See how mom of three Shelby Dicharo creates an organized entryway for going back to school with Yamazaki Home. Shop the Back to School Sale from 7/22–8/30, 15% off select items.
Back-to-school season hits differently when you're managing three boys' worth of backpacks, shoes, and gear, especially without a proper entryway to catch it all. We caught up with Shelby Dicharo (@homeinbloom_) to talk about how she built an entryway drop zone from scratch with Yamazaki Home, and how a few simple items help turn chaotic mornings into manageable ones.
Read on for Shelby's back-to-school advice and shop the pieces that help make it happen. Remember! Yamazaki Home's Back to School Sale runs 7/22 through 8/30: 15% off the Back-to-School Collection!
Building an Entryway From Scratch
Shelby's house doesn't have a true entryway, which means back-to-school season used to involve lots of backpacks tossed on the floor and shoes scattered everywhere. "I had purchased some alternative solutions for our entry closet, but nothing really stuck," she says. After a full year of dealing with the mess, she knew something had to change.
Her solution was to build a dedicated drop zone using Yamazaki Home's stackable shoe racks, a backpack stand with hooks for each boy's hat, jacket, and school bag, and the magnetic key rack. "Even without a true entryway, it gave us an organized space where everything has a home," she says, "and our mornings already feel so much smoother."
No More Nagging After School
Once the system was in place, the after-school routine got a lot simpler. "The boys come in, hang up their backpacks, take off their shoes, and everything has a place before they run off to do homework or play," Shelby explains.
The real win is what it saves her from having to do. "Not having to remind everyone where to put their stuff, or hunt for missing shoes the next morning, takes a lot of the stress out of our afternoons."
The Two MVPs of the Drop Zone
Asked which pieces matter most for managing three kids' backpacks and shoes, Shelby doesn't hesitate: the shoe rack and the backpack stand.
"Because we don't have a mudroom or much entryway storage, they've helped us create one without taking up much space," she says. Before, there was no real system in place. "Backpacks ended up on the floor and shoes were everywhere. Now everything has a designated spot, which makes our home feel a little more organized and our mornings a lot less hectic."
Consistency Beats Chaos
With three boys in the house, Shelby says chaos can build fast so she's always looking for ways to make life a little easier. "Having simple systems in place, like a designated spot for backpacks and shoes, means there's less running around looking for things last minute as we're trying to get out the door."
It's a small shift with an out-sized payoff. "Those small organizational changes really add up and help keep our mornings on track so everyone gets to where they need to be on time."
Friday Treats and Easy Snacks
Organized systems aside, Shelby keeps the after-school routine low-key when it comes to food. "The boys usually grab things like fruit, yogurt, cheese sticks, crackers, or popcorn ... whatever is quick and keeps everyone happy until dinner," she says.
The one exception: Fridays. "We have frozen hot chocolates or frozen lemonades every Friday to have something to look forward to at the end of the week. That's definitely their favorite after-school treat." Her philosophy sums up the whole approach to back-to-school season, snacks included: "After a full school day, everyone's hungry, and easy always wins."
The One Thing She'd Recommend First
If she had to recommend just one product this season, Shelby lands on the Adjustable Shoe Rack. "We only have this little entry closet, so finding something that worked in a small space was really important," she says. "I love that it's adjustable and doesn't take up much room, but it still gives us a designated spot for everyone's shoes." The impact has gone well beyond the closet floor. "That one change has helped cut down on so much of the clutter and made our mornings feel a lot less chaotic."
Shelby's Entryway Must-Haves
Shelby's system proves you don't need a mudroom to get organized, just the right pieces for the space you actually have. Here's what's on her list:
- Adjustable Shoe Rack
Shelby's top pick. Expands to fit small entry closets and stacks to give every kid's shoes a designated spot without eating up floor space. - Backpack Stand with Cubby
Keeps backpacks upright and off the floor, with a cubby underneath for gear that always seems to go missing. - Wall Mounted Coat Rack
Gives every hat and jacket its own peg so nothing ends up on the floor between the door and the closet. - Magnetic Key Rack
Mounts to a wall or metal door to give keys (and anything else you don't want to forget) a permanent, easy-to-find spot.
Ready for Whatever the School Year Brings
You don't need a mudroom to beat back-to-school chaos, just a few designated spots for the things that tend to end up on the floor. As Shelby's family proves, small systems can make a big difference in how smoothly your mornings and afternoons run.
Shop the Back-to-School Sale now through 8/30 and save 15% on select Yamazaki Home items.
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