Get a Clutter-Free Foyer

Choose a hue that says welcome: This buttery yellow on the vestibule walls creates a warm and inviting mood as you transition between outdoors and in.

Avoid fumbling for a light switch in the dark: Marrero recommends plugging an entryway lamp into a timer set to click on at dusk — so you and your family will be greeted by a cozily lit home.

Limit the size of your in-bin, so you'll have to sort through the stack of mail sooner, says Marrero. A basket with a one-week capacity prevents papers from piling up.

Make any homecoming or visit a special occasion with some natural touches: a potted plant, a door basket of blooms, or a wreath.

A durable, dirt-trapping rug, like this flat-weave kilim, can halt messiness in its tracks. Look for prints that disguise stains, and a low pile that won't bunch up beneath the door. Carpet tape or a nonskid pad will ensure it lies flat.

Marrero is a big fan of repurposing little-used furniture, such as a dresser that may be collecting dust in a back bedroom. Just relocate it to the front hall, and it's a solution as elegantly efficient as it is economical.

In the foyer, catchall baskets restore order. Marrero favors the lid-free variety — "you can toss stuff in one-handed," she says — and designates a duo as outgoing and incoming. Pottery Barn's rattan pair ($24, $49) are generously sized to hold dog-walking gear, scarves, library books to be returned, etc.

Protect floors from mud and moisture damage by parking soggy shoes and damp umbrellas in Ballard Designs' rust-resistant, embossed steel tray ($49).

Assign keys to a single spot, instructs Marrero, and you'll be able to dash out the door. This bronze-plated bonbon bowl ($38) from Replacements, Ltd. is compact, classic, and chic enough to stay on daily display.

Skip fussy window treatments in favor of simple, understated coverings that let in loads of sunlight.

Paint the door a dramatic hue — like this vivid chartreuse — as a prelude to the style inside. Bonus: First-time visitors will have zero trouble identifying which house is yours.

Discourage clutter with a pretty, pillow-topped bench — it's the perfect place to sit and remove muddy boots or rip open mail.

This spiral-leg console ($349) from Broyhill is sized for narrow passageways, but has roomy drawers — perfect for stashing purse refills like mints, tissues, or gum, says Marrero.