The Solution

In Alaska most people have what is referred to as an "Arctic Entry". This is a sealed room that you enter prior to entering the main area of the house. It keeps cold out of the house as well as boots, jackets, hats, mittens, backpacks, mud, dirt, snow...you get the idea. Well in our house we don't have an arctic entry. We have a front porch area which doubles as a laundry room and until recently our office as well. Needless to say this is a very difficult area to maintain order in. Recently Ryan and I discovered an old book rack and repurposed it as a boot rack. We also moved our office (read: desk with a computer on it) into the family room area which also helps to keep the clutter down. I don't think we'll ever have it perfectly figured out but this is a great start!!