How to Make Your Entryway Storage Look Nicer – 6 Simple Tricks From Designers to Turn Your Hard-Working Pieces Into a Design Moment
Transform your everyday with an entryway that's stylish, functional, and completely fuss-free
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Entryways are practical spaces; they need to wear a lot of hats and balance both looking chic and welcoming guests into your home, and being able to store all the things you throw at it. So you want your entryway storage to look nice as well as do the job.
A room that's one of the most seen (and used), adding clever entryway storage is one thing, but ensuring it's stylish and seamless is a whole other. Put together by designers who have nailed the artful (often tricky) balance of style and function, these six simple tips will transform your entryway into a space that works hard every day, not to mention, one you'll want to linger a little longer in.
1. Turn Entryway Storage Into a Feature With Paint
This entryway, designed by Lonika Chande, features a yellow cupboard that houses coats, shoes, and other daily essentials.
In this entryway designed by Lonika Chande, a yellow-painted cabinet holds an entire family's daily essentials. Injecting life into the pass through space, the hero piece becomes more than practical, adding to the cheerful feel of the design.
'The starting point for this storage piece was the reality of busy daily life in London – coats, shoes, bags, and umbrellas!' explains Lonika. 'We wanted the space to work hard, but to do so with warmth and character. We mixed built-in storage with this freestanding yellow cupboard, as our client wanted something that created a little wow, the moment you step inside.'
A fun way to embrace color trends for 2026, covering your storage in an on-trend paint color will bring vibrancy to your space without overwhelming it, transforming mundane storage into a design moment designed to be enjoyed.
Lonika suggests looking at your pass through space with the same lens as any other room. 'By treating them as you would a naturally softer room, like a sitting room or a bedroom. Color and hardware give pieces presence and personality, while fabric and upholstery add warmth and softness.'
2. Opt for a Seamless, Smart Storage Solution
A smart storage unit holds hats, scarves, and bags in the entryway of this Copenhagen apartment.
Making storage central to your design will ensure that even small entryways feel enjoyable to use and masterfully accomplished.
The hidden storage in this apartment's entrance proves that function and style work side by side. Stig Lommer Bagger, founder of smart furniture brand Quirky Mousse, explains, 'The inspiration came from the narrow – yet often long – entryways found in many small Copenhagen apartments. In these spaces, storage needs to work hard without visually or physically taking over the room. The idea was to use the walls efficiently, keeping the floor as free as possible, and to introduce storage that feels slim, calm, and well-proportioned. By working vertically and keeping the expression light, the entryway remains functional while still feeling open and welcoming.'
Stig continues, 'Practicality comes from understanding everyday use and working with the space's architecture. In narrow entryways, wall-mounted solutions are key, as they free up floor space and improve circulation. A combination of open storage for frequently used items and closed storage placed higher up works well, allowing the space to stay organized without feeling cluttered. Keeping storage off the floor also makes the entryway easier to clean and visually calmer.
He adds, 'When proportions are carefully considered, and materials are kept consistent, even simple storage solutions can feel intentional. In entryways especially, elevating everyday items – by mounting them on the wall or grouping them thoughtfully – helps turn practical necessities into calm, understated design features.'
3. Add Seating Into Your Entryway Storage
The perfect vignette for contemplation, this entryway comes to life through intentional styling and a serene paint color.
Whether it's a simple storage bench or a built-in seat for guests to use as they arrive and leave, adding some form of seating will make your entryway storage feel intentional (not to mention multi-functional), becoming an area that's worth lingering in.
When designing her entryway, Jenn Lake, Founder of the Style Charade, explains that her main goal was to create a fuss-free, serene environment for guests to enjoy. 'Our home is situated on a serene Wisconsin lake, so the waterfront view always proves to be the best inspiration. The serene blue of our custom cabinetry proved to be the perfect starting point. Ultimately, we wanted to create a beautiful drop zone for seamless entry and exits to our home. The entryway offers a calm, engaging first impression that makes guests feel comfortable.'
Of course, organizing an entryway will create a peaceful atmosphere free from chaos, but equally, designing a space that accommodates (without compromising aesthetics) will give you a room you can forever rely on. Jenn says, 'One of the best ways to make an entryway practical is by evaluating the needs of both your family and potential guests. Since we live in the Midwest, we understand storage requirements shift depending on the season. One minute we're dealing with rain and thunderstorms, and the next it's sleet and snow. Therefore, we've organized the space to accommodate seasonal needs, with each closet dedicated to spring, summer, winter, and fall items.'
Jenn adds, 'We also make sure to leave room for guests' items and invest in extra accessories should they forget or need an item to make their experience even more comfortable. Another key component is our small seating areas that make it easier to take off or put on shoes.'
4. Color-Drench for Coziness
A terracotta red paint color enriches this narrow entryway, transforming it into a room you enjoy using.
In this apartment entryway that edges on the smaller side, interior designer Carlos Garcia used an earthy color to bring warmth and life into the space. He explains, 'The property is a small flat Arts and Crafts flat in a conservation area in London. The hall in the picture is a back entrance, from the garden and allotments. Being a small flat, storage was crucial, and so, even small spaces like a back hall need storage.'
Using a warm entryway color that falls somewhere between terracotta and red, the space feels inviting, cozy, and intentional. Layering baskets, hooks, and shelving, the room becomes the perfect balance of stylish and functional. Carlos adds, 'Achieving a balance between aesthetics and practicality is crucial. There must be a place to leave your keys, a seat to put your shoes on, a rug to make you feel welcome, a space to leave your umbrellas and hooks to hang your coats. If the door needs it, a door curtain will soften the space and will make it feel warmer.'
5. Organize Cupboards So They Have One Sole Purpose
Trevor Fulmer created a dedicated shoe cupboard in this entryway to house a family's never-ending collection of footwear.
Meticulously organizing your entryway storage will ensure your space looks (and feels) fuss-free and serene. Interior designer Trevor Fulmer created a dedicated shoe cupboard in a recent entryway project. By creating a space for 'one sole thing', the design instantly feels more refined and look nicer too.
He explains, 'This home operates as a shoe-free household. The homeowners have a large shoe collection, so storage needed to be generous, functional, and easy to maintain. The mudroom was designed with clear zones for arrival, shoe removal, and storage. Custom cabinetry was used to maximize vertical storage, keep each pair organized, and maintain clear circulation/movement through the space. Treating the shoe cabinet as the room’s feature helped the space stay organized while reflecting the homeowner's style.'
6. Layer Vintage Touches for Character
While a gray paint adds depth and warmth to this space, the vintage details make this entryway feel even more homely and inviting.
Layering characterful pieces in your entryway will give it personality and an instantly more homely feel.
HÁM Interiors decorated with vintage in this cozy entrance, adding antique storage canisters and other lived-in details. Tom Cox of HÁM says, 'It’s about balancing the utilitarian elements with pieces that have a bit of character. If everything’s built in, a hallway can start to feel overly fitted, so we like to break it up and make space for more decorative layers — a lamp, an antique piece, a bit of artwork. Those collected touches are what make the space feel intentional and properly lived-in.'
Tom adds, 'This is a hard-working part of the house, so it was important to start with what the room needs to handle day to day — muddy boots, coats, dogs — and what you actually want on show. Properly built-in joinery makes all the difference, but we kept it feeling relaxed by breaking it up with simple, usable elements: hooks for everyday coats and a bench with baskets so you can sit down and deal with your shoes.'
Shop Hard-Working Entryway Storage
From coat racks to consoles, these 9 picks will transform your entryway into an organized oasis that balances style with utmost practicality, making everyday a little easier.
Perfect for guests to sit as well as store unsightly essentials, Quince's storage bench will slot right into any space, regardless of its size.
Midcentury in shape, the Tate coat tree is simple but effective; it can fit in a corner and hang everything, from bags to hats and coats.
Perfect for filling out shelving or propping beneath a console, the Alford baskets couldn't be more charming.
Sleek in shape, this mid-century inspired console is masterfully chic. Fitted with an underneath ledge, it'll keep your go-to shoes or trinkets out of the way.
A handy piece for storing keys or smaller trinkets, Anthropologie's tray top table will cheer up an empty corner in an instant.
Stylish and practical, this pleated ottoman couldn't be a better choice for an entryway. Use it to store scarves, hats, or dog toys and keep it in pride of place.
No entryway is complete without somewhere to store coats. While you might not have room for a built-in, these brass hooks will blend into even the tiniest of entryways.
A simple but necessary addition to an entryway, this ceramic umbrella stand will keep your wet umbrellas out of sight but always near to hand.
Inject some color into your entryway with this blush pink ledge designed by Mustard Made. Perfect for storing keys or other go-to essentials, it'll uplift everyday moments.
These spaces prove that a truly good entryway blends necessity with style. By always considering what you need in an entryway and remaining sympathetic to your proportions as well as interior design style, you'll have a space that ticks every box and leaves you feeling ready to start or end your day.
