I rarely use my front door. I only open it to collect the mail or a delivery of take-out. But our side door, that’s the door we really use (and the one that tells me we’re friends, because you know to use it, too). It’s closer to the garage and it opens into the kitchen—it just feels like the homier option.

The only downfall to the side door is there’s nothing close to an entryway or foyer (nor is there near the front door, visible in this post), so we’ve long struggled with what to do with the stuff you tend to want to be able to deposit near the door: keys, bags, shoes, etc.

If you struggle with this issue too, know that even a small amount of wall space can be transformed into a functional entryway. Start by identifying your pain points: Do you grapple with where to set your keys? Do you wish you had a place to sit to remove your intricately-laced boots?

We had two pain points: shoes and coats. We don’t wear shoes in the house, so the mat intended for wiping our shoes ended up becoming a spot to deposit them, creating a pile of shoes that was neither functional or visually appealing. Our coats get stored on the other side of the house—we don’t live in a mansion, so it’s not a huge deal to traverse the length of the house and hang them up, but if we knew we were going to be leaving again soon, storing and retrieving them was a minor annoyance.

The inconveniences we’d dealt with for years were fixed with minor, relatively inexpensive changes. I found a bench with shoe storage, that not only looks better than an overflowing mat-o’-shoes, but it also provides a place to sit. And we replaced a picture with a few hooks for coats and bags (use wall anchors if you plan to put heavier items on them). Simple, yet effective. Why did I wait so long?!

Once you’ve figured out what you need in your entryway, try using one or more of the following items to create a more functional space:

Hooks

Hooks provide a convenient spot for your coats and bags—and your guests' belongings too.

Tabletop

Whether you use a floating shelf or a narrow console table, having a small flat surface can provide a good home for keys, mail, and a knick-knack or two. And the space underneath it can be used as well—store a row of shoes or a couple of baskets.

Mirror

Mirrors help to define the space as an entryway—and prevent embarrassing "hey you have spinach in your teeth" moments.

Shoe Storage

Creating a spot to corral your shoes needn't take up a lot of space—the DIY shelves (above left) are so small they almost disappear when there aren't shoes on them, while the copper pipes (above right) are still minimal, but become more of a design feature.

Seating

A bench or a chair will not only provide a spot to take shoes on and off, they can also be a handy place for setting down bags and can often incorporate storage below them, too.

In the end, work with what you have: The pictures above demonstrate that even a narrow hallway or a staircase can be transformed into useful space.

Furnish your foyer: