Back to School Blues?
Posted by Denise on Aug 22, 2017
Have the back to school blues? Maybe it's a good time to think about a freshen up (clean up!) in your entry or mudroom to get ready for Autumn beach fun and back packs?
(Source: Coastal Living)
Here are a few tips (and a few room images!) that might inspire a new look at your beach home to greet Autumn with minimal cost and just a little re-organizing to create a welcoming space.
(Check out the Hooks! Anchor Hooks on our site)
Step One - Start with a clean slate!
De-Cluttering your space will help to even see where your new design needs to start. It's also just a great way to access your gear for next year - does it need repairing, donating, or maybe even tossed in the recycling bin?
Clearing a space also helps transition from one season to another and makes it a little easier to say good-bye to summer.(booooooo-hoooooo)
- Put away all of the summer gear; oars, life jackets, bathing suits,beach bags, beach towels, etc and store safely for next year. Maybe just hide in the garage out of sight, cause I am sure that you will still be spending time still at the beach looking for shells or having a few more boating adventures. (or as in the image above - store your surfboards on the ceiling!)
- Shoe Patrol - Unless you live in a tropical climate (or Southern California!) then time to stash the pile of flip flops! And impose a strict limit on how may shoes per person can be left at the front door or in your mudroom. I am the worst offender of this rule!
- For each family member; allow only one dedicated space for back packs, purses, school bags or briefcases. Use heavy-duty wall hooks, pretty storage baskets or cubbies. If no space, then backpacks, etc. go in the bedrooms.
- Toss in the washing machine and dryer: Before putting away summer pillows, cushion covers or beach towels, or canvas beach bags, make sure to give them a quick run in your washing machine and dryer.
- Roll up the summer style rugs.Time to transition away from seagrass, jute and lighter striped area rugs. Vacuum and clean-up any spots or spills before rolling up and storing until next spring. Make sure to store in a dry (non-damp!) space to preserve.
Now where to start once you have de-cluttered your space?
Just for inspiration - Here are a few of our Nautical-themed home decor ingredients for creating an easy beach home entry or mudroom for living at the coast during fall and winter!
Many of which are super practical for kids, dogs and beach house guests.
(P.S. don't you just love this entry storage?? Featured in Midwest Living)
1. An Entry Area Rug (indoor-outdoor is best for wet and sandy shoes!)
Just a few examples...
2. Nautical Wall Hooks Love this new "paddle" with 4 hooks ready for back packs and more!
3. A Bench - or some time of seating to make it easy to take off your shoes! A storage bench is incredibly handy if you don't have built in shelving.
4. Baskets for Storage- personally, we love clam baskets! If you can find vintage ones, they are super cool for coastal homes. And pretty darn resilient for kids and pets. If you can't find vintage clam baskets, we have some cool options on our site too!
Or add color with durable indoor-outdoor baskets!
5. Built in Shelf or Entry Table - or a hanging wall shelf if you don't have a ton of space! Somewhere to keep the clutter organized and in one spot, so that keys, back backs, glasses, etc. don't end up spread all over your house.
6. Add a Mirror - for a final check before you run out the door! We are a little partial to round ones... The Jeremiah is one of our best sellers!
7. Custom Art to Welcome Friends and Family - Try one of our Custom Latitude-Longitude Signs!
Hope we've inspired you with some new ideas to freshen up your space and get ready for fall and winter at the beach!