A Place To Hang Your Hat
Our kitchen truly is the heart of our home as it includes our side entryway, the one we utilize the most. In fact, due to the property layout, our front door is rarely used at all. Since our kitchen entry is on double duty, welcoming family and guests, a functional space to organize belongings and keep coats and shoes was a must for me when we were renovating our kitchen.
Originally a barn, several additions later we purchased our cute little modified cape, but this was before mudrooms and fancy cubbies. Naturally, as a family of four, two of which were toddlers, shoes littered the floor, coats were strewn about, and our little coat rack just wasn’t enough. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t keep the space organized—because nothing truly had a “home.” It was as if it was all trying to fit in but knew it didn’t belong.
Taking Inventory
Begin our kitchen renovation. I had a couple musts on this list, and one was to put in a dedicated entryway. In our home, we keep our coats, shoes, socks, masks, and seasonal gear in our entryway. I took inventory of everything I needed to keep in the space and came up with what worked best for our space.
The entry in our home would be to the right of the side door, right in front of a laundry closet. It’s a little inset space, as opposite the exterior wall is a brick chimney. One side for the kids, and one side for the adults.
As adults, my husband and I honestly just needed a space for our coats and a pair of shoes or two. What we had before would have worked pretty well for us. (Click here for the DIY we did to spruce up our side.) However, children are a whole different story.
The kids need their sneakers, rain boots, and currently, winter boots. They have their snow suits and jackets. Hats for their heads, mittens for little hands, socks for feet, and masks for faces. Everywhere we go, a diaper bag is always in tow. Now, how to organize all of this in a 3 foot by 1 foot space?
Choosing a functional solution
The concept I went with isn’t new. I decided that a hall tree would be the best use of the space. We needed one that fit the dimensions, had room for shoe storage, and included shelves for baskets. It was actually my husband who found this one that we ultimately purchased. Originally, we were going to DIY our own, but, mid-winter, it was easier and, honestly comparable in price, to buy one.
Here’s my review: When the hall tree arrived, I was a little skeptical. Furniture today isn’t made like it used to be, and in the past, I had a few furniture fails in the past. However, when I began unpacking the box, I could tell this was going to be different. The pieces were solid, the instructions were easy to follow. Within the hour, I had it all put together and was relieved at how sturdy and solid it was. A definite 5 star from me.
Time to Organize
Now that we had the base of our main organization, it was time to organize our entryway. We have lived for 4 years in our home with no entryway, and when I tell you I was excited, it’s an understatement. The joys of being an adult!
The underneath fit the kids boots, sneakers, and socks; the hooks held their coats and snowsuits; two little baskets, one for masks and one for mittens and hats. I could set their diaper bag on the little bench portion.
I can usually tell within a week whether or not the system I have in place will work. Finally, I can say that this is the perfect system for our home.
My Entryway Organization Advice
My advice for when you are planning out a space that needs a little help is to look at how you try to currently use it. What is working? What is missing? Make a list of what you need the space to do for you, what you need it to store, and how you want it to look. With this all written down, you’ll have a clearer picture of what will work best. Then, as you look for the solution, make sure it checks all of your boxes. Don’t settle—compromise at times, yes. But settle? No. You won’t be happy, and you will find what you are looking for. If not, there is a tutorial out there for how to make it.
Our entryway is super functional now, and it’s a space I enjoy looking at, a space I am happy to greet others into. At the end of the day, it took a hall tree and some baskets to organize the kiddos and make momma’s life a little easier. I’d say that’s worth it.
