If you're fortunate enough to have a coat closet there for you when you walk into the house, that's great! But, what if you aren't so lucky? Or, what if it still doesn't accommodate what you need it for? Or, what if it's by the front door and you come in through the back door? Oy! Well, you can turn a once neglected span of vertical space into a fabulous area that will work for you where you need it to. Yes, I said vertical space, not something to take up more of your valuable horizontal space!
First, you'll want to determine the main point of entry into your home. Maybe it's through your garage, your laundry room, or a through a back door.
Next, find a wall that can be your blank canvas to play around with. It doesn't need to be huge. Perhaps it has a lone picture on it right now.
Then search through ideas on Pinterest and other sites of the same sort, and dream of what this space could look like...
Now, come down from the clouds! Those sites can be great for ideas, but only if they work for you. Practicality comes into play now. Would you like a place to sit and put on your shoes? Would you like a landing spot for quick pick up items like sunglasses, keys and your phone? How about a charging station? Perhaps you would like a spot for markerboards, chalkboards, and/or magnetic boards for notes. Now that you know what you would like, you can answer some questions that will help you determine what you need the space for.
Who
is this area for? Accommodate for each family member. The dog counts too!
What
do you have to work with? - Sure, there may be the coats, work bags, backpacks, umbrellas and shoes but think about other occasional items that may need a spot, like bags of returns to stores. You don't have any of those, right? *wink*
As an example, check out what I have done in my own home, which is pictured above! I have a nice sized coat closet, but wanted a spot for my pocketbook, my quick pick up items, and to check myself out before I left to make sure I look good for the day! I ended up with the perfect solution with a good deal on a mirror from a yard sale site and Trones, which are shoe cabinets from Ikea. The mirror has a little ledge which is perfect for my keys, phone and sunglasses. The Trones were an outside of the box discovery that I made on my semi-regular Ikea nights with my friend, Sara! I slipped my pocketbook in the display and it fit perfectly! Yes! The second (they come in packs of 3) has become more of a catchall and the third, I placed nearby going into my dining area to hold placemats, which also happened to fit perfectly as well!
So, how did you do with your questions? Now, you can safely go back to Pinterest for simple ideas that will fit your needs and space, or head to Ikea and explore. Maybe I'll see you there!
