I always like a spot to sit in an entry so I agree a shoe bench is probably the best . But honestly you need a closet in that space for sure.

The best one is the one that they'll actually use. Otherwise, you're just adding an extra piece of furniture for no reason.

Any of the pieces will get used, at least by me as i’m passing through tidying! if i do a bench i’ll add some iron hooks above for wayward hats, etc. All of the options are weight-bearing and can be sat on. We do have a coat closet but it’s through the kitchen doorway, i guess to be halfway between the front and garage doors.

I actually voted for the last one, but was torn between that one and the black/gray/taupe. I do think bench is the way to go, especially since you do have the console. I think you can take away the vote for the last one and add one to the black gray taupe. :)

I would select the correct rug for the area first and then see what the space still needs. That white round rug is not working in this space.

It’s neater at a front door to have baskets, so shoes are hidden. Can also designate by person.

Why can't the shoes be placed inside the sideboard?

I agree about getting the rug first. Out of the options you gave, I like the black and jute bench best. But I like the ones with baskets better, much tidier looking.

I was thinking the same as BeverlyFLADeziner and wondering why the console can't serve the purpose as a shoe corral. The partial wall across from the console doesn't seem quite big enough to place some kind of shoe/bench furniture.

The console isnt deep enough for my husband’s shoes. i also have small kids and an elderly MIL so figured i would need a bench near the entry for getting shoes on and off anyway. And yes im doing a different rug for sure, thinking plain jute or the ruggable version of jute? Our other rugs are persian-style, so i think i should go neutral to avoid competing colors/patterns in adjacent rooms. This moodboard is pretty similar to my ultimate goal except no lamp (we have no outlet there) and i might do a fiddle leaf or banana leaf instead of the olive tree, in the corner next to the stairway instead of next to the console.

I would want a closed piece in the main guest entry to the home. Do you not enter via the garage more often than not?

We honestly do about 50/50 since we don’t currently keep our cars in the garage. We have a very small mudroom by the garage door where we have a hall tree and shoe racks, but shoes inevitably end up in the front entry too. I’m a germophobe and hate the thought of shoes comingling and on top of each other in baskets, but i might need to get over it to avoid looking like a slob!

Reality strikes :) I have been contemplating a bench /storage but the wall i have is smaller.I do like the looks of baskets, but when I have read reviews, people comment that they hold very little. Seeing the original poster mention that husband's shoes don't fit in that console, reminded me that they likely won't fit so well in baskets (or if they do, they don't fit many shoes).

Baskets look pretty, IF the kids pull them out, put their shoes in and then put the baskets back. Seems unrealistic depending on the age of your children. I think Mom will end up doing it.

Pick the the one your kids will actually use - probably the open shelf ones. Maybe it’s not as perfect looking, but having shoes all over the place is worse.

Ikea has this shoe cabinet.

Next, take a look at of how people have customized their cabinets — better known as an Ikea hack. You can even place 2 cabinets side by side for double the storage. Hoping Beth chimes in, she has alot of ideas.

https://ikeahackers.net/2020/03/ikea-hemnes-shoe-cabinet-personalised.html

I went for the black/gray/taupe bench since i need seating and will pair it with a jute rug. Thanks for all the help!

Since you seem to be lacking coat storage right at the entry I voted for the grey hall tree but I would really prefer one with doors to hide coats as well as shoes.