The kids will dump their backpacks on the sofa, your spouse will drop his or her coat and bag there, and the dog will park himself on top of the mountain. You've got to remind the kids and the spouse that each time they arrive home, they're to bypass the sofa and head to the hall closet or their bedroom closets. You could purchase a coat tree if you want your belongings on display at all times. Your chances of getting the family to cooperate with your requests are probably greater with a coat tree, which is closer to the door than the sofa, anyway. The point is that you've got to create an easy drop-off spot for your clutter.
Closets require more discipline and a lot of reminders to the kids.
If you can throw it away before you even enter your home, that's best. If not, head immediately to the garbage can upon your arrival at home. Get rid of it. If you're being an environmentally conscious homeowner, and you're making an effort to save your daily newspapers, you may have access to plastic bins provided by your city to encourage you to recycle. My family successfully pulled this off.