Is Your Entryway Set Up For Life With Pets?

Life with pets is fun, rewarding, and, well, messy. Plus, having a pet adds responsibilities to your day and a lot more stuff inside your home. A well-equipped entryway designed for life with pets can make things tidier, easier, and cleaner.

Hang leashes and harnesses on hooks. Set up a basket with essentials like waste bags, a brush, and pet-safe wipes. Keep towels on hand for wet, muddy pups and kitties, and use furniture in the entryway that includes storage. A lint roller or other tool to tackle fur is another must, and a doormat helps trap excess dirt and debris.

Muddy paws, shedding fur, drool, and even hitchhiking critters are all part of the pet package. Early morning walks, impromptu car rides, and late-night jogs with your pup are other likely scenarios. If you don’t organize your entryway to handle these factors, you can end up stressed, late, or at the very least, with dirty floors.

Add These Things To Your Entryway If You Have Pets

To optimize your entryway for life with pets, make sure to add these items so they’re always in easy reach.

1. Hooks For Leashes And Harnesses

Hang a hook near your front door (or main point of entry) to hold leashes, harnesses, etc. If you keep your pet’s collar off while they’re indoors, hang it with your pet’s leash.

When you’re ready to take your dog, or even your cat, for a stroll, you’ll be able to grab these items quickly. Likewise, it’s easy to pop them back onto the hooks when you return home.

2. Basket For Walk Essentials

Keep a basket or small bin under the hooks for walk essentials. Alternatively, look for hooks that come with a built-in shelf, and you can keep the bin on there. Otherwise, a small table or console near the entryway also works.

In the basket, keep extra poop bags, the bag dispenser (unless it stays hooked onto the leash), and any other items you typically bring on your walks. For example, if you usually carry small treats or a clicker, keep these items in the basket.

When choosing containers for pet gear, opt for metal, wood, or plastic options that are easy to wipe. Fabric styles hold on to dirt and muck and are more difficult to keep clean.

2. Pet-Safe Wipes And Towels

When you get back home from a walk or playing outside with your pet, conquer muddy paws with pet-safe wipes. Baby wipes work, too, just use ones without any added fragrances or lotions.

In addition to cleaning your pet’s paws, wipes also help get rid of allergens and dirt that build up on your pet’s coat. A few clean towels also come in handy if your pet ends up getting wet during their outdoor adventures.

3. Fur Control

When you’re all dressed up and ready to go, the last thing you need is to realize you’re covered in your pet’s fur. Shedding is one of the more frustrating parts of owning a pet, but it’s inevitable in many cases.

Keep a lint roller or similar fur-catcher near your entryway, so you can banish the fuzz and hair before you head out the door. Depending on the style of tool you get, you can add it to the basket or hang it on the hooks.

A dedicated brush near the door is another way to make fur control easier. You can grab it as you head outside and have a quick outdoor brush session. You won’t have to worry about loose fur and anything else lurking in your pet’s coat ending up on your floors.

4. Pet-Friendly Flooring

Most people tend to have some kind of hard-surface flooring near their entryway. Vinyl and tile flooring are often waterproof and scratch-resistant, making them top picks for homes with pets.

Laminate is another option that is durable, although not always scratch-resistant. All of these are easy enough to wipe clean, but add a doormat to help catch excess dirt and grime from outside. Look for a mat with a rubber backing to prevent it from slipping and sliding.

If you have carpet immediately inside the door, don’t hesitate to put a doormat on top of it. Clean the mat regularly, shake it out and vacuum it, or opt for one that is machine washable.

5. Storage Furniture

When you have extra stuff, the more storage you can sneak in, the better. Near your entryway, consider furniture that provides multiple functions.

For example, a storage bench can hold extra pet supplies and give you a place to sit and put on shoes, fasten your pet’s harness, and wipe dirty paws. A tilt-out shoe cabinet holds spare shoes and can also hold towels, wipes, back-up waste bags, and other items.

6. A Barrier

Depending on your home’s layout, you may want to set up some type of barrier between the entryway and the rest of the house. This might be a pet gate or simply positioning shelving or furniture in such a way that it slows pets down.

The idea is to keep pets contained long enough for you to clean, wipe, remove harnesses, and everything else before they track dirt into the home. You may not always need this barrier.

It could be more useful when you first have your pet and are training them to know the routine and what to expect after a walk or outing. Once they’re good about staying put until you give the all-clear, you can remove the barrier.

7. Handheld Vacuum

Keep a chargeable, cordless, handheld vacuum inside a storage bench or console, or look for wall-mounted options. You can quickly clean up messes left behind after giving your pet a wipe-down or taking off dirty shoes.

Tips For Organizing Your Entry For Multiple Pets

If you have more than one pet, a little extra planning helps keep things running smoothly. Here are a few ideas to organize your entryway for multiple pets.

• Get a separate storage bin or basket for each pet.
• Color-code leashes and harnesses, so you can identify the right ones quickly.
• Add an extra doormat or get a supersized one so everybody fits.

Make Seasonal Adjustments As Needed

Depending on where you live, you may need to make a few tweaks to your entryway as the seasons change. For example, in the winter, you might need a spot for de-icing balms, booties, pet coats, and heavier mats that stand up to snow.

Allergy wipes and pet-friendly bug spray might be necessary in the spring and moving into the summer. Pet-safe sunscreen is another essential, and in hot summer months, your pet might even need a cooling vest for outdoor fun.

How To Make A Small Entryway Work With Pets

If you barely have enough space for you to get through the door, you may be wondering how you can create a functional entryway for your pets. It’s okay, not every home has a dedicated mudroom or wide foyer. You just need to get a little creative.

Maximize the vertical space, including the back of the door, using hooks and shelves. There are even shelves and hooks that fold up when not in use. Look for slim storage containers, and hang as much as possible to keep the floor clear.

Pare down your pet’s belongings so you only keep the essentials. If you have backstock, like extra rolls of poop bags or packs of pet wipes, keep these in another location. Only store one pack of wipes, one roll of bags, etc., by your entryway, and replenish from your storage area when needed.

A Pet-Friendly Entryway Makes Life Easier

You don’t have to expend a ton of energy, money, or time on creating a pet-friendly entryway. Simply keep things organized and on hand, so you can grab them quickly. Leashes, harnesses, poop bags, fur control, wipes, and other pet essentials should all be near the door.

Use bins made with hard surfaces to store pet items, hang leashes and harnesses on hooks, and get storage furniture. The focus should be to create a functional area that allows you and your pets to get in and out of the house quickly, cleanly, and safely.

Related Guides:

• 13 Easy Ways To Reduce The Amount Of Pet Hair In Your Home
• Home Cleaning Checklist For Pet Owners
• Say Goodbye To Pesky Pet Hair With These Low-Shed Dogs And Cats