A fact of life when it rains or snows, boots are a big logistical problem. Boots are wet, messy, and tend to pile up in chaotic mounds bound to trip you up on your way in and out of the house. Here's the two-part solution: Create a boot-drying space right next to the front door as an immediate landing spot, and institute a storage system in the closet to keep boots out of sight when they're not in use.

To dry boots, set a rectangular indoor/outdoor carpet in front of the door and stretching out to the side. You can give your boots or shoes a second swipe on the carpet as you walk in. Then take them off and set them on the out-of-the-way end for easy access in and out of the door. An alternative is a ridged plastic tray with a ledge to catch water. Move dry boots to the floor inside the hall closet.