The Elements of a great entryway

Many homes and apartment units have really tiny entrances or a very small foyer where ALL that comes with us from the street usually lives! It’s amazing what these little spaces can hold, but also how difficult it can be to create organizing systems and organizing a narrow entry requires a lot of imagination! And no matter the season out

Even if you don’t struggle on a daily basis with a narrow entrance in your home, keeping this area organized is very important for many reasons, both for the practical side of life, but also for the psychological impact clutter has on us. With an ongoing project I set myself on the search for solutions to make life simpler in organizing a narrow entrance for my busy client and her children.  And here is a list of what we’d like to have in the “perfect” entrance:

• Great lighting – nothing worse than entering the home and it’s dark. When we open the door, we really want to be able to spot the space, move around without bumping into things or each other.
• A landing space – at least a a place to “land” the wallet, car keys and your purse. Of course, if we can fit more, we will!
• A mirror, if possible.
• Hooks for jackets, coats and hats.
• Bins for the small items like gloves, scarves and other accessories.
• A rug to keep the dust out.

And here are some images of great entrances and how they can serve you to make landing and taking off to daily life a bliss!

 A very long and narrow entry can accomodate a bench and a mirror. The closet will hold all your seasonal items.

 

A long and narrow shelf with small drawers underneath was installed and serves as a console for arriving and placing your keys and wallet and for keeping it clean of clutter.

 

 An entrance without a closet can be very challenging but adding a bench and baskets will create the seating and storage for small items you need.A coat hanger can be added for jackets, umbrellas and other seasonal gear.

Bright and clean a narrow shelf serves as a console to the entrance and a small bench gives you a seat. Image BHG.com

 

A great way to create both sitting space and storage at the entryway: a bench with hidden storage! Image: BHG.com

 

Beautiful wall paper os used to create the mood in this entryway where the drawers under the seat and the shelf above it holds all you need for a perfect take off! Image: BHG.com

A very creative way to bring storage for all that’s being used during the season – and for all heights! From the always great: marthastewart.com

Again creativity creates an unique entrance and a beautiful one! A bench, hooks and under the bench storage gives you all you need. Image: marthastewart.com

 This is the mother of all entryways of a busy family! With all you need to keep the space clear of clutter and have what you need when you need it. Image: IKEA.com

I hope you find this post on organizing a narrow entry useful and that the tips and examples help you get your entryway all ready to go!

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To your success,

Helena