Entryway closet storage


10 tips for hallway closets |

(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.

10 Entryway Organization Ideas | Martha Stewart

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entryway with wooden table and circular mirror and plant

Credit: Lauren Pressey

Your entryway may be the space your family utilizes every morning to get ready for the day ahead, but it's also the first impression guests get when they enter your house. With that in mind, it's easy to see why this area needs to be both functional and representative of your overall style. 

Often a dumping ground for shoes, coats, and other everyday wares, it's easy for your foyer to fill up with its fair share of clutter. But by implementing simple organizing systems—like a coat and shoe rack—you can quickly make this space orderly and functional. Once the basics are covered, it's all about incorporating accessories to further maximize and stylize the space, like sleek umbrella organizers, mirrors, and shelving.

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Use a Shoe Tray

boot tray for home entrance

Credit: Kirsten Francis

Most boot trays look like they belong in the garage, not your well-appointed entryway. This shiny copper model breaks the mold. It's long enough to hold the entire family's footwear, and is so great-looking, you'll want to keep it out long after the snow melts.

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Create a Custom Entryway Console

sea foam custom cabinet in entryway

Credit: Kirsten Francis

An entryway console serves as a catchall for miscellaneous objects you often leave at the door—think keys, headphones, and sunglasses. "Personalizing spaces for you and your family's unique needs and lifestyles is always a good idea," says Meredith Goforth, founder of House of Prim. "There are endless ways you can customize your console: hooks, bins, zones, designated cubbies, labels, and more. There is no one-size-fits all solution, and that's what makes it perfectly custom for you."

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Add Mirrors

montauk home tour entryway

Credit: Thomas Richter of The White Arrow

Who doesn't want to give themselves a once over before heading out the door? Keeping a mirror in your mudroom will allow you to do just that. "Mirrors are also always a classic addition to any entryway, especially for opening up smaller spaces," says Goforth. 

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Use Storage Baskets

mudroom with children's belongings

Credit: Christopher Churchill

Don't let smaller items get lost in the shuffle. Organize your entryway by containing accessories in bins set near your front door. "Always give small items a specific home," says Goforth. "In my entryway, I keep labeled bins for scarves, gloves, hats, and even socks to make it easier to get my family out the door."

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Create a Numbered Entryway

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Credit: Johnny Miller

Streamline your entryway with boldly numbered hooks and corresponding cloth baskets for family members or guests. Using stencils is a smart way to ensure painted numbers look flawless on your walls.

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Add a Bucket Umbrella Stand

green accented entryway

Credit: Dane Tashima

Looking for a way to waterproof your entryway when it's raining? "An umbrella stand next to the door is a convenient solution for both you and your guests," says Goforth. Opt for one that fits both big and small umbrellas to limit the chances of a loved one needing to leave theirs on the floor. 

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Implement Assigned Organizers

mudroom storage lockers chalkboard

If sports equipment, bags, and shoes are constantly underfoot in your home, give everybody a separate space for such gear. Assign a storage bin to each member of the household. Slide the bins underneath a bench in the front hall, or line them up in a mudroom organizer with designated sections. 

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Use a Magnetic Hall Organizer

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Metal mailboxes offer a stylish way to organize a front hall or a mudroom. The hooks provide a perfect perch for raincoats, scarves, and umbrellas, while hats, gloves, and mittens fit nicely inside the box. 

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Utilize Closet Storage

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Outfit your entryway closet with smart storage solutions so it's ready for every coat and accessory. To neatly store bags, mount hooks on the inside of the door. Then get double the amount of hanging space with a closet rod extender. Suspend longer coats on the upper level; use the bottom rod for shorter ones.

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Make a Pebble-Filled Tray

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Make a boot tray by the door even better: Fill it with stones, which can be found at garden centers). Ice and snow will melt and drain through the rocks to the bottom of the tray, so your boots won't stand in a puddle. Most of the moisture will evaporate, but you should clean out the tray regularly.

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