What is a good Storage solution for a split-level entryway?

Question

We're a family of 5 kids and 2 adults and we use the front door as our main entrance. The challenge is that it's a split level entryway and the space is small with no possibility to cut into the walls for storage space. We're looking for ideas to create some storage solutions for shoes, coats, hats, mittens etc. We just painted the walls and are currently replacing the living room carpet with laminate flooring. These photos show the entryway completely empty with all of our former storage solutions removed. Previously we had a board with hooks on the right wall behind the door (when the door is open) and a row of short hooks on the half wall below the railing for kids. We had a simple white wire shoe rack from Target behind the door otherwise kids would put their shoes on mats on the floor under their coats. The railing became the go-to spot for chuffing hats, mittens, tools, and other stuff. The result was a very cluttered entryway with LOTS of shoes and coats. HELP! We've been discussing removing the railing, too. Thanks for your ideas!

Barb · Answer

Hi Kim, I feel your pain! Use the walls. Find or create some unique hooks for coats. Some baskets with a depth that won't interfere with the door or passage of people for gloves, etc. these can hang from a towel bar or other  bar (curtain rod, branch...) with S hooks so you can easily remove or rearrange them. Shoes are a battle anywhere! I can't tell if you have enough room for a small cubby but did see a cool thing on Pinterest. They attached a row of typical brass coat hook near the floor and hung a shoe on each hook. Again you could do something unique to go with your decor.  Would love to see what you do. Good luck!

Stacey B · Answer

I've seen many solutions for this conundrum....this one is cute! http://ahandmadebliss.blogspot.com/2014/02/home-tour-our-foyer.html

Lavistany · Answer

what's on the other side of either wall? Could you steel a few inches or a foot to make recessed cubbies/cabinets? I would think any little bit would help.

Judy · Answer

Why not cut the drywall out and use the space between the studs? I know it's not deep but we made a trophy case between studs. Luan plywood on the back with 1x3 across the top to hold hooks. Narrow baskets for hats mittens. Board across font of space on bottom of space for shoe rack. Could add cabinet door to hide it.

Jane · Answer

First thought was an old fashioned hall tree but that may or may not go with the rest of the house. But you could do something along those lines, large mirror for last looks, hooks to hold coats and hats, bench with storage for shoes, large pot for umbrellas. OR, nothing, no reason to keep things at the front door 24/7. New concept, put things away in their rooms?

Angle Nefolyn · Answer

Window box around the door. you can add shelves going up the side the door, 1 side for shoes the other with a little coat rack and above the door for what ever else you need room for. Used your amagenasion by adding mirrors to give the effect of windows.

Doyle Tami Harmon · Answer

We had the exact floor plan you do and our solution was to cut the wall underneath the bottom staircase and make it into a storage area. We stored Christmas decorations in the back and my husband built shelves onto the walls for shoes, etc. The opposite wall housed hooks for coats and hats. Close the door and the clutter is gone! In a split, you either have to go up or down the stairs so going downstairs to drop off coats, etc. kept clutter out of the main area of the house. Hope this helps!

Debi53 · Answer

I, too, have the dreaded split foyer. If yours is as small as mine, there is no room for a bench. I just posted pics of our foyer transformation. My redo was decorative instead of functional, but I replaced the spindle half wall with a solid wall for a much cleaner look. You might want to look at it to see what a difference that made. I have two thoughts for your storage solution. Mine are more expensive & require some construction, but if you're going to stay in your home, it might be worth it if you want to hide the clutter. 
1. Where you now have spindles, build a half wall that is deeper than normal with divided shelves to hold baskets to corral gloves, scarves, even shoes, etc. or you could even have drawers built in. Each basket/drawer could be labeled for each family member. On the stair side of the wall, do this where you can reach it from the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs,where you can't reach, have the wall open on the other side for books, pictures, decorative dishes..depending on what that room is (living? dining?)
2. Each stair step is just basically a box. You could replace the nailed in riser with drawers. This would give you tons of closed storage. You wouldn't even have to do the entire stairwell, even a few stairs converted to drawers would make a huge difference.
I know my suggestions are not the normal ones, but any contractor can do these projects in a very short time. 
Whatever you decide, I'd love to see what you end up doing. Best of luck!

HappyNanaSTLMO · Answer

It won't help with the bigger stuff, but don't overlook the possibility of revamping the stairs so that each stair would lift up to reveal a storage cubby underneath. Each family member could have their own individual stair, and that might help with the smaller stuff like mittens/gloves, hats, scarves, and maybe one stair for some tools. Umbrella stands can be nice, especially the thin ones, but with real estate so tight, you'd need to really ask yourself how useful it would be. If most or all family members use compact-size umbrellas designed to fit in a purse or tote, then that's a wasted use of precious space. In that case, the umbrellas (once dry) could be hung on the same hook as the coats, once you figure that piece out.

As for the shoes, with that many people to get out the door in the morning, I can certainly see the advantage of everyone always knowing where to find their shoes (especially the younger kids, who are often prone to losing one or both shoes), assuming they wear the same shoes most days. And of course, if the shoes are wet, you wouldn't want to go traipsing through the house with them. But with such a tight space in the entryway, if it were me, I would nix trying to store shoes there and, alternatively, assign a designated spot in each of the kids' rooms for their shoes, so they'll always know where to find them. If they're wet and muddy from the weather, they could perhaps go on the porch for just a bit until they're dry (of course, that's a whole nother storage/organization/decor issue!). But otherwise, a designed spot in their room might be the next-best option so that the entryway is not overwhelmingly cluttered and claustrophobic-feeling. If you can do that, then just enough hooks for the coats, plus some storage in the stairs, and maybe a mirror above the hooks, plus a cute rug to catch the dirt, might be all you need to do the trick.

I hope you'll share a follow-up post to show us what you ended up doing. Good luck! :)

Dee · Answer

What is behind the wall under the floor where the railing is? My nephew had the same problem and a contractor cut open the whole wall and put a sliding (2( doors that can open on either side. A rod was put in (2) installed from back to front for hanging coats facing you and shelves made between the 2 by 4 posts you only need 10' deep to do this.

Kim Koster Hruba · Answer

Thank you, everyone, for your creative ideas. It helps to get so many different thoughts on the same space and most of the ideas were things I hadn't thought or seen yet. I posted a response to each of your comments. The attention to my dilemma really is appreciated, so thank you again! I will keep you posted as we progress through the updates.

Debi53 · Answer

It's an acquired skill. haha! My mother used to say she might have to bring a shovel when she came to visit. Now my friends say I'm the most organized person they know. It's a learn as you go thing.

Alex R Cross · Answer

Our house is exactly like this, and we haven't found any really nice ideas. With a big family, shoe storage is essential, so we put shoe cubbies  on the wall behind the door. It's not the most attractive fix, but it keeps them organized and off the floor.

Amir Hyman · Answer

There are a few storage solutions that might work well for a split-level entryway:

A set of shelves or a console table: Shelves or a console table can provide storage space for items such as shoes, bags, and jackets, while also serving as a surface for décor or a place to set keys and other small items.
A bench with built-in storage: A bench with built-in storage can provide a place to sit while also offering space to store shoes, bags, and other items.
A shoe rack: A shoe rack can help to keep shoes organized and off the floor, freeing up space in the entryway.
A coat rack or hooks: A coat rack or hooks can provide a place to hang jackets, bags, and other items, keeping them off the floor and out of the way.
A small storage cabinet: A small storage cabinet can provide additional storage space for items such as hats, gloves, and scarves.

Remember to choose a storage solution that fits the size and style of your entryway and that meets your storage needs.

Mogie · Answer

Hang a coat rack that is not too deep on the wall behind the door (behind the door when it is open).

Consider using the back of the door for some sort of storage. Perhaps a shoe organizer they can hold almost any small items.

How tall is the ceiling?

Is there any space over the door that can be used?

You could utilize the space to the left of the door. I know it is narrow but it is better then nothing. Hooks could hold scarfs, gloves, purses, and sweaters.

What is a good Storage solution for a split-level entryway?

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What is a good Storage solution for a split-level entryway?

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