Greenwich, CTTransitional Entry, New York

29. A bevy of wicker basket-lined cubbies and a built-in doghouse make for a practical mudroom in this Greenwich, Connecticut, home.Browse wicker storage baskets

In the MudroomOrganizational built-ins in the mudroom are a hot item on homeowner must-have lists these days, and it’s fairly simple to add a dog crate into the scheme. Style note: This crate fits into a wall of built-in shelves, but small to medium-sized dogs could be crated beneath a built-in bench. Your dog’s crate should be big enough for him or her to stand up and turn around in.

7. The entry can be functional but doesn’t need to skimp on style, as this popular mudroom in Greenwich, Connecticut, shows. Sophisticated Ashton Grey limestone with a leather finish contrasts crisp white built-ins.The shelves perfectly fit two wicker storage baskets each, and the wall unit even includes a built-in dog crate.

3. Pretending You’ll Have More Time Later to Put Stuff AwayThe thought process: I’ll just leave this here for now.The right call: Does the item in question have a place where it clearly belongs? If so, take the extra few seconds to put it there. Dumping things in the wrong place will only make more work for you later, when you eventually gather the energy to tidy things up.The strategy: Try the 10-second trick: Unless you live in a truly enormous home, there’s a good chance you can put just about anything in its place in 10 seconds. Practice telling yourself it will take only 10 seconds to put the item away, and then count as you complete the task. Ten seconds is nothing! And if you consistently dump the item in question in the same spot, consider making a place for it there with a hook, shelf or basket.10 Strategies for Keeping Surfaces Clutter-Free

Area for dog kennel? Somewhere is mud room