And the more ownership they feel, the more likely they are to use it.

The label doesn’t need to be fancy. You can write it in Sharpie on painter’s tape. You can print something cute and laminate it. Or better yet—let your child decorate their own. A name with a heart, a car, or a soccer ball goes a long way for a five-year-old.

Bonus tip: Change the labels once a season to keep it fresh. A new color or funny sticker can catch their eye again—and remind them it exists.

Step 2: If You’re Using Hooks—Reinforce Them Like You Mean It

Hooks are a great idea—until they fall off the wall the first time someone hangs a 15-pound backpack filled with mystery papers and soggy water bottles.

If you’re expecting hooks to hold up anything heavier than a hoodie, they need to be installed correctly.

● Use drywall anchors or screw directly into a stud

● Choose deep, durable hooks that can actually handle weight

● Test them before relying on them—and recheck them a few times a year

Step 3: And If That’s Still Not Working… Embrace the Dump (But Make It Contained)

Some kids just aren’t hook people. You’ve tried. You’ve reminded. You’ve pointed to the adorable little label with their name on it. Still—bags on the floor, sweatshirts in a pile, cleats in the hallway.

So let’s stop fighting it and start working with it.

Create a designated dump zone.

You’ve got options:

● One big shared bin for all backpacks and gear

● Individual bins for each kid, if you have room

● Or even just a few simple bins: one for backpacks, one for sports equipment one for shoes and rain boots —so everything isn’t one jumbled mess

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s containment.

Even if the knapsacks still get dumped, at least they’re being dumped in the right place. It’s easier to reset, looks more intentional, and you’re not tripping over a soccer cleat on your way to the kitchen.

And here’s the secret: coordinating bins change everything. When bins are uniform in size and style—even if they’re full of chaos—the space looks calm. Choose something open-topped, sturdy, and wipeable. Then label it. Simple. Done.

Step 4: Make It Easy to Reset (And Take It Outside When You Can)

If it takes a full cleanup production to get ready for Shabbos or guests, your system isn’t sustainable.

That’s why I recommend using bins that are easy to move.

If everything’s in labeled baskets near the entryway, you can do a five-second reset before candle-lighting: scoop them up and tuck them in a closet, behind a curtain, or even in the laundry room. You get your hallway back—and a little bit of mental calm.

And when the weather warms up? Use outdoor storage.

You don’t need a fancy deck box. A plastic bin with holes or slats will do the trick. Just make sure water can drain out—otherwise you’ll end up with a wet pile of moldy shin guards and mystery mud.

Use your outdoor bin for:

● Rollerblades

● Balls

● Football flags

● Water bottles and goggles

It keeps the mess outside and gives your kids a clear, visual place to dump things before they step into your clean floors.

Final Thoughts: Build the System 

They’ll Actually Use

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s function.

If your kids aren’t using the system you set up, it doesn’t mean you failed. It just means it’s time to adjust. The best organizing setups aren’t the ones that look pretty in a catalog—they’re the ones your family can stick to.

So:

● Give each kid a spot

● Label it clearly

● Reinforce your hooks

● Embrace the dump zone when needed

● And build in flexibility for busy seasons and messy days

Your house doesn’t have to be flawless. It just has to feel like it works for you.

And if your kids are hanging things up neatly without being asked?

Seriously—call me. I want to know your secret.

Happy Organizing,

Devorah