Better Homes And Gardens Entryway Organizer Coatrack

Entryway Organizer

Guess what this entryway organizer started as? A bookcase! This amazing solution fits in even the smallest of entryway spaces and provides phenomenal storage. Watch and learn how you can recreate the storage system at home.

Does your entryway need a storage boost? Look no further than this easy bookcase hack. Simply find a bookcase that fits your space, and customize it to fit your needs.

We'll show you how to store shoes, jackets, seasonal items, and much more. Our bookcase design fits the needs of a family of four or five, but for a larger version, consider aligning multiple bookcases in a row.

DIY entryway shelves bins whiteboard

Before you choose a bookcase, make sure it has removable shelves. Differentiating each shelf's height is how you'll create multiple storage zones. If you're using an older bookcase, consider sanding the surface and updating the finish with your favorite paint or stain color before you organize.

Keep Shoes in Line

close-up painted shoe tread shoe shelf

Banish that unsightly pile of shoes from the front door. Instead, create specialized nooks for your entire family's footwear. For low-top shoes, such as flats and sneakers, place three or four shelves close together. For high-top shoes, such as boots, remove a few shelves to create a larger area. If you plan to store snow or rain boots in the cubby, considering investing in a waterproof mat. This will protect the bookcase's surface from water damage. If you're feeling crafty, stamp boot-size footprints on the mat so you always know where your favorite kicks are supposed to go.

Add Hooks for Jackets and Bags

Bag hanging on hook 6

No coat rack? No problem. Create your own by removing upper shelves from the bookcase. Then install heavy-duty hooks—one per family member should suffice, plus one for guests. Dress up this organizational area with a stenciled design, paint, or contact paper. We carried our pattern throughout the entire bookcase, but you can still make an impact by dressing up this one section. Just make sure to add any treatments before attaching the hooks.

Make Room for Tiny Must-Haves

cookie sheet organizer metal dividers

Don't spend another morning frantically searching for your keys. Create a home for small trinkets with a metal tray or cookie sheet. Sturdy cupcake liners and tart pans create individual spaces to hold important items that are easy to grab on your way out the door. Stash keys, sunglasses, prescription cases, watches, and other easy-to-forget must-haves in the tray, then slide it between two shelves that are placed close together.

Use Baskets for Seasonal Items

mom's wicker bin entryway storage

Seasonal items can be hard to store. There's no perfect spot to stash items such as scarves, hats, gloves, sunscreen, and beach towels that you only bring out once a year. If you opt to keep these items in the entryway, disguise them in pretty baskets perched on the top shelf of your bookcase. Labels for each season or family member make it easy to find exactly what you're looking for.

Jot Down a Memo

metal sifter marker storage

It's happened to the best of us. We've gotten halfway to our destination only to remember that our lunch, briefcase, or important document is still sitting on the counter at home. Prevent these mishaps with a memo board. Simply hang a dry-erase board or chalkboard next to your bookcase and add a cute container—like our repurposed metal sifter—to hold writing utensils and an eraser. A pretty frame elevates the look of the grade-school staple.