Our Tiny Entryway Storage System for 5 People (It’s Organized Clutter)

Our Tiny Entryway Storage System for 5 People (It’s Organized Clutter)

Let me be honest: our entryway is not Pinterest-perfect. It’s small, narrow, and houses stuff for 5 people—coats, shoes, backpacks, hats, gloves, scarves. In winter, it’s chaos.

When we moved into this rental, the entryway came with… nothing. No closet, no hooks, no storage. Just a narrow hallway with the powder room on the right, the garage door on the left, and the stairs ahead. Maybe 6 feet of usable wall space.

For a family of 5, this is a problem. Where do 10+ coats go? 15+ pairs of shoes? 3 school bags? Winter gear for everyone?

Over the years, I’ve built a system. Is it beautiful? No. Does it work? Mostly. Do I still reorganize it constantly? Yes. Does it drive me crazy? Absolutely—but it’s functionally organized clutter, and the kids know where everything goes.

Total investment: ~$240 (IKEA shoe cabinet, storage bench, JYSK shelf, hook board). Could I use a massive entryway closet? 100%. Do I have that? No. So here’s what I did instead.

Check out my other rental solutions: [decluttering tips], [organizing systems].

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My Entryway Reality

My Tiny Entryway Challenge

The space:

• Small, narrow hallway
• Powder room door on the right (can’t block it)
• Garage door on the left (high-traffic zone)
• Stairs straight ahead
• About 6 feet of usable wall space
• Zero built-in storage (no closet, no hooks, nothing)

What we’re storing:

• 5 people’s coats (10+ coats in winter when you count light jackets + heavy coats)
• 15+ pairs of shoes (kids grow fast, always multiple sizes in rotation)
• 3 school backpacks (can’t hang on hooks—tried, they fell)
• Winter gear: hats, gloves, scarves for everyone
• Random stuff: dog leashes, reusable shopping bags, umbrellas

The problems:

• Not enough space for everything
• High traffic (everyone comes through here multiple times daily)
• Kids drop stuff everywhere if there’s no designated spot
• Winter = 3x more stuff (boots, snow pants, heavy coats, gear)

What I couldn’t do:

• Add a closet (rental, major construction)
• Expand the space (it is what it is)
• Keep it minimalist (family of 5 with Canadian winters—not realistic)

What I COULD do:

• Maximize vertical wall space
• Use furniture that doubles as storage
• Create designated spots for each person’s stuff
• Accept “organized clutter” as good enough

My goal: A system where kids can find their own stuff and (mostly) put it away. Not perfection—just functional.

My Entryway Storage System

And let’s not forget about the floor! A rug can add a cozy, homey feel to your entryway. It’s also a great way to introduce colour, pattern, and texture into the space. ### What I Actually Installed (Over Time)

This didn’t happen all at once. I added pieces as I realized what we needed and what fit in the space.

PIECE #1: IKEA GULLABERG Shoe Cabinet

What it is:
– 4-compartment shoe cabinet, white
– Size: 105x22x107 cm (narrow depth—key for small entryway)
– Cost: $179
– Where: IKEA
– When: 2019

Why it works:
– Narrow (only 22 cm deep) so it doesn’t block the hallway
– Holds about 12-16 pairs of shoes, depending on size
– Keeps shoes out of sight (closed cabinet vs. open shelves)
– Top surface = space for keys, mail

What it DOESN’T do:
– Doesn’t hold ALL our shoes (we have 15+ pairs)
– Overflow shoes go in the garage or the kids’ rooms
– Kids’ boots (bulky winter boots) don’t fit—those go on a tray by the door

5+ years later:
Still using it. Scratched and beat up, but functional. Would buy again.

PIECE #2: Brown Leather Storage Bench

What it is:
– Storage bench with lift-up seat
– Hand-me-down from my mother-in-law (free!)
– Holds: Winter gear, extra gloves, dog stuff

Why it works:
– Doubles as seating (putting shoes on)
– Hidden storage inside for seasonal items
– Currently houses: school backpacks (they won’t hang on hooks)
– Kids sit here to put on/take off shoes

What it DOESN’T do:
– Doesn’t fit everything (limited space inside)
– Not pretty (beat-up brown leather) but functional

Current use:
Backpack dumping ground because Command hooks failed (more on that later).

PIECE #3: JYSK DINA Cubed Shelf Unit

What it is:
– 6-bin cube organizer (64 x 76 x 37 cm)
– Pull-out fabric bins
– Cost: Can’t remember exactly, ~$50-70?
– Where: JYSK
– When: 2020

What’s in the bins:
– Bin 1: My hats, gloves
– Bin 2: Husband’s hats, gloves
– Bin 3: Kid 1’s winter gear
– Bin 4: Kid 2’s winter gear
– Bin 5: Kid 3’s winter gear
– Bin 6: Scarves, miscellaneous

Why it works:
– Each kid has their own bin (they know where their stuff goes)
– Pull-out bins = easy access
– Sits against the wall, doesn’t block traffic

What drives me crazy:
– Bins get messy FAST (kids shove stuff in)
– Have to reorganize every few weeks
– Not enough bins (need one for dog stuff, one for bags, etc.)

Current status:
Still using it. Reorganize constantly. It’s fine. Not great, just fine.

PIECE #4: 8-Hook Board

What it is:
– Wall-mounted hook board, 8 hooks
– Cost: ~$29
– Where: HomeSense
– When: 2021

What hangs on it:
– Light jackets (spring/fall)
– Some winter coats (the lighter ones)
– Dog leashes
– Reusable shopping bags

What it DOESN’T hold:
– Heavy winter coats (too heavy, hooks sag)
– School backpacks (tried Command hooks below, they fell off)

Current status:
Overloaded. Works but looks cluttered. Would add more hooks if I had wall space (I don’t).

Total invested:
– IKEA shoe cabinet: $179
– Storage bench: Free (hand-me-down)
– JYSK shelf: ~$60 estimate
– Hook board: $29
Total: ~$268 (or ~$240 if JYSK was cheaper than I remember)

What this system does:
– Keeps 70% of our stuff organized
– Kids know where their things go (mostly follow the system)
– Everything has a designated spot

What this system DOESN’T do:
– Look beautiful (it’s cluttered and cramped)
– Hold everything (overflow goes in garage, bedrooms, or gets purged seasonally)
– Stay organized without constant maintenance (I reorganize every 2-3 weeks)

My Mistakes

The 3 Entryway Mistakes I Made

Mistake #1: Command hooks for school backpacks

What I tried: Command hooks on the wall to hang backpacks (thought it would free up floor space).

What happened:

• Used “heavy-duty” Command hooks rated for 7.5 lbs
• Backpacks are heavier when full (books, laptops, water bottles)
• Hooks fell off within 2 weeks
• Tried again with MORE hooks = still fell

Current solution: Backpacks live on the storage bench. Not ideal (takes up seating space), but it works.

Lesson: Command hooks can’t handle daily use with heavy items. Save them for lightweight decor.

Mistake #2: Thinking I could keep it minimalist

My fantasy: A Mudroom or a calm, minimal entryway with 2 coats per person max.

Reality: Canadian winters. Kids need: a light jacket, a medium coat, a heavy winter coat, snow pants, multiple pairs of gloves (they lose them constantly), hats, scarves.

What I learned: Accept the clutter. Build systems to ORGANIZE the clutter, not eliminate it (because it’s not going anywhere).

Mistake #3: Not planning for seasonal swaps

The problem: In summer, we don’t need bins for winter gear. In winter, we don’t need space for sandals.

What I didn’t do: Create a seasonal swap system (store off-season stuff elsewhere, rotate bins).

What happens: Everything stays in the entryway year-round = always overcrowded.

What I’m trying now: Swap out bins seasonally (summer: store winter gear in the basement, free up space for outdoor toys, sports equipment).

How The System Actually Works

Daily Reality: Organized Chaos

What “organized clutter” looks like:

Morning routine:

• Kids grab backpacks from bench
• Grab coats from the hooks
• Grab shoes from the IKEA cabinet (or the pile by the door if they didn’t put them away)
• Out the door

After school:

• Backpacks dumped on the bench (supposed to go in their rooms, doesn’t always happen)
• Coats hung on hooks (mostly)
• Shoes kicked off (supposed to go in the cabinet, often end up in a pile)

My role:

• Reorganize bins every 2-3 weeks (kids shove stuff in randomly)
• Purge lost gloves, outgrown shoes, broken umbrellas monthly
• Nag kids to put shoes IN the cabinet, not beside it

Does it work? 70% of the time, yes. The system is there. Kids know it. They follow it… mostly.

Does it drive me crazy? Yes. I hate clutter. But it’s ORGANIZED clutter. Everything has a place. That’s good enough for now.

The dream: A massive coat closet right at the entrance. Or a hall tree in the garage. But I don’t have that. So this is what works.

Small Entryway Storage Tips

What I Learned Managing a Tiny Entryway for 5 People

Tip #1: Go vertical. Limited floor space? Use walls. Hooks, wall-mounted cabinets, tall, narrow furniture (like the IKEA shoe cabinet).

Tip #2: Furniture that multitasks. Storage bench = seating + storage. Shoe cabinet = storage + surface for keys/mail.

Tip #3: Assign zones for each person. Each kid has their own bin. They know which one is theirs. Reduces fighting and “I can’t find my gloves” meltdowns.

Tip #4: Accept “good enough”. It’s not going to look like a magazine. That’s okay. Functional > beautiful when you have kids.

Tip #5: Purge seasonally. Every few months, go through the bins and the shoe cabinet. Trash broken stuff, donate outgrown items, reclaim space.

Tip #6: Don’t rely on Command hooks for heavy daily-use items. They fall. Use them for lightweight decor only.

Tip #7: Keep reorganizing. It’s not “set it and forget it.” Systems need maintenance. I reorganize every 2-3 weeks. It’s just part of life.

More Small Space Solutions:

• How I Decluttered My Kitchen Counters
• Decluttering Tips Before Moving
• Tech Clutter Management
• Small Apartment Big Style

Light: Setting the Mood

Lighting: What I Wish I Could Change

What came with the rental: One ceiling light fixture. Builder-grade, basic, provides light but zero style.

The problem: Our narrow entryway is dark. The single overhead light casts shadows, and it’s the first thing you see when you walk in—boring and institutional.

What I want to do: Replace it with a statement pendant light or add wall sconces for ambiance.

Why I haven’t:

• Changing light fixtures = electrical work
• Our lease says no electrical modifications without approval
• Haven’t asked landlord yet (adding it to my someday list)

What I DID do (temporary lighting solution): We have no plugs in the entryway or hallway

Added two battery opearated sconce lights from Amazon

• Cost: $40 (Amazon)
• Battery operated
• Adds warm light when we come home in the evening
• Not a permanent solution, but it makes the space feel less harsh

Does it help? A little. The overhead light is still the primary source, but the lamp adds warmth.

My advice is, if you want better entryway lighting:

Option 1: Ask your landlord about swapping the light fixture

• Some landlords are fine with it if you save the original and reinstall it when you leave
• Worth asking

Option 2: Add plug-in lighting

• Table lamp
• Plug-in wall sconces (adhesive backing, no wiring needed), like I did
• String lights, if your style allows it

Option 3: Use brighter bulbs

• Swap the bulb in your existing fixture for a brighter/warmer temperature
• Costs $5, makes a noticeable difference

What I’ll do eventually: Ask the landlord if I can swap the ceiling fixture for a modern pendant. The worst they can say is no.

Conclusion

5+ Years Later: Still Reorganizing. I’m looking at my entryway right now. There are 3 backpacks on the bench, 4 pairs of shoes by the door (not IN the cabinet), and one glove on the floor (where’s the match? Who knows).

It drives me crazy. But the system is there. The IKEA shoe cabinet still works. The bins still hold winter gear. The hooks still hold coats (barely).

My advice is that if you have a tiny entryway with no closet, accept organized clutter. You’re not going to have a minimalist entryway with kids. Build a system, assign spots, and reorganize regularly. Invest in narrow, vertical storage (like the IKEA GULLABERG—best $179 I spent).

Don’t waste money on Command hooks for heavy items. They will fall. And give yourself grace. It’s not going to be perfect. It’s going to be functional chaos. And that’s okay.

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