Small Entryway: Lessons Learned

Living in a small apartment with growing kids, I have come to the conclusion that a functioning entryway is one of the most critical elements to keeping my sanity. As I search for our next apartment I have a list of requirements and a useable entryway is very high on that list. I am always willing to get creative and build something custom but there a few key elements I need to have space for.

My entryway requirements are based on our mild four season climate while someone living in say California may have less entryway needs whereas someone living in Calgary may have more.

Above all I know that the key to a calm entryway is fewer things and I am constantly and carefully editing the clothing and shoes we have so that we can have the minimum amount while also being ready for all the elements. But those specifics are for another post or for a look back at this Edited Kids Closet pdf!

Though the stroller is long gone we keep the Stroll Away around mostly for guests coats. Older post about it here.

Shoes

A place for shoes that is concealed yet easy to put away. We have the IKEA STALL cabinet mounted on the wall and love it’s narrow footprint (approx. 6” deep). Each kid uses one of the bottom doors for all their shoes. Their boots don’t fit so they end up in the main closet.

I have seen some great entryways were they have put together multiple STALL cabinets or similar narrow shoe cabinets to fill the space and provide ample storage for shoes or even other accessories, recycling, cleaning tools and more. Some other narrow shoe cabinets I would consider for a future entryway are MACKPAR, TRONES, BISSA.

We also have a couple of fabric shoe organizers hanging in the main closet for our shoes (similar here). It’s still an ongoing effort to only have a few pairs of shoes per season. I attempt each season to only have one of each necessary shoe for each person. For example… one pair of rain boots, one pair of boots, one pair of runners, one pair of sandals etc… Even with trying to limit any needless additional shoes, 4 people’s shoes takes up so much space!

Coats

We installed shaker peg rail at the kid’s height to they can access their own coats and bags. I bought them at June Home Supply. Here is another option from EQ3 or ETSY. Similar to shoes, we try to only have one hardworking coat per season but as the weather fluctuates often (hello climate change) often we need multiple coats accessible regularly.

Bags

Ensuring there are set places to hang or store bags so they don’t end up on the floor. Our reusable bags are stored in one of the cubby holes of the hanging shoe storage. And our backpacks or purses go in the closet.

Key/Mail Drop Zone

Ensure you have a dedicated drop zone for the things you often walk in the door with, keys and mail come to mind first. We have a key rack on the wall and a mail holder on the shelf that we know is where we put mail that needs to be dealt with. Always recommend trying to go paperless with as many bills and things as possible.

Mail Holder on the top right is custom-made but I am working on making more! Cork Tray is IKEA Here. Maple top on the STALL I made with my Dad.

Concealed versus Open Storage

I think the main key to a successful entryway is to have a mix of open and concealed storage. Having more concealed storage is better in my opinion but I do find value in having accessible hooks for the kids to have independence in putting away their coats and bags.

Wherever possible I recommend taking advantage of your full ceiling height for closets or storage. This could mean removing doors and knocking our bulkheads (where allowed). Maximizing storage heights in a small space can make all the difference. This might mean adding a narrow wardrobe where none exists, don’t be afraid to get creative with narrow cabinets in a small entryway.

Swap Seasonally

We use vacuum bags to store coats during the summer. And I have a large kuggis bin stored up high for a bit of shoe and boot rotation. This helps to keep the entryway functioning. A lot of our closet is taken up with bike gear for everyone as well.

The key hook (older Umbra) and peg rail is part of our open storage. Peg rail now also holds masks :).

Custom closets to take advantage of high ceilings. More in depth blog post about closets here.

Hope these thoughts are helpful and bring to mind some ideas for your entryway. I tried to capture all sources here but let me know if I missed anything. Oh and I will note a cream rug at an entryway is not recommended. I’m forever on the lookout for a low pile hardwearing neutral rug for this area and always coming up short.

I'll keep looking for more great entryways as I find them. Hopefully more small home tours coming up will have them. Please let me know if you’ve come across any!