The entryway is where a home either stays tidy or falls apart. Coats, shoes, bags, keys and mail all arrive at the same spot, and without a plan they end up on the sofa. These six pieces give each of those things a place, and they work in a narrow hallway as well as a spacious foyer.
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Plan the zone
Measure the width of the hall and the depth you can spare without blocking the door. Work out what arrives most often, such as coats, shoes, bags or post, and give each its own spot. Keep the things you use every day at hand height, and keep the walkway clear so nobody has to squeeze past.
Coats, bags and shoes
A hall tree
A hall tree packs a bench, hooks and a shoe shelf into one narrow piece, so it handles most of the entryway on its own. This five-in-one model has a coat rack and shoe bench. Check the width and depth against your hall, and anchor tall units to the wall.
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A boot tray
A tray catches mud, snow and wet footprints and keeps the floor clean. This Ottomanson boot tray is waterproof and fifteen by thirty inches. It makes a rainy day much less messy, and it is cheap and easy to hose down.
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Keys, mail and mirror
A mail organizer
A countertop organizer sorts letters, bills and keys before they spread across the house. Having a spot for mail by the door helps you deal with it daily. Choose one that fits on a console table.
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A narrow console table
A slim table gives you a surface for keys, a bowl and a lamp without crowding the hall. This thirty-two-inch console has a storage shelf below for baskets. Measure the hall width, and choose one about 10 to 12 inches deep.
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An entryway mirror
A mirror lets you check your look on the way out and makes a narrow hall feel wider by bouncing light. This black arch mirror is thirty by thirty-six inches. Hang it above the console table. An arched shape softens a hard-edged space.
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An entryway basket
A basket collects scarves, gloves, hats and dog leads in one place. This wicker basket has leather handles and sits under the console table or on a shelf. It keeps small items from disappearing in winter.
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Keep it up
Give each person a hook and a bin, and do a two-minute reset at the end of the day. An entryway that works makes the rest of the home easier to keep tidy.