Hallway storage ideas – 16 ways to eliminate clutter and turn your entryway into a neat and stylish space

Storage is one of the most important design elements of any room in the home - and the hallway is no exception. But it’s one of the trickiest spaces to incorporate storage into as more often than not, the entryway comes in all kinds of awkward and irregular shapes and dimensions. But with our simple yet clever hallway storage ideas, you’ll be able to store away all that that you need to.

Nobody’s perfect hallway idea is disorganised and filled with clutter – especially as this is the first glimpse of your home your guests get as soon as they walk through the door which sets the tone for the rest of your abode. So in order to avoid any messy views and instead replace them with neat and stylish features, let’s dive into our round-up of expert-approved hallway storage solutions.

Hallway storage ideas

Hallways can become a bit of a dumping ground as it’s the first room you enter when you get home and unload all that you were carrying and had on you. But to avoid your hallway becoming full of clutter, a regular declutter is called for.

‘Hallways are hard-working areas of the home, so you can help them out by not storing anything in the hallway that doesn’t need to be there,’ says Mel Carruthers, APDO's internal communications director and founder of More Organised.

That’s the perfect starting point when thinking about hallway storage – does this thing actually need to be stored in the hallway?

1. Utilise vertical space

Wall space is a precious resource for storage and yet, it often goes unnoticed – or at least underutilised. Which is especially criminal if you’re looking for small hallway storage ideas where floorspace is even more limited. So don’t make this common hallway storage mistake and use those walls.

‘Use the wall space for hooks and shelves to keep the floor area clear, making it appear bigger and also safer to use,’ says Amanda Biggs, APDO's membership director and founder of Professionally Organised.

2. Include storage baskets

Storage baskets are hands down one of the most stylish and easiest storage solutions to incorporate into any space – hallways included. They bring extra texture into the room and double as decor since they are so chic. But they are equally as aesthetically pleasing as they are practical.

‘Baskets are great for storing hats, scarves, umbrellas or gloves and these can be kept on a shelf above the pegs. You’ll never wonder where you put that pair of gloves again,’ Amanda at APDO and Professionally Organised says.

3. Turn cube storage into a bench

Turning an IKEA KALLAX storage unit into a bench is one of the easiest IKEA hacks out there – but also one of the most popular and useful which makes for the perfect hallway storage solution, as well as an IKEA playroom idea.

‘Add a storage bench by turning cube storage on its side to make a seating area that doubles up as a shelf for shoes, hats, scarves etc,’ Mel at APDO and More Organised says.

4. Clad your hallway with panelling

Give your hallway the feel of a dedicated boot room by using the same style of panelling on cupboard doors and walls. Wall panelling ideas are guaranteed to make the entrance of your home feel more premium and professionally designed.

A nifty hallway paint idea is to paint all the surfaces the same colour for a coordinated finish. Dark shades such as navy and grey are great at hiding the inevitable scuffs and marks that a hardworking area like this will always be subject to.

5. Go for bench seating

Creating a generous amount of space to stash shoes, plus somewhere to sit and put them on, smart bench seating is a win-win for a small hallway.

A built-in unit with drawers offers easy-to-access storage, or cheat it with a standard bench and baskets or boxes below (ideally on castors). Add seat pads for extra comfort and hang coat hooks above. And don't forget the all-important hallway lighting ideas - essential for dark mornings and evenings.

6. Upcycle IKEA drawers

Make your own stylish hallway console table and tackle clutter at the same
time with a clever IKEA hack.

Double stack IKEA Ekby Alex shelf units, and attach hairpin legs (try The Hairpin Leg Company) for a one-of-a-kind piece that offers space-efficient storage for the
things like car keys, spare change and post that often accumulate on a hallway surface. Mount a memo board above to keep you organised.

7. Make a display feel fashionable

Dress your hallway to impress with a fashionable open shelving unit to keep coats and shoes on display. 'Functional storage does not have to compromise your interior style,' says Kate Gibson, home buying manager at Habitat.

'On-trend rattan and wicker pieces offer practicality as well as a stylish, handcrafted appeal,' Kate adds, suggesting a style for storage baskets on display.

She then warns, 'Avoid an overcrowded hallway by only keeping the everyday essentials on display. Off-season items such as winter coats, scarves and gloves can be packed away in a storage trunk or lidded basket to keep mess to a minimum.'

8. Utilise space under the stairs

Smart under stairs storage ideas are the ultimate dream for hallway storage. Having bespoke storage cupboards built under the stairs uses the space underneath to maximise potential.

Cupboards helps to keep everything concealed, making the immediate entranceway feel streamlined and free of clutter – excellent if you're after storage solutions for your small hallway.

While this can be an expensive solution, we have seen fine examples of DIY jobs that make it happen on a budget. This couple quoted £1000 for under stair storage built their own – for just £175!

9. Make storage adaptable

Banish the build-up of household mess and maintain order with these easy-to-live-with storage solutions. Keep frequently used shoes and coats neatly displayed in a hallway.

'It’s easy to hang every coat in the hallway, and leave every pair of shoes by the door, but this soon ends up cluttered and untidy. I see it so often in the homes that I declutter and organise. So when you come in, think about when you might next use that jacket or pair of boots. Put them away in your wardrobe if they are not your every-day shoes and coats, and you’ll have less to store in your hall,' Mel at More Organised says.

Keep the storage out of the path of the front door, to keep a clear pathway. Leave just one jacket per person in the hallway and move out of season coats to a bedroom wardrobe. Keep your coat and shoe display to a minimum to stop it feeling too distracting from a neat and tidy entranceway.

10. Hang a handy hallway shelf with a mirror

Hallway storage ideas are not just reserved for shoes and coats. Where do you keep sunnies, lipsticks and even keys? Rather than have them on display on a sideboard or console table, give smaller items a dedicated storage space with a wall-mounted shelving unit.

This smart design from Cuckooland features a handy mirror to ensure you can carry out a quick hair, teeth or lipstick check before you dash out the front door.

11. Keep it simple and stylish

'The hallway is the first impression of your home. But keep it simple and don’t clutter. Start from everyday functions and think about how to make those functions elegant' suggests CMO at String Furniture, Bo Hellberg.

This practical unit matches the aesthetic of the bright and open hallway and will help to bounce light around the white hallway.

12. Keep the hall tidy with concealed storage units

Free up a hallway space from piles of discarded shoes by stowing them in a shallow unit, with doors to conceal them from view. Stored out of sight helps to minimise the impact they have on the surrounding space, essential to prevent a small hallway idea from feeling overwhelmed.

13. Opt for slim solutions

Calm the chaos of a busy hallway with slimline storage units. Create as spacious a feel as possible with unobtrusive furniture, then add boxes and baskets for bonus storage. Multi-functional furniture is the key to keeping a busy home entrance from chaos.

Look for timeless pieces with in-built storage. Wood tones will warm the space so that it feels like a treat to enter into your home after a long day.

14. Coordinate a colour theme

We're all no strangers to keeping a colour scheme consistent in any given room of our homes, whether that's a bedroom or bathroom. So why not apply the same principle to your hallway storage area?

As above, you can also play with different hues of the same colour, from a calming mint all the way through to a trendy pastel pink for a cohesive feel in your hallway.

15. Keep storage open

We realise this might not be a good option for the hoarders among us. But on the other hand, it will encourage you to keep your space organised and pristine.

In fact, you’ll find it easier and faster to find things if you are in a rush to get out of the front door. The open-plan approach does require a tidy nature though. And try not to fill hangers to bursting, or your hallway will quickly descend into chaos.

16. Squeeze in a console

Need a table but working with a narrow hallway that lacks floor space? A compact console could be the answer. When space is tight, shoehorning in a large desk or storage solution for small spaces will only make your room appear smaller.

An unobtrusive console can do the job of any of the above without taking up as much floor space. A streamlined console is perfect for a narrow hallway and will serve as a handy spot to put down the post when you come through the front door.

FAQ

How do you build storage in a hallway?

Build storage in a hallway to make the most of every inch of useable space. Whether that's utilising the space under the stairs, wall-mounting solutions to free up floor space or seeking modular furniture that can be adapted to your needs – storage in any hall has to be smart.

'A hallway is a part of your home with a lot of traffic, meaning floor space is in scarce supply. But it’s also the first impression of your home, so you really shouldn’t skimp on style or interior design,' advises CMO at String Furniture, Bo Hellberg.

'There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to hallways. Which is why String is a good option, with all its flexible options,' Bo goes on to suggest.

'And it’s modular, meaning you can add more or change it around at any time. Generally speaking, in a narrow hallway you should make use of the height and wall spaces as much as possible. But if you have space under the stairs you could design an almost extra small room, with a desk, cabinets and shelves.'

Whether you incorporate one or more solutions from this list of hallway storage ideas, we’re sure your hallway will look and function all the better for it.