Uncover Hidden Storage Space in Your Hallway
These 13 creative space-saving solutions will make your life easier
Yanic Simard
March 11, 2019
Houzz Contributor. Founder, owner and principal designer of the award winning residential interior design boutique firm Toronto Interior Design Group.
Houzz Contributor. Founder, owner and principal designer of the award winning residential... More
In a small home, you don’t always have the luxury of leaving your entry or hallways free of furniture and storage. Sometimes you need to use every square inch to have a place for everything. Luckily, with a little creativity and a few tips from yours truly, you can create several storage areas in these cramped spaces — without feeling boxed in.
1. Floating Cabinet
We usually see floating cabinets used as bathroom vanities or perhaps cool modern bedside tables, but they are excellent choices for cramped entryways and hallways. The fact that they float off the ground means you’ll avoid stubbing toes when multiple people are trying to squeeze through the space at the same time. Floating cabinets also make it a bit easier to maneuver wheeled items through, such as strollers or luggage.
Choose a cabinet with hard lacquered doors in a fun color to add a pop of interest and to help it stand up to a few accidental dings.
Find an interior designer to help with storage solutions
We usually see floating cabinets used as bathroom vanities or perhaps cool modern bedside tables, but they are excellent choices for cramped entryways and hallways. The fact that they float off the ground means you’ll avoid stubbing toes when multiple people are trying to squeeze through the space at the same time. Floating cabinets also make it a bit easier to maneuver wheeled items through, such as strollers or luggage.
Choose a cabinet with hard lacquered doors in a fun color to add a pop of interest and to help it stand up to a few accidental dings.
Find an interior designer to help with storage solutions
2. Shoe Shelves
Shoe racks that sit on the floor don’t always make the best use of space. Thinking back to our floating cabinet, it’s helpful in a small space to keep the floor free and clear. Instead of a floor unit, try using wall-mounted racks or slim shelves to keep shoes up and out of the way, and hidden from normal view (which may be just as well for your well-worn sneakers).
Browse shoe racks in the Houzz Shop
Shoe racks that sit on the floor don’t always make the best use of space. Thinking back to our floating cabinet, it’s helpful in a small space to keep the floor free and clear. Instead of a floor unit, try using wall-mounted racks or slim shelves to keep shoes up and out of the way, and hidden from normal view (which may be just as well for your well-worn sneakers).
Browse shoe racks in the Houzz Shop
3. Slim Cabinets
Speaking of shoe racks, slim wall-mounted shoe cabinets with tip-out compartments have a much slimmer profile than a typical storage unit. These compartments can work well for many other storage needs, such as holding documents, mittens, plastic bags and other small and flat items. The shelf on top is usually just deep enough to hold some decorative items and act as a catchall for keys or coins. Switch out the knobs for a stylish upgrade and you’ve got an easy solution that can look high-end.
Speaking of shoe racks, slim wall-mounted shoe cabinets with tip-out compartments have a much slimmer profile than a typical storage unit. These compartments can work well for many other storage needs, such as holding documents, mittens, plastic bags and other small and flat items. The shelf on top is usually just deep enough to hold some decorative items and act as a catchall for keys or coins. Switch out the knobs for a stylish upgrade and you’ve got an easy solution that can look high-end.
4. Wire Baskets
Sometimes the trouble with storage baskets is that after you’ve tossed things in them, you forget what ended up where. Mesh storage baskets like those shown here are easy to hang (you just need a few nails or screws, or even a removable hook), and can keep your items reined in yet visible.
This is a great solution for items like gloves, scarves, even dog sweaters —anything that actually looks attractive on display but doesn’t make sense hanging on its own hook.
Shop for metal baskets
Sometimes the trouble with storage baskets is that after you’ve tossed things in them, you forget what ended up where. Mesh storage baskets like those shown here are easy to hang (you just need a few nails or screws, or even a removable hook), and can keep your items reined in yet visible.
This is a great solution for items like gloves, scarves, even dog sweaters —anything that actually looks attractive on display but doesn’t make sense hanging on its own hook.
Shop for metal baskets
5. Hat Rack Stack
The entryway between two sets of double doors may not be a great place for a cabinet or set of deep shelves, but it can be the perfect place to hang your hat — literally. A few simple hooks here create a stylish display down the wall, which can be perfectly capped by a pair or two of boots. Not a hat person? Try the same idea with scarves, bags or leashes.
Find hooks for hats, coats and scarves
The entryway between two sets of double doors may not be a great place for a cabinet or set of deep shelves, but it can be the perfect place to hang your hat — literally. A few simple hooks here create a stylish display down the wall, which can be perfectly capped by a pair or two of boots. Not a hat person? Try the same idea with scarves, bags or leashes.
Find hooks for hats, coats and scarves
6. Open Compartments
Custom built-ins like those shown here are a bit more of an investment than a free-standing furniture piece or shelves. But they make keeping an organized entryway a snap. That’s because you can design the units to accommodate everything you plan to toss there.
Open storage hooks and shelves make tossing down boots, hats, sporting equipment and the like quick and easy enough that even the laziest resident can make the effort. Defined, separate compartments keep the whole wall from feeling unkempt, and actually feature the casually tossed items like a display case. Between open and closed storage, it’s the best of both worlds.
Cabinets 101: How to Get the Storage You Want
Custom built-ins like those shown here are a bit more of an investment than a free-standing furniture piece or shelves. But they make keeping an organized entryway a snap. That’s because you can design the units to accommodate everything you plan to toss there.
Open storage hooks and shelves make tossing down boots, hats, sporting equipment and the like quick and easy enough that even the laziest resident can make the effort. Defined, separate compartments keep the whole wall from feeling unkempt, and actually feature the casually tossed items like a display case. Between open and closed storage, it’s the best of both worlds.
Cabinets 101: How to Get the Storage You Want
7. Storage Corner
Have an odd corner or a curved wall that can’t fit any sort of functional furniture? Consider getting a custom wraparound shelf cut to fit. Or, even easier, hang a row of hooks to mimic the look of this storage nook. Paint the area an accent color from the floor to about 6 feet high, and you’ll create the look of a custom niche even without any carpentry work.
Have an odd corner or a curved wall that can’t fit any sort of functional furniture? Consider getting a custom wraparound shelf cut to fit. Or, even easier, hang a row of hooks to mimic the look of this storage nook. Paint the area an accent color from the floor to about 6 feet high, and you’ll create the look of a custom niche even without any carpentry work.
8. Ladder Shelves
Whether you pick up a ladder-inspired shelving unit like this one or creatively repurpose an actual ladder, this sort of storage solution has practical benefits and style. Because the “ladder” leans away from you as it moves upward, it effectively takes up less space where you need elbow room. In fact, this design can make it seem even slimmer than it really is.
This makes a space feel less closed in than a shelving unit that stays the same height all the way up, but still gives you somewhere to store baskets or other items of various sizes.
Whether you pick up a ladder-inspired shelving unit like this one or creatively repurpose an actual ladder, this sort of storage solution has practical benefits and style. Because the “ladder” leans away from you as it moves upward, it effectively takes up less space where you need elbow room. In fact, this design can make it seem even slimmer than it really is.
This makes a space feel less closed in than a shelving unit that stays the same height all the way up, but still gives you somewhere to store baskets or other items of various sizes.
9. Open Cabinets
When you’re really tight for space in an entryway or a hall, sometimes even having cabinets with doors can be a dealbreaker. Try removing the doors from a simple cabinet or using an open bookshelf instead, with color-matched baskets (such as white baskets on white shelves) for a slimmer profile but still a tidy look, and with no swinging doors to get in the way.
When you’re really tight for space in an entryway or a hall, sometimes even having cabinets with doors can be a dealbreaker. Try removing the doors from a simple cabinet or using an open bookshelf instead, with color-matched baskets (such as white baskets on white shelves) for a slimmer profile but still a tidy look, and with no swinging doors to get in the way.
10. Stair Shelves
Building shelving or compartments into your staircase can be a smart, architectural approach to saving space. But if you don’t already have them, they aren’t very easy to tack on.
Shelving that sits on a staircase is another story. If your home has a relatively wide staircase eating up a chunk of your square footage, steal some of that space back by building compartmentalized shelves on top of them. You can have cubbies in different sizes for bags, shoes, books, baskets, the works. Now you won’t need to cut into a cramped foyer, as all the storage you need will be mere steps away.
Building shelving or compartments into your staircase can be a smart, architectural approach to saving space. But if you don’t already have them, they aren’t very easy to tack on.
Shelving that sits on a staircase is another story. If your home has a relatively wide staircase eating up a chunk of your square footage, steal some of that space back by building compartmentalized shelves on top of them. You can have cubbies in different sizes for bags, shoes, books, baskets, the works. Now you won’t need to cut into a cramped foyer, as all the storage you need will be mere steps away.
11. Multipurpose Shelving
In a truly small space, sometimes every area has to serve double duty. A laundry room-style rack shelf can function as a sleek shelf most of the time, and then be used as a drying rack when needed for hand-washed items. The cross bars also let you toss on hangers too, so this area can suddenly become a coat rack during a party or during winter in a region with a cold climate.
In a truly small space, sometimes every area has to serve double duty. A laundry room-style rack shelf can function as a sleek shelf most of the time, and then be used as a drying rack when needed for hand-washed items. The cross bars also let you toss on hangers too, so this area can suddenly become a coat rack during a party or during winter in a region with a cold climate.
12. Art Rails
Only need enough storage to stash your keys when you walk in? Lucky you! For a place to toss small items, try an art rail instead of a full shelf. Art rails usually have a depth of just a few inches, so they won’t get in the way much at all, and when not keeping your keys for you, they can also beautifully display frames, books or small knickknacks.
Only need enough storage to stash your keys when you walk in? Lucky you! For a place to toss small items, try an art rail instead of a full shelf. Art rails usually have a depth of just a few inches, so they won’t get in the way much at all, and when not keeping your keys for you, they can also beautifully display frames, books or small knickknacks.
13. Creative Repurposing
Keep in mind that your entryway doesn’t have to store only clothing and gear for outdoor activities. It’s your home, and your rules. Try using a creative piece like this vintage file cabinet to store documents or other less-used items — you can use one drawer as a place to store rock salt, a windshield scraper or other seasonal tools. Don’t be fixated on the purpose a piece of furniture was built for if it can work in a totally different way.
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Read more stories about entryways
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Keep in mind that your entryway doesn’t have to store only clothing and gear for outdoor activities. It’s your home, and your rules. Try using a creative piece like this vintage file cabinet to store documents or other less-used items — you can use one drawer as a place to store rock salt, a windshield scraper or other seasonal tools. Don’t be fixated on the purpose a piece of furniture was built for if it can work in a totally different way.
More
Read more stories about entryways
Find a pro to help organize your entry
Shop for storage products
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Nice tips, thank you :-)
I like the slim cabinet idea as my entry way is very narrow, however, I can see it getting grimy very quickly (neihbour's Douglas firs and the needles as well as the challenge of cleaning wet, muddy bike cleats). Do people just vacuum theirs regularly?
Also, will they fit hiking boots?
Lovely! These ideas are so practical although with smaller storage it's very hard to keep anything there other than keys. They look awesome, though.