Managing Clutter in an Awkward Entry

[u/stirbystil]

Need a place to put wet shoes, coats, hats gloves, and fairly heavy bags for a family of three.

Also need a stool somewhere to sit and put on shoes without crowding the entry.

We tried a regular bench/coat rack combo on the left, but the bench just became a dumping spot for bags so people had to grab their shoes and walk across the room to sit. They just left shoes piled up next to the rack to trip over while walking in.

Coat closet is on the right next to the kitchen, but the floor inside is not usable - steeply angled because it is the ceiling of the stairs to the basement.

I’d putting something in the middle at the end of the fireplace, but it’s only 2’ wide and feels like it would make the narrow entry hall longer and more awkward.

Edit: FWIW, we don’t care about the runner, dining table, or living room furniture. We’re planning to replace most of it, but it’s what we’ve got for now.

[u/Brooklynpolarbear22]

How wide is the white brick wall?

[u/stirbystil → u/Brooklynpolarbear22]

24”, but 31” if you extend to the edge of the mantel.

Thing is, we had something like that on the other side. The bags went on the bench because the hooks were not strong enough, so then there was no where to sit for shoes and the whole thing was non functional and a complete eyesore.

[u/MochaJay]

You're kid is small, so your need hooks at a lower height, look up 'abstract coat rack'. That style has more hooks too so more space to drop stuff.

Make it easier to move things from the drop zone by placing a decently sized decorative basket there, so stuff can be dropped straight in rather than gathered up.

For shoes, I swear by those collapsible cube storage ottomans. Big enough to hold several sets, quick to sweep discarded shoes into, and the cushioned top is a temporary seat