Elfa shelving would give you more efficient use of the space. Have you looked into that possibility?

I have just started and figured I would start with you guys. Thanks for the suggestion. I think The Container Store will be on my list of places to go this week.

What is opposite the entry door? A mirror? I would add a lidded bench under it as a place for the shoes where you could sit down and remove them, dropping them inside. If too shallow, try a storage piece like this. That might clear the closet floor. Then raise the closet self/hanger higher for adult coats and put another one at kid's level.

I had a similar dilemma with a similarly-sized closet, although there are just two of us. There is an Elfa basket on the door now. I purchased (also from the Container Store) a set of six cubbies that may have originally been meant for shoes, but I re-purposed it for gloves, scarves, and hats. In addition to bi-level shelves for shoes on the floor, there is a hanging shoe holder on the hanger bar. It also serves as a divider between my coats and my husband's coats.

If you live near a Container Store, you can take the closet measurements there and they will come up with a plan. I did so with our master closet. They came up with a nice design that was pretty pricey. I may yet go ahead with it one day, but in the meantime, I used cheaper, less permanent, alternatives. If you don't live near a container store, there is a design tool on their website.

Thanks Decoenthusiaste. I have a slanted wall that just has a thin piece of art on it and behind that wall is the very small half bath so no busting through that area. Unfortunately the pathway into the house is about 3'. So any more obstructions would just look really cluttered and we would all be banging into it more then what we already do. However I do love the idea of being able to store the shoes that way and also having a second rail to store the children's coats.

Thanks marci4. I am not far from a Container Store so I will check them out. I will have to checkout the Elfa basket and see if it will work OR maybe just get rid of a couple kids :)

Maybe hang shoes on vertically on interior of closet door (adult shoes up high and kids shoes lower). Then add organizing items (like Elfa) as others have mentioned. You can even get shelves that are high and pull down for access.

Sherry, it's currently Elfa sale time at the Container store. Good time to go!

I like decoenthusiate's suggestion for the wall opposite the entry door, if you have 12" or so between the closet and that wall.

If possible, try to focus on hanging in the closet, creating a section for long (coats) and two levels for jackets.

FYI, Elfa at Container Store is pricey. I was able to design, install, and warranty laminate systems for about 15% more than many comparable Elfa systems.