We decided to DIY our entryway, and it was a quick and affordable project that added so much functionality to our home.
Welcome
An entryway is more than where you store your shoes and outerwear. However, it is also the space in your home where you initially welcome your family and friends—a place everyone sees. Therefore, having an organized space where everyone can come inside, take off their shoes, hang their bags, and everything has its place is key.
The Situation
Our side entry, which is our main entryway, is right off of our kitchen. While it originally didn’t include an entry space, per say, we decided to put one in when we remodeled our kitchen. The shape of our kitchen is a bit odd. It is sort-of L-shaped, but more like an L in serif font. Either way, the amount of space we have is as follows: one 32-inch long wall that is directly beside the door, and a 35-inch long brick chimney that is directly opposite that wall. Between the two is the double doorway to our laundry closet, giving us about 18 inches of depth on the chimney side and five inches on the other.
The Plan
When you first start any home DIY, you will begin to see how awkward your home actually is, but accept it and always think outside the box. You CAN make something that works out of the space you have. Here was my plan:
On the wall near the door, I wanted to put coat hooks for my husband and I, and give it some character with a board and batten look. Then, in the larger space on the opposite wall, I wanted to devote that space to the kids. Mostly because, well, we all know kids come with SO MUCH STUFF.
In our entryway, 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? (Check out this article for how I did it successfully—and love it!)
That is another story. The first portion of adding an entry space was making the built-in coat racks for my husband, guests, and I.
The DIY Details
Here’s what I needed:
- 1×2 boards
- Mitre Saw
- Small Trim Piece
- Brad nailer
- Level
- Caulk
- Caulk Gun
- Paint
- Paintbrush
First, I measured the wall and divided that number into three (for the three board and batten spaces I wanted to add). So, 32 inches, divided by 3 was 10 2/3 inches. Therefore, at 10 2/3 inches from the door trim, and 20 11/32, I made a mark on the wall. I did this at two points, one towards the bottom and one at at 47 1/4 inches from my baseboard trim, as 47 inches was the height I wanted the first horizontal board to come to. You will see why the slight difference in a moment.
Next, I cut two 1x2x6 to 47 inches. cut two 1x2s to that size. I marked the center of those boards, vertically, on the top. This allowed me to line the center of the board with the mark on the wall. I made sure they were level and nailed them to the wall with a brad nailer.
Then, I created two horizontal boards by measuring and cutting from the door trim to the wall near the laundry room and cutting another 1x2x6 to size (32 1/4 x 2). I put the first one level on top of the vertical 1x2s and set the other aside. I made sure the board was level and nailed that, too.
Now, to make the boxes on top, where the hooks would go. I cut two more pieces of 1x2s to 9 1/2 inches and nailed them in line with the other vertical pieces, right above the horizontal piece. Right above that, I nailed the last horizontal piece.
Customizing It
This is where I got a little creative and thought ahead to décor. How cool would it be to put a little picture ledge on top of the board and batten? I had some of this trim that I adored left over from another project, so I nailed a 1×2 on it’s side to the top of the last horizontal board. And, to the edge of that, I nailed the trim board.
Next, I caulked everything. This took the longest. You often need two coats of caulk, as it shrinks when it dries. But after that, it was a quick paint job and the simple attachment of the vintage coat hooks I had found at a flea market earlier that fall.
The Adorable End Result
Even though the idea was the same as we had before (a wall coat hook), the character added by the wall treatment gave it a fancier look, and the picture ledge made it seem like it really belonged there.
This DIY project was very inexpensive, quick, and an easy way to add a more welcoming aspect to your entryway. Since we added this and finished the other side for the kids, the space feels warm, inviting, organized, and useful. Intention achieved.
