I Organized My Narrow Entryway — These 6 Picks Make It Work
An entryway sets the tone for your home. It’s the first thing you see when you walk in and the last on your way out. After a few months of letting my entryway become a vortex of shoe piles, I decided I was sick of the mess. My grab-and-go essentials were always getting lost, and it didn’t help that I was greeted by chaos every time I entered my apartment.
So, I got out my measuring tape and put in the work to turn my four-foot-wide hallway into an organized space that maximizes storage and makes my life easier. I live in an NYC studio apartment, so every square inch matters, from the kitchen to the entryway. I’m sharing all the products I’ve used to transform my entryway from dead space into a functional foyer.
Space-saving retractable wall hooks
Remi Rosmarin
When it came to my entryway overhaul, wall hooks were at the top of my list. While I have a closet at the end of my entryway, I always end up draping jackets on the door handle or my desk chair. I knew I needed a place for frequently worn jackets and bags, and this mounted coat rack more than delivered.
I spent some time looking for different options, but when I saw this one at my friend’s apartment, I knew it was perfect. It’s sleek, with five sturdy metal hooks that can hold up to 25 pounds. The retractable hooks fold down when not in use, which is a plus in a small space. You will need a drill to mount it, but the process took less than 5 minutes, and I feel good knowing that the rack is very secure. I love having a designated spot to hang my jacket, bag, and hat. It makes leaving the house so much easier too, since my frequently-worn items are always out.
An expandable shoe rack
Remi Rosmarin
Since shoes were the main culprit of my entryway chaos, a shoe rack was essential. My entryway already has a small nook that’s perfect for storing shoes, but most regular shoe racks either didn’t fit the space or blocked the front door.
After measuring and confirming the dimensions were right, I found this simple expandable shoe rack on Amazon. It’s affordable, easy to put together, and can hold 6 to 12 pairs of shoes. It’s a great use of vertical space with three tiers. I appreciate that it’s expandable because I know I’ll be able to use it in other spaces in the future too.
If your space allows, a narrow shoe cabinet is also a great addition. It stores plenty of shoes and keeps them concealed for a more organized look, plus the top is a great landing place for small essentials and decorative items.
Trinket trays to keep essentials handy
Remi Rosmarin
As someone who has a tendency to misplace items, giving essentials their own trinket tray has been a game changer. My apartment has built-in shelves in the entryway, which is a really nice addition for storage, but things were always getting misplaced before I introduced the trays.
I always leave my keys and wallet in the same spot (or at least I try to) so I know where they are when I’m rushing out of the house. Keeping a designated tray for one item may seem a bit excessive, but it helps me stay organized. It also looks nice, so I added a few more trays to store more decorative items and other odds and ends. I have a surplus of trinket trays I’ve been gifted over the years, so I pulled a few of those out. If you’re looking to buy new, Anthropologie has a lot of cute options.
Soft storage baskets that keep the mess concealed
Remi Rosmarin
These fabric storage bins from The Container Store have been with me in five apartments, from New York City to Los Angeles and back. They are that good. Since the bins are made of cotton, they’re durable but simultaneously really soft and malleable. This combination makes them much more versatile than wicker bins — they can be squeezed into tighter spaces, and you never have to worry about the bins snagging your clothes.
The small Laguna bin has become my purse bowl — a TikTok-viral concept where you dump the contents of your purse into a bowl at the end of the day, so the next day, when you use a new bag, you have everything easily accessible to refill. This concept has, perhaps, changed my life, and this bin is the perfect vessel. At just over 4 inches high, it fits plenty of grab-and-go items, and the fabric conceals the mess, making things look much less cluttered.
A mirror to brighten the space and get last looks
Remi Rosmarin
Too much beige wall space was making the already narrow hallway feel drab, so I added a wall mirror to my entryway. A wall mirror was an easy choice. Not only does it add some dimension and brightness to the already small space, but it’s so helpful for last looks before you leave the house.
While I used a wall mirror that I already owned, you can also find many mirrors with hooks or shelves for added function. This one from the West Elm x Emma Chamberlain collection is so fun and functional, thanks to the added storage. It plays triple duty as a mirror, wall shelf, and hooks.
Floating shelves that make use of vertical space
Remi Rosmarin
While my apartment has two shelves built right into the entryway, you don’t need pre-existing shelving to get this look. Floating shelves are an affordable, rental-friendly upgrade that gives your wall space a purpose. These shelves are easy to install and mount for added durability.
If you’re worried about putting holes in the wall, go for a Command adhesive ledge, which can hold up to 5 pounds.
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