Skip to main content

Smart storage tips for your home’s small entryway

entryway with storage
New Africa/Shutterstock

The entryway is a passage into your home — literally and figuratively. It is the first space you see when you arrive and the last one you see when you leave. For such a small space, it can leave a lasting impression. What does yours say about you? Is it a welcoming space with a place for everything? If the answer is no, you are not alone. Too often the entryway is a mess of shoes, coats, bags, and mail — a catchall space. But what if it doesn’t have to be that way? What if you could tame the beast and create a space that was just as inspiring as the rest of your abode? The solution is to implement entryway-organization ideas that will transform it into a well-thought-out space that both functions well and looks great.

The first step to any organization project is going through everything in the space and deciding what to keep and what to toss. Everyday items can stay, but perhaps a dressy coat you only wear on special occasions can be stored in a nearby closet. The same goes for shoes, which tend to multiply in the entryway. Make sure to sort through mail and catalogs, and throw away anything that you don’t need. Once you have streamlined what you have, group like items together. This will help determine how many things you need to find a place for when executing your entryway storage ideas, and ultimately, when purchasing storage essentials.

Get hooked

Functionally, an entryway needs to accommodate coats, jackets, handbags, backpacks, and so on. Installing several hooks will help keep items up off the floor — higher hooks for coats, lower ones for backpacks and bags. Small hooks also work well for keys. There are many options in sizes and finishes, so make sure to think about what will work best in your space.

Flexible storehouse

Small spaces love cubbies. They work well because they can be customized to accommodate many dimensions and are great for shoes, hats, gloves, bags, and so on. Modular cubbies can be stacked upward or outward. Since they come in a variety of colors and finishes, they not only offer storage but also work with many design styles. Add labels or stencil on names to give each family member their own.

If you prefer shoes to be out of sight and there is the real estate for it, consider a shoe cabinet. These are built to look like decorative furniture pieces, but instead of the “drawers” pulling open, they tilt out offering storage for multiple pairs of shoes.

entryway with shoe cubbies
New Africa/Shutterstock

Manage the mail

Perhaps one of the most challenging things to keep on top of in any entryway is the never-ending flow of mail. The daily onslaught of catalogs, coupon booklets, and bills seem to come faster than you can sort through them. The key is to immediately toss what you don’t need and install an attractive option to hold what you do. This will take some discipline at first, but staying on top of it will pay off in the end. Wall-mounted magazine holders and baskets work well.

Have a seat

Seating adds to any entryway. Having a place to put boots on and off is always a welcome addition. Benches are a popular choice. This is also an opportunity to add a stylish feature to the space. A cushion or small throw pillow will give it some pizzazz and make it feel like the entryway is not an afterthought but a true extension of the rest of your abode. Additionally, creative entryway bench solutions may answer your clutter issues, as many benches come with a storage built underneath.

Look up

If floor space is tight, think about adding higher shelves above. Baskets can be placed on them, each holding similar or each family member’s items. This will keep everything in one place and make use of a part of the room that is otherwise unused.

Creature comforts

Adding in a few functional finishing touches will give bring style to the entryway. The entryway is the ideal place to add a mirror. Not only will this allow you to get a last look before leaving, it will also reflect light and make a tight space feel larger. And, a rug will protect floors and is a great opportunity to introduce visitors to your unique design flair. There are many indoor/outdoor options that are made to stand up to the wear and tear of the location.

Editors' Recommendations

How to keep a combo bathroom/laundry room from looking like a cluttered mess
Organization is key for a combined bathroom/laundry room
Gray laundry room interior with a sink and washing machine

If you're short on space, combining your bathroom and laundry is an easy way to squeeze the most out of one room. While it's nice to have a dedicated laundry room, there are functional and seamless ways to have them share real estate (and make it really easy to wash and put away those bath towels). Plus, for many of us, finding more space in our home for a home office or gym is a much-needed win.

You could hire a designer to map out exactly what options you have available in a new build, but if you're working with an already-established bathroom and need to add the laundry in, here are a few ideas to get your imagination going.

Read more
The 6 rules you need to know to keep a cozy cabin bedroom from looking kitschy
How to avoid tackiness in your cozy cabin bedroom design
Rustic cabin bedroom loft

Cabins radiate warmth and coziness while offering some exciting interior design possibilities. When decorating a cabin bedroom, your first instinct may be to go all out to fit the rustic, camping-esque theme. But designer beware: This can start to look tacky if you’re not careful.

There are some DIY do’s and don’ts when it comes to striking a stylish balance in a cabin bedroom. From the right colors and furniture to statement pieces, here are six rules for keeping your cozy cabin bedroom from looking kitschy.

Read more
Steal these phenomenal hotel room design ideas to give your bedroom a luxe feel
These hotel room ideas will make your bedroom feel opulent and inviting
Luxury bedroom with gray and gold color palette

Have you ever sat in a luxurious hotel room, ogling the fine linens and stunning composure of the space? From the perfectly tucked bedspreads to the finer details and sultry color palettes, hotel bedrooms radiate a sense of glamor that many of us crave to have in our own spaces. Have you ever thought of doing something similar in your home to achieve the luxury bedroom of your dreams? If so, then we have some good news for you!

Today, we’re diving into some of the most elegant master bedroom ideas to help you transform your home. We’re focusing on hotel room ideas that bring a luxe vibe to your home, allowing you to relax and rejuvenate in a space that feels opulent and delightful.

Read more