Genius House Hacks · a GopherCentral & PulseTV publication
Entryway & Organizing · November 5, 2026 edition

The Entryway Trick Nobody Tells You About

From Anisa's Genius House Hacks newsletter.

Anisa at her front door, setting a wet umbrella point down into an empty ceramic planter.

Hello Neighbor! Every time it rained this fall, my front hallway turned into a mess of wet umbrellas leaning against the wall and shoes kicked off in every direction.

I finally set an old ceramic planter, one I was not using for anything, right by the door and started dropping wet umbrellas straight into it.

It catches the drips, keeps the floor dry, and looks nicer than a pile by the door. Below is how I set mine up.

Be Well,
Anisa

Put an Empty Planter by Your Door for Wet Umbrellas and Boots

An empty planter, especially one with a drainage hole, makes a tidy spot to stash wet umbrellas, rain boots, or gardening shoes right where you walk in, instead of letting them puddle on the floor.

How to Do It

Pick a planter a little taller than your umbrellas, ideally one with a drainage hole in the bottom. Set it just inside or beside your door, wherever shoes and umbrellas usually end up landing. Drop wet umbrellas in point down, and line up boots or shoes right beside it. Set a small tray or mat underneath if the planter has no drainage, to catch any drips.

More Ways to Use It

A tall planter by the garage door works just as well for yard tools like rakes and trowels. A smaller one on a side table catches mail, keys, and sunglasses in one spot.

Ask the Genius: Won't a Planter Without Drainage Get Moldy?

"Won't a planter without drainage just hold water and get moldy?"

It can if water is left sitting, so empty it out every few days or set a small tray underneath to catch drips instead of letting water pool in the bottom.

Did You Know?

Most of the dirt that ends up on floors comes in from outside on shoes and wet gear, not from inside the house itself. Giving umbrellas and boots one landing spot right by the door is one of the easiest ways to keep it from spreading any further in.

Got a handy tip of your own?

Reply back to Anisa, she loves reading your emails.

Subscribe to Genius House Hacks
This edition is part of the Genius House Hacks archive: 20+ years of tips, rebuilt from the original Handy Hints newsletter. Browse more hacks →