As the main entrance and exit to your home, the entryway is a high traffic area, particularly if you have children and pets – it’s where family congregate, bags are unloaded and shoes are taken on and off, so its important to keep the space clear and clutter-free. However, it’s also the room that guests first enter, so while being functional, entryways should also be welcoming, stylish and set the right mood for the rest of your home. Factoring in plenty of storage for coats, bags and boots is an essential entryway idea if you don’t have a boot room as it will help keep the hallway clear making the space feel calm, welcoming. Having a clutter-free space will also help set you in a positive frame of mind as you exit the house so that you are ready to tackle the day ahead. As connecting spaces in which we spend little time, it makes sense for entryways to work hard for us by doubling up as storage areas if space allows as this will save having to take up valuable floor space in sociable areas such as living spaces and kitchens.
Entryway storage ideas
There are a wealth of entryway storage ideas to choose from. For a seamless look which will make the most your space then bespoke, built-in cabinets and joinery is often the best solution. Designed and fitted around your home’s internal architecture, these systems can be built into alcoves and awkward spaces to maximise every inch of space. ‘The big advantage of bespoke furniture is of course that it can fill the awkward connecting spaces – and cope with any idiosyncrasies. It is amazing how much storage you gain by going high up the wall, and if you make it no deeper than it needs to be your room will still feel spacious, without having to take over spare rooms,’ explains Simon Tcherniak, senior designer at furniture specialists Neville Johnson (opens in new tab). A good joinery company can design a system around your storage needs which can be fitted with all sorts of personalised internal organization devices to suit the types of items you need to store, from drawers and rails to pull out shoe racks. Bespoke storage solutions can be fitted with doors to give a clean, uncluttered look, or, can fitted as open shelving for easy access – this is great for books or for displaying decorative items, but it can mean a lot of dusting. Alternatively, if space is at a premium, there are plenty of flexible freestanding pieces available such as consoles, chests, baskets plus pegs and shelves, all of which make good small entryway ideas and entryway ideas for apartments. If you are searching for simple storage solutions for your entryway, then don’t forget about the versatility of storage baskets. Available in a range of styles and sizes, they are great for holding anything from shoes to scarves and hats, bags, plus more. Choose a lidded option to keep your clutter truly hidden.
1. Install a bank of tall cabinets
Fitting a bank of built-in units with doors will keep linking spaces and entranceways seamless; finishing them in a soft grey as has been done here will keep the space feeling bright and airy whilst adding a hint of color. ‘If built-in joinery can be incorporated into the design, then consider using the space under the staircase or creating a run of cabinets along one wall. Not only will this provide excellent storage ideas for things like coats, shoes and bags, but it’ll keep everything organized and out of the sight,’ says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director, Kelling Designs (opens in new tab). To liven up the space consider adding geometric floor tiles – as well as bringing personality to the space these are also a practical entryway mudroom idea as they are hardwearing and easy to clean.
2. Fit cupboards floor to ceiling
Make the most of tall entryways by factoring in floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. Opting for bespoke timber joinery will mean cabinetry can be fitted around the architecture of your space, including around doorways and in rooms with particularly high ceilings. When fitted with doors they can conceal all manner of storage solutions and they can also be fitted with sliding ladders to access the top areas. Liven up these practical spaces by painting the cabinetry in a vibrant color – be sure to use a durable, wipeable finish suitable for use on wood as these are high traffic areas susceptible to knocks and scrapes.
3. Match cabinet doors to wall panelling
For a seamless look, consider adding built in cabinetry flush with paneling ideas for walls – and with the same door design. This is a brilliant way to keep entryways looking larger and more unified. Tongue-and-groove paneling is guaranteed to bring a vintage country feel – add to the look by finishing them in a soft sage shade. ‘We liaise with our clients to design storage that works well for them, both functionally and aesthetically. For instance, a hidden door under the stairs might be designed in tongue and groove to blend well into the wall’ says as Louise Wicksteed, design director for Sims Hilditch (opens in new tab) interior design
4. Create a bookcase in an alcove
Bespoke joinery is the best way to make the most of awkward spaces which makes it a particularly good storage idea for period homes which have been altered over the years. If you have lots of books to store, consider a fitted bookcase in your hallway ideas plan – or as a landing storage idea to help free up space in living areas. ‘A good fitted furniture supplier will be able to take full advantage of connecting spaces by maximising on and cleverly utilising alcoves and sloping roofs,’ says Jamie Godfrey, senior designer at Neville Johnson. ‘Often, a simple piece of furniture such as a book shelf or display wall can fit perfectly into these spaces. If a customer has alcoves and wide hallways, these are often a ‘by product’ of a renovation and should be viewed as storage opportunities rather than awkward spaces that cannot be used. With good quality fitted storage, a large landing area can essentially be transformed into an extra room, such as a home office with hidden desk space and built in book shelves and filing. A statement library wall can also be incorporated into this space.’
5. Add rustic charm with woven baskets
For a quick and easy storage solution, wicker storage baskets are a perfect fit for a country home bringing a relaxed feel and rustic charm to a space. ‘For a country home, functional hallway storage ideas are key as we spend much of our time outdoors in all weathers and need a place to store our essentials for all seasons. In this project, I opted for a relaxed storage look, introducing entry table decor ideas with a shelf and placing large baskets within it for the families’ essentials. The baskets add a more casual feel to the space, and the natural material connects to the nature outside,’ says Louise Bradley of Louise Bradley Interiors (opens in new tab).
6. Utilise the space under the stairs
Enclosing the space under the stairs to create a cupboard is simple landing storage idea which can make a particularly useful area for housing cleaning essentials. An industrial-style trolley on casters is handy device for keeping cleaning solutions and tools in one place, plus make it easy to move them from room to room. To get the most out of every inch of space, don’t forget the back of the door can be used to hang mops and brooms, too. For a playful finishing touch, consider painting the inside of the cupboard a vibrant shade – it will bring a smile to your face once the tiresome chore of cleaning is at hand.
7. Create multi-functional spaces
By fitting bespoke cabinetry the redundant space under the stairs can be used to create hidden, multifunctional spaces – they can be turned into a handy cupboard space for boots and coats or could even double as a downstairs cloakroom. Here, an alcove has been fitted with a ledge to create a handy perch for putting on shoes.
8. Choose a storage bench
If space is at a premium choose a multifunctional piece of freestanding furniture over fitted solutions, these can be easily moved and can be taken with you if you move house, too. When we return home after a long country walk the first thing we need to do is kick off those muddy boots – a handy storage chest topped with a cushion provides a place to store footwear, scarves and hats, but also provides a handy perch for putting on or taking off shoes.
9. Add a console table
A console table is a classic hallway idea which offers surface space for items such as table lamps, letter racks and memo pads, but can also be a lovely space to style a display to welcome guests. ‘Freestanding pieces such as a console table will not only allow you to display personal touches and prized possessions, but will also be practical to drop smaller items such as keys and mail as you go in and out of the house. It will also give you a surface to add some decor so people coming into your home get a sense of your personal style and what to expect,’ says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director at Kelling Designs. Opting for a design with open shelves beneath is a great way to create extra storage in hallway, all while keeping the space feeling airy and spacious.
10. Add a floating shelf unit
Where space is at a premium, consider a storage solution that won’t take up valuable floor space such as a floating shelf which will help keep an entryway feeling airy and spacious. This sleek, contemporary design would make a stylish entryway idea for apartment in the city.
How do I add storage to my entryway?
There are many ways to introduce storage into a hallway. If space allows, bespoke fitted cabinetry designed around the architecture of your space is a good way to maximise every inch of space, plus can be fitted with a range of practical features. ‘Installing bespoke joinery is a great way to incorporate storage into a hallway without losing the depth of space available. A few such solutions might include hidden cupboards, storage benches and adjustable shoe racks. The result is ample storage which helps to avoid a cluttered home environment,’ says as Louise Wicksteed, design director for Sims Hilditch interior design. Alternatively, for small entryway ideas, freestanding pieces of furniture which can easily moved may be preferable. Making use of the wall area for storage is key when floor space is limited so consider adding shelves or wall hooks as a quick and easy solution. Alternatively, a wall storage cabinet will prove itself to be a handy addition to an entryway, for holding keys, mail, the dog’s lead plus much more. And it takes up no floor space.
How do I organize my entryway storage?
Opting for fitted cabinets designed around your personal needs and possessions is the best way to keep entryway storage organized. Many of the experts agree that the easiest way to keep spaces organized is to make sure that all your possessions have a place, making it simple and easy to return things to where they belong. Bespoke storage solutions can be fitted with with an array of personalised internal devices including bull out shoe racks, coat rails, large shelf areas for bags and drawers with compartments for smaller items.
