Entry closet organization ideas
10 tips for hallway closets |
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(Image credit: Future)
Entryway closet ideas are a brilliant way to keep your home organized, but creating an entryway that is both practical and beautiful can be a difficult balance.
An essential part of the home, an entryway closet is a space that needs to tick all of the boxes: it should be practical, work hard, be easy to organize – and good looking.
Factoring in plenty of closet 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.
Entryway closet ideas – 10 tips for a clutter-free entrance
From interior details to inventive suggestions for entryway storage ideas, these design-led entryway closet ideas will inspire your scheme.
1. Make use of every inch
(Image credit: The Cotswold Company )
'There is a plethora of off-the-peg pieces on the market which can help keep hallway storage at bay and add a design feature to an entryway closet,' says Paul Deckland, The Cotswold Company .
'We recommend choosing pieces that are versatile and work hard for you, for busy family homes, an entryway closet is perfect for housing coats, shoes and keys conveniently by the front door.'
2. Invest in built-in closets for awkward spaces
(Image credit: Neptune)
'In old houses, you can be left dealing with awkward nooks and crannies that however hard you try, don't fit conventional cabinets and storage units,' says Melanie Griffiths, editor, Period Living. 'This is where it's best to invest in a joiner who can make you a bespoke entryway closet, the benefits far outweigh the costs as you really get to have what suits you and your family best.'
3. Opt for a mix of storage options
(Image credit: The Cotswold Company)
'For a family home, a hallway closest, shoe cupboard and modern entryway bench ideas are perfect to house coats and shoes for all the family,' advises Paul Deckland, The Cotswold Company .
'Using pieces with seating space, is also practical when there are several people leaving the house at once.'
4. Go for a truly bespoke entryway closet
(Image credit: Kitchen Makers)
'The entryway is often an under-appreciated area that offers great potential, both for style and shoe storage ideas,' says Ben Burbidge, Managing Director at Kitchen Makers . 'If space is limited, take a creative approach with built in cupboards and drawers. Try to use every available inch and wherever possible opt for dual purpose; such as a seating area with a shoe storage area underneath.
An entryway is also the perfect space in which to experiment with color, or to add accents that complement the rest of the house,'
5. Make the most of existing features
(Image credit: VSP Interiors )
'Some old houses will come with entry closets that were built-in, potentially for different uses to what one may need today, but nonetheless, really useful spaces that can be converted with hanging and drawer storage for all of your entryway storage needs,' says Andrea Childs, editor, Country Homes & Interiors.
6. Go high with your cabinetry
(Image credit: Roundhouse)
'The entryway performs as a gateway to the main house and kitchen,' says Ben Hawkswell, senior designer at Roundhouse . 'Therefore, we needed it to be stylish and hard wearing. Our Rough Sawn Oak textured veneer creates a natural feel, while also being durable, so the owners can be confident that it will stand the test of time in this high traffic space.'
'We took advantage of the high ceilings and built the cabinetry over and around the doorway and created a neat little bench in front of the concealed shoe storage dresser.'
7. Paint your entryway closet in a bold color
(Image credit: Garden Trading)
Liven up entryway ideas for apartments by painting the closet cabinets 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.
'Create an all encompassing feel by painting your entryway closet and surrounding walls in a deep navy,' says Lucy Searle, editor-in-chief, Homes & Gardens.
'Add in some invaluable shoe storage, a peg rail to keep all your outdoor essentials in order.'
8. Create a two-tone scheme
(Image credit: Little Greene)
A two-tone scheme is a simple way to breathe new life into any existing hallway paint ideas. This design feature means you can incorporate a splash of bold color with a calmer one, as well as making it easier for you to choose between your favourite colors.
'Rich dark greens have a receding quality that gives the illusion of walls being further away, doing away with the myth that smaller spaces should be painted in lighter colors to make them seem bigger,' says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene .
9. Use symmetry with your entryway closets
(Image credit: Hush Kitchens)
Symmetry in interior design creates balance and a feeling of calm – and while it is wonderfully elegant in large rooms, it can also create a feeling of enhanced space in smaller rooms, and those that are very busy.
'In this Cotswold farmhouse, each side of the entrance hall is a mirror image of each other creating symmetry,' says Chris Spink, founder of Hush Kitchens . 'Bespoke floor-to-ceiling built-in cabinets stand either side of the door providing a variety of storage options (both closed and open shelving), while useful oak topped benches featuring useful pull-out drawers flank each wall.'
10. Utilize the space under the stairs
(Image credit: Mylands)
'For the space conscious, under stairs ideas for a small entryway are just what you need to ensure one of the most cumbersome parts of the house is not being underused,' says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor, Homes & Gardens.
‘Awkward spaces like the one under the stairs present the perfect opportunity to be creative,’ says interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch . ‘We make a point of devising intelligent entryway storage solutions for our clients to help them to get the most out of their home.’
Under stairs cupboards make great entryway closets, offering height at one end for tall tools and appliances.
Plus, they can be painted to match the rest of the home, as demonstrated here.
How do I organize my entryway closet?
The best way to organize an entryway closet is to make a list of everything you need when you enter and exit your home. Good storage makes or breaks an entryway – and you can never have enough hooks, hangers, cupboard and cubbies to keep all your kit in place.
A mix of open and closed cabinets, shelving, hooks, and shoe racks should all figure in your entryway closet ideas.
Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 20 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time, both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor for indie magazine, 91, she trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for modern weddings and events. For H&G, she writes features about interior design – and is known for having an eye for a beautiful room.
Front Entry Small Closet Organization Ideas
Create a pretty and organized front entry closet with these simple small closet organization ideas. Easy tips to transform your closet from drab to fabulous and functional!
Front Entry Closet
Our front entry closet is super small but needs to serve a variety of purposes. It stores our coats, accessories, shoes, dog supplies, my purses, cleaning products and a few other random items. Despite being such a hardworking space, this closet has definitely been neglected and I really haven’t done anything with it for years. When I decided not to use this peel and stick wall paper in our bedroom, I thought that the closet would be the perfect space to try it out. And that’s how our mini-closet makeover was born!
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Small Closet Organization Ideas
Today I wanted to share a few simple tips and organization strategies to help you optimize your closet storage.
Taking a little time to think about what you need to store and how you want to organize your items, can make a huge difference in how your space will function. So find a closet or other small space in your home that’s been driving you crazy and put these tips to the test!
Start with a blank slate.
If you’re wanting to do some re-organizing in any closet space, I always recommend starting with a clean slate. Emptying everything out allows you to better see the space and get a little more creative with alternative ways that you can arrange things. Declutter and purge items that you don’t want or use so you know exactly what you need to put back into the closet. {See my tips on how to declutter and organize any space HERE.} Sort any remaining items into categories {grouping similar items together} for more functional storage. And prioritize your most important items if you’re short on space. Once this is done, you’ll have a much clearer picture of your storage needs.
If you think you still have too many items, you’ll need to go back to the drawing board.
Are there any items remaining that you really don’t need and could get rid of? Are there off-season items that could be stored elsewhere and rotated around with the seasons? Keep editing until you’re down to what you need.
Identify your storage needs.
Now that you’ve scaled down what you really want to keep, it’s time to start looking at organization options. Always make sure you measure your space beforehand and know your needs prior to shopping for storage solutions. Here are some ideas for you…
Hanging Storage
If you need to hang coats, clothing, or other items, some kind of hanging bar {as opposed to actual wall hangers or pegs} will give you the most storage space. The wire shelf and rod in our closet is a very inexpensive option and provides a shelf above for additional storage. These can always be cut down to match the exact dimensions in your closet. Use matching, thin coat hangers to provide a more cohesive look and save on space.
Bins
Bins are perfect for storing smaller, loose items that you want to remain hidden.
To keep things organized, have a dedicated space for each grouping of items so you’re always storing similar items together. Label the bins if needed. We have a bin for my personal accessories, one for my husband’s items, and one for all of the dogs’ extra stuff {collars, brushes, dog bags, etc.}. The kids store their stuff in our laundry room/mudroom, so we keep all of their stuff out of here!
Storage Cubes
Storage cubes are another great, inexpensive storage solution and I love using them in closets! They can provide a ton of storage for both bins as well as larger, open items. Using half bins and half open storage, gives the space a little more of a lighter feel and still allows a few peeks at the pretty wall paper. Depending on your space, you can position them vertically or horizontally.
Shoe Storage
Shoe racks generally fit well below any hanging storage. Look for expandable shoe rack options so you can really optimize your space or double them up if they’re still not long enough.
If your shoe rack will be more out in the open and you wanted something a little more substantial looking, I like this option. A hanging shoe organizer would also work and these work great for other storage options too! {see below}. Make sure you have an idea of the type of footwear and how many pairs of shoes you want to store so you can make sure that the shoe rack will fit for your needs. Winter boots, for example, will either need to be stored on the top shelf or a shoe rack with higher shelves.
Optimize the layout.
This has got to be one of the most awkward closet spaces that I have worked on. The closet is set at an angle to the small door opening and is kind of shaped like a right angle triangle. I tried to do my best with the photos, but given the space, poor light, and weird angles, it’s definitely not the easiest space to photograph.
Make it pretty.
Just because it’s small doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty! This closet hadn’t been painted in about 18 years so it was definitely in need of a touch-up.
To get started, we painted it using Old Soul by Benjamin Moore to match the rest of the hallway color. I then added some pretty removeable peel and stick wall paper that I picked up at Home Depot.
The peel and stick wall paper is so easy to apply – even easier than painting a wall! I love seeing the pretty paper every time I open the door. I know it may sound silly to try and make a little closet look pretty, but I find that it’s much more motivating to keep it clean and organized when I love the look!
Add a light.
Trying to find things in this closet when it was dark out used to drive me crazy. We’d often have to get a flashlight to see into the corners and bins and it was such a pain. I got this stick on LED light for Christmas and it has been one of the most useful little gadgets that we own. It has motion and light sensors so it only goes on when the door is opened and the light is required. It’s the little things in life that make such a difference! lol!
Maximize all of the vertical storage.
For small spaces, it’s so important to maximize all of that vertical storage. Bring that storage up as high as you can and look for any wall spaces where extra storage can be added. Keep less used items or out-of-season items up higher and keep those daily items within easy reach. Wall hooks are a great way to add a little extra storage for non-bulky items that you need to access on the go. I use these hooks for my purse and scarf as well as guest coats {when we can actually have company again!}. There’s even a small shelf on the top of the unit with a basket for our sunglasses and any other small items.
Utilize those awkward spaces.
The far corner of the closet is extremely small – not even a foot wide – with really awkward angles. These super sturdy mop and broom hooks work perfectly for holding our cleaning products. I love that this one from Homely has both the hooks and the rubber tool slots. It also comes in a variety of sizes so you can totally maximize storage for your specific space.
These hangers would also be perfect for the garage for storing outdoor and gardening tools. They can be screwed into the wall for heavier storage needs but also come with a double sided adhesive option as well. Since we’re having to pull our cleaning tools out at an odd angle, we ended up screwing ours into the wall to secure.
Use a hanging organizer.
I love using hanging shoe organizers in closet spaces – and they don’t have to be just used for shoes! They come in different lengths, widths, and configurations, so you can tailor them to whatever space you have. You can even find some with drawer units in them. I used ours for some extra cleaning supply storage but you could really use them for anything. Accessories, clothing, dog supplies, extra coats – the potential is endless!
I hope these tips help you out and inspire you to look at those small spaces! If you have any great organizing tips for small spaces of your own, let me know. I always love to hear from you!
More Closet Organization Ideas
For more closet organization ideas, check out these posts…
Clothes Closet Organization Ideas
Cleaning Closet Organization
7 best ideas for wardrobe organization
How to organize storage in the dressing room? Told in the video
1 Make room for decorations
The most compact "inhabitants" of the dressing room deserve as much attention as the rest of the closet filling.
Do not store jewelry and accessories in the same box or bag without dividers and other identification marks. Firstly, this directly affects the quality of jewelry: they break and deform faster. Secondly, it is more difficult to put together a single image, and you will spend more time looking for the right earrings or necklace.
Social networks of blogger Isabella Franke
Provide a separate drawer and organizers for jewelry and accessories. It is better to choose boxes sheathed with soft felt - so fragile glass and precious materials will not be scratched.
2 Store your laundry in drawers
Keep your underwear neat and tidy when stored with drawers with dividers. Place one item in each cell.
Social media blogger The Home Habit
This ensures that your laundry is in good condition and that you can put together the right set right away. In addition, this storage option in the dressing room looks neat and beautiful, which creates the impression of a well-thought-out, ordered space.
3 Place bags on an open shelf
To keep bags in shape, do not stack them in drawers or cramped boxes. It is best to display them on open surfaces: for example, on shelves.
Social media blogger Amy Goodwin
Bulk bags, if folded into a drawer, will take up all the space at once and make the storage system in the dressing room much less capacious. Instead, turn your collection of accessories into a full-fledged interior decoration.
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4 Use the same hangers
Storage in the dressing room should be not only functional and roomy, but also beautiful. To do this, try to design the space in the same style, as well as select suitable accessories.
For example, the same clothes hangers look beautiful.
Social networks of blogger Armonia Yyc
It doesn't matter what material they are made of, the main thing is complete visual identity. Different hangers create a sense of chaos and look ugly, visually overloading the closet.
5 Use smart hangers
Multi-functional storage and organization accessories expand your wardrobe and increase its capacity with the same volume. One such helper is a vertical hanger.
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It allows you to store many trousers or other items of clothing at once without taking up too much space. In addition, it will be easier for you to find the right thing than if it was stored in a pile.
6 Hang your clothes rails at different levels
To make the most of your closet space, hang two clothes rails at different levels, one above and one below.
On the top hanger you can store sweaters and shirts, and at the bottom - trousers.
Social media blogger Palmbeach Organized
First of all, the vertical organization of things in the dressing room will save you a lot of space. Secondly, things will be stored in a more accurate form, because they do not have to be hung close to each other.
7 Use tags to organize
Use visual cues to better navigate your closet space. One of them is rod tags, with which you can separate things into groups.
Social media blogger Barley Boy
For example, this way you can separate the clothes of different family members hanging on the same rod. Also, with the help of such an accessory it is convenient to distribute things according to the seasons or to allocate clothes for some specific purposes and events.
On the cover: a project by Alexander and Alexandra Hartke.
Photo: Evgeny Gnesin. Stylist: Irina Bebeshina
Material prepared
Elena Perlova
12 unexpected ideas for storage in the dressing room
1 Use boxes and baskets
We quite often write about the benefits of baskets and boxes for the interior of an apartment. They help to keep order and aesthetics even in small things. In the dressing room, these are also indispensable accessories. You can put seasonal clothes and shoes in boxes to keep them in the best condition, store underwear or clothes that are in the sock. In the end, you can put clean, but not yet ironed clothes there, so as not to spoil the interior of your room with “hills” of clothes taken from the dryer.
Photo: Instagram jenniferegregory
Photo: Instagram homestoriesatoz
2 Pay attention to the wardrobe-transformers or prefabricated systems
This idea will appeal to those who want to organize a dressing room in an uncomfortable corner, a room with an irregular layout or an attic.
In any of these cases, wardrobe transformers and prefabricated systems will come to the rescue - you yourself will decide what accessories you need, choose the height of cabinets and drawers and be able to make even the most uncomfortable corner in the room functional.
Photo: Instagram sarahmdorseydesigns
3 Hang railings
Railings are universal "helpers" for simple and functional storage. And the range of their application is much wider than the working surface in the kitchen. For example, in the dressing room you can store scarves and even shoes on railings - just put them on the railing with a heel, they will hold on.
Photo: Instagram thechroniclesofhome.com
4 See above
The indisputable advantage of wardrobes is that you can use the entire space right up to the ceiling. And this is really important, so the storage system becomes much more functional. And even if you only have a small utility room in the room, do not waste space under the ceiling - hang rails for clothes there.
Photo: urbanacreage.com
5 Look for custom solutions
These fixtures are used as shelf holders. But what if you hang them on the other side and use them as hangers in small dressing rooms? Try it!
Photo: livethemma.ikea.se
6 Use hanging shoe organizers
And you don't have to store only sneakers, sneakers or shoes in them. Twisted T-shirts, long sleeves - any knitwear that does not wrinkle can also be stored in this way. It will be much more economical and, by the way, safer for clothes - in this form, knitwear will not stretch.
Photo: askannamoseley.com
7 Use Office Organizers
See how office paper organizers were used in this closet. Now they store small wallets and clutches. And by the way, paper towel holders also come in handy - for bracelets, watches or twisted belts.
Photo: perpetuallychic.com
8 Sign boxes
A simple rule that many people forget. By signing boxes, you will find the right thing much faster.
Especially if the dressing room is for children or things of the whole family are stored in it, including cosmetics and medicines.
Photo: Instagram sarahmdorseydesigns
Photo: Instagram henryandhigby
9 Improvise with internal storage
For example, underwear or swimwear can be folded into these organza bags. It looks nice and very neat. And if you impregnate such bags with aromatic oils, a pleasant aroma of linen is provided.
Photo: Instagram dannyorganiza
10 Use accessories to save space
We've already talked about these things in the article on how to store shoes. Look for accessories that help keep a pair of shoes compact.
Photo: Instagram minimalismopo
11 Don't forget the liners to keep things in order
Ordinary drawer liners can organize storage and help you keep things in perfect order.
