Do You Need a Landing Strip In Your Bedroom?

If you’ve ever torn off your bra at the end of the day, whipping it across the bedroom like an old-timey showgirl…

If you’ve ever made yourself late trying on 10 outfits (and ended up wearing the one your originally planned)…

If you own mass quantities of cosmetics or jewelry but only use a handful of the same items consistently…

If you’re anxious over the possibility of someone breaking into your front door just to steal your purse and keys to your boring yet dependable car…

… Then a bedroom landing strip is a godsend.

Yes, I used “strip” and “bedroom” in the same sentence, but trust me. You’ll want this. And I promise, there will be no poles or bad lighting involved.

A landing strip is an area you designate in the entrance of your home. It’s where you transition from the outdoors to the indoors. It’s where you hang up your coat and hat, take off your shoes, and leave personal items like your keys and purse.

The landing strip is also where you prepare to re-enter the rest of the world, putting on those things you left the night before. You may have also added items you’ll need for the new day, like your lunch, briefcase, or your superhero cape.

Makes sense, right? Now take that concept and apply it to your bedroom. Our bedrooms are typically a room of neglect. When we’re decorating our homes, the bedroom’s usually last on the list. I guess we figure since most of our time in this space is with closed eyes, the decor doesn’t matter as much.

But decorating a room isn’t just about making it visually pleasing. Decorating is also about practicality and function. This is where a landing strip helps. My landing strip is very simple, but I’ve found it’s helped me immensely. I prefer an organized, streamlined bedroom, not minimalist but definitely not maximalist.

Just like you’d do for a foyer landing strip, I hung hooks on the wall.  Instead of hanging my coat here, I use the hooks to plan what I’m wearing (like that abandoned bra), if I  have to air-dry a piece of clothing, or for my sleeping clothes.

I also bring my keys and purse upstairs to my bedroom. Living in a two-story home, this gives me peace of mind knowing someone can’t break in and have instant access to my money and car. Is it a little neurotic? Perhaps. But keeping your purse and keys in your bedroom would also be handy if you have kids or roommates. “Keep the honest people honest.”

Adding a chair also ups the surface area ante. However, I’m careful not to use it as a dumping ground for the fresh load of laundry I’m too lazy to put away. In my opinion, clutter is one of the original sins. And you don’t want to take your chances with the afterlife, do you?

Another key component of the landing strip is a surface area. You can easily accomplish in a bedroom because you can use a vanity or dresser. I prefer to keep my surface area minimal: only items I regularly are out on my dresser: my favorite jewelry and my everyday toiletries. (The rest are stored in my closet.)

With so much function in the landing strip, we can’t forget about making it look great. Keeping with the minimal theme, I added a few decorative items to the this area. On the other end of the dresser sits a houseplant, a framed pic of me and the old man, plus a candle for, ahem, mood lighting.

I also hung a few of my handmade necklaces on the mirror. If you have jewelry that matches the spirit of your room, show it off!

You may have also noticed that I painted the rest of my bedroom walls. I grew tired of the accent wall and decided to use up the leftover paint. I never thought I’d like so much pink, but it’s got warm undertones that are both happy and relaxing at the same time. Stay tuned for a full makeover report!

Do you have a landing strip in your home’s entrance or foyer? Have you created one in another room as well? What are your entry must-haves?

Thanks for visiting! Let’s stay connected!

 

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