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For many of us, the autumn season brings with it more layers of clothing and heavier shoes, which means your entryway is in for a busy few months. Before things get out of control, it’s time to prepare your space for increased (and muddier) foot traffic. Here are four tips to help you organize for success.

Discard the old.

In the spring, you get rid of belongings you no longer use that accumulated over the winter. During the fall, you can do the same thing for summertime items. Begin by sorting the items in your entryway (like sandals) into two piles: keep and discard. Put the ‘keep’ items back in their place. After this, divide the discard pile into three groups (donate, throw away and recycle) and remove accordingly.

Place a mat.

Whether it’s leaves, dirt or snow, shoes and boots accumulate debris from nature that most people would prefer to leave outdoors. The best way to keep the floor clean is to set a mat right inside your doorway as well as outside. That will encourage people to wipe off the majority of the unwanted debris before stepping into your entryway. The mat inside can then serve as a secondary barrier against unwelcome dirt, as well as a place to put extra shoes and boots.

Invest in bins.

As cooler weather approaches, an increase in wearable accessories is sure to follow, including mittens, hats, scarves and earmuffs. Make sure you have space to arrange these items in an organized way by setting containers in easy-to-reach spots; on top of shelves and under benches are prime locations. That way, people have a convenient place to put their outer layers after peeling them off.

Find storage to match its users’ needs.

Make keeping the entryway simple throughout the winter by making hooks, shelves and containers easily accessible for everyone. If you have children, ensure they can reach the hooks to hang up their coat. If shoes, hats and mittens are usually left out instead of being put in the closed-door closet, consider open shelving units that allow kids to effortlessly deposit their belongings.

No matter the state of your entryway right now, preparing and cleaning the space for fall and winter will make staying tidy throughout these months trouble-free!