Interior Designer’s Room-by-Room Planning Checklist : Entryway / Landing Zone
Designed for arrival, departure, containment, and immediate nervous-system regulation
This space determines how the entire house feels the moment you walk in.
1. Room Purpose & Design Intent
Primary Function
Entry and exit for the household
Containment of shoes, bags, coats, keys
Transition from outside → inside
Secondary Function
Visual calm upon arrival
Prevention of clutter spreading inward
Predictable “drop zone” for everyone
Design Philosophy
This entryway is designed to:
Catch mess immediately
Reduce decision fatigue
Prevent piles from forming
Feel welcoming, not chaotic
Reset in under 5 minutes
This is a systems room, not a decorative foyer.
2. ZONING & FLOW (FOUNDATIONAL)
☐ Door & Threshold Zone
☐ Shoe Zone
☐ Coat & Outerwear Zone
☐ Bag / Backpack Zone
☐ Keys & Daily Essentials Zone
☐ Sitting / Support Zone
☐ Visual Reset Zone
Flow Rule:
Everything dropped here must either:
live here permanently, or
be passed through intentionally
Nothing migrates deeper into the house by accident.
3. DOOR & THRESHOLD ZONE
Shopping List
Durable indoor entry mat (washable)
Outdoor mat (weather-rated)
Door sweep
Threshold guard
Weather stripping
Boot tray (waterproof)
Umbrella stand or drip tray
This zone stops dirt immediately.
4. SHOE ZONE (CRITICAL)
Storage Options (Choose Combination)
Closed shoe cabinet (preferred)
Open shoe rack (limited capacity)
Shoe cubbies (assigned per person)
Boot tray for wet shoes
Seasonal shoe bin (stored)
Accessories
Shoe horn
Shoe deodorizer
Labels or name tags (for kids)
Rule:
If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t live here.
5. COAT & OUTERWEAR ZONE
Shopping List
Wall-mounted coat hooks (staggered heights)
Closed coat closet OR cabinet
Hangers (uniform, sturdy)
Seasonal rotation bin (off-season coats)
Scarf & hat hooks
Glove basket
Hooks are faster than hangers for daily use.
6. BAG / BACKPACK ZONE
Shopping List
Backpack hooks or cubbies
Tote bag hooks
Small shelf above hooks
Basket for sports gear or accessories
Organization
One hook per person
No shared hooks
Bags must be able to hang without touching floor
7. KEYS & DAILY ESSENTIALS ZONE
Shopping List
Wall-mounted key rack
Small shelf or console table
Catch-all trays (2–3)
Mail sorter or inbox tray
Charging station (optional, hidden cords)
Nothing here should feel “lost.”
8. SITTING / SUPPORT ZONE
Shopping List
Entry bench (with storage preferred)
Cushion (washable)
Shoe storage bench OR pull-out drawer bench
Step stool (if needed for kids)
This zone supports:
putting on shoes
taking off bags
slowing down arrivals
9. STORAGE & CONTAINMENT (EXTENSIVE)
Closed Storage (Priority)
Cabinets with doors
Drawers under bench
Tall storage unit (if space allows)
Labeled Storage Bins
SHOES
BAGS
OUTDOOR GEAR
SEASONAL
SPORTS
Labeling prevents creep.
10. LIGHTING (ARRIVAL MATTERS)
Layered Lighting
Overhead light (dimmable)
Wall sconce or table lamp
Fairy lights or pebble lights:
Shelf edge
Mirror back glow
Basket illumination
Controls
Warm bulbs only (2700–3000K)
Motion sensor option (optional)
Night-safe lighting for late arrivals
The first light you see sets your nervous system tone.
11. MIRROR & VISUAL RESET ZONE
Shopping List
Full-length mirror
Wall-mounted mirror OR mirrored cabinet
Small grooming tray (lip balm, hair ties)
This is the “before you leave / when you arrive” check-in point.
12. SOUND, SENSORY & COMFORT
Shopping List
Soft runner or rug + rug pad
Curtains or fabric panels (if echoey)
Felt pads on furniture
Door draft blocker
This space should not feel loud or sharp.
13. JOY & PERSONALITY (CONTROLLED)
Shopping List
One framed art piece or quote
Plant (real or faux)
Decorative bowl or object
Seasonal accent (swapable)
Joy here should feel grounding, not busy.
14. POWER, HARDWARE & FINISHING
Shopping List
Surge protector (hidden)
Cord concealment clips
Light plate covers
Plug-in plate covers
Wall anchors
Furniture floor protectors
Touch-up paint (color noted)
15. CLEANING & LONG-TERM CARE
Stored in Entryway
Small broom or hand vacuum
Cleaning cloth
Shoe tray liners
Trash or recycling bin (small)
Extra hooks (stored)
Cleaner Notes (If Applicable)
Vacuum or sweep
Shake mats
Wipe bench & console
Do not reorganize bins
FINAL DESIGNER APPROVAL CHECKLIST
☐ Shoes don’t migrate
☐ Bags have a home
☐ Keys are never lost
☐ Entry resets in under 5 minutes
☐ Lighting feels welcoming
☐ Visual clutter is contained
☐ Space feels calm on arrival
☐ Leaving the house feels easier
What Comes Next
If you’re at the point where you no longer want to think about your home — and you’re ready for it to quietly support your life instead — you can learn more about working together here:
