10 Things to Throw out in Your Mudroom or Entryway, According to Professional Organizers

The entryway tends to become the default landing zone for empty delivery boxes and packaging trash. “These take up a surprising amount of floor space or entryway bench space, making the entryway feel messy,” Parks says. She recommends tossing them instantly to free up room for items you actually do use on a daily basis.

Footwear has a way of multiplying and turning into piles by the door. To prevent a messy looking space and a tripping hazard, Lee recommends removing duplicate or rarely worn shoes. “Editing down to the pairs that are truly in regular rotation preserves visual clarity, protects the curated aesthetic of the room, and supports an intuitive routine for the whole family,” Lee says.

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“Torn gloves, bent umbrellas, and outdated accessories will contribute to visual noise,” Lee shares. Make room for the things you use and need by getting rid of broken and worn-out items that have been stored in the mudroom or entryway for years. “Releasing anything that no longer functions reinforces purposeful living and opens space for the items that genuinely serve your family,” Lee says.

“The charger you can’t identify, leftover Allen wrenches, or an excess of reusable bags tend to land in the mudroom because they have no clear home,” Bailey explains. To prevent clutter, the organizer suggests assigning a specific place for these items if they are needed, or tossing or donating them if they’re no longer useful. “By taking time to remove these items, you free up space, reduce visual clutter, and create an entryway that supports your family’s daily routines instead of overwhelming them,” Bailey says.

The entryway is a magnet for piles of mail, but Bailey recommends you don’t let paper end up here. “Head straight to the garbage or recycling and toss what is junk and then place anything of importance in its designated spot elsewhere in the home,” the professional organizer advises.

“Mudrooms often collect snacks over time that go bad,” Parks notes. Whether you forgot your lunch here at the beginning of the week or the car snack bag ended up here, old food is never a good thing—or a warm welcoming—in an entryway. “Expired food creates crumbs, attracts pests, and creates odors,” Parks says. Not only will tossing these items keep the space clean, it’ll save you the hassle of dealing with unwanted pests.

“Toys often migrate from the car or other rooms,” Bailey says. Instead of allowing them to pile up on the mudroom floor and get dirty, or take up valuable space on an entryway bench, tidy up and declutter the toys. “Return these to a child’s room or play space so the mudroom can stay clear and purposeful,” Bailey says.

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“Decorative pieces or bowls that subtly encourage clutter detract from the room’s purpose,” Lee says. While a beautiful tray can double as a practical vessel to corral essentials like keys and sunglasses, keep these items to necessities only. “Prioritizing clean surfaces, intentional styling, and thoughtful storage ensures that your entryway remains welcoming, elevated, and beautifully attuned to your family’s year-round flow,” Lee says.