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Turn Your Hallway into the Family Launch Pad
Transform your home's entrance into a highly organised zone, that will help to simplify morning rush hour for your family
Anyone who has a busy family household knows how chaotic the hallway can become if there isn’t any dedicated storage for all those daily essentials. Often the shoes that are kicked off, or the school bags that are casually abandoned, can be difficult to locate the next morning when it’s time to leave in a rush.
Whether your hallway is a tight squeeze or you’re lucky enough to have generous proportions, take some hints from these inspirational homes from around the US, where they’ve nailed mud rooms and other innovative entry ideas that will simplify and declutter your entrance, and transform it into a dedicated transition zone.
Whether your hallway is a tight squeeze or you’re lucky enough to have generous proportions, take some hints from these inspirational homes from around the US, where they’ve nailed mud rooms and other innovative entry ideas that will simplify and declutter your entrance, and transform it into a dedicated transition zone.
Colour coding each family member’s cubby hole is a great way of identifying items at a glance, and adds a playful character to the hallway.
Sports gear can take up loads of space but it can also need careful storage to protect it from getting damaged.
Get hooked on creative hanging storage
Get hooked on creative hanging storage
A place for knick-knacks
Do you drop your keys or mail on the first surface you find? It’s unlikely you’ll change your habits so provide a table close to the door that either has drawers or a simple bowl where you can toss the contents of your pockets. Just make sure you don’t tempt thieves by leaving keys on show through a window.
In this hallway, a shoe tray is a great device for containing muddy or sandy shoes.
Do you drop your keys or mail on the first surface you find? It’s unlikely you’ll change your habits so provide a table close to the door that either has drawers or a simple bowl where you can toss the contents of your pockets. Just make sure you don’t tempt thieves by leaving keys on show through a window.
In this hallway, a shoe tray is a great device for containing muddy or sandy shoes.
Create a makeup station just before you leave the house, with smart storage boxes disguising mascara or lipstick; hang a mirror above for convenience.
Create the perfect space for your morning ritual
Create the perfect space for your morning ritual
If your home favours an eclectic style, your hallway launch pad can still embrace some character and doesn’t have to be utilitarian to work. It can be just as functional if you choose to organise all your knick-knacks into exotic baskets or vintage boxes.
A simple shelf that’s fitted at waist height along the length of the hallway will provide extensive storage for everyday items, such as mail, keys, books and lunch boxes. Provide boxes or bowls for smaller bits and bobs, and add hooks underneath for jackets and bags.
Bespoke storage
Take time to think about your family’s needs and everyone’s daily routines, then design storage that will organise all your activities into clear and orderly zones. Dog leads can have their own hooks, bicycle helmets can get a devoted basket, and you could even have a drawer for last-minute greeting cards that you’ve forgotten to write. It’s all about identifying your needs and prioritising the space.
Take time to think about your family’s needs and everyone’s daily routines, then design storage that will organise all your activities into clear and orderly zones. Dog leads can have their own hooks, bicycle helmets can get a devoted basket, and you could even have a drawer for last-minute greeting cards that you’ve forgotten to write. It’s all about identifying your needs and prioritising the space.
These purpose-built alcoves create a smart and elegant effect as well as keeping clutter in check.
Bench seats that do double duty
Benches are invaluable in a hallway, particularly if you have children, as a seat gives them somewhere to put on shoes. But they can also become a useful ‘meeting point’ to get the family out the door in a calm manner. Build a bench with deep storage drawers underneath, and you have the ideal spot for heavy school or sports bags.
Ways to combine storage with seating
Benches are invaluable in a hallway, particularly if you have children, as a seat gives them somewhere to put on shoes. But they can also become a useful ‘meeting point’ to get the family out the door in a calm manner. Build a bench with deep storage drawers underneath, and you have the ideal spot for heavy school or sports bags.
Ways to combine storage with seating
A low fitted shelf can also double as a handy bench, and a few wire baskets underneath add convenient shoe storage.
Household hub
What better way of keeping on top of your family’s weekly schedule than by creating a central hub that includes a calendar, noticeboard, notepad and plenty of pens. Have a dedicated spot on the board for important contact numbers so children can find them at a glance.
You could also dedicate a drawer to envelopes and stamps for mail going out. Give all those everyday essentials a specific home and you’ll rid your hall of annoying clutter.
What better way of keeping on top of your family’s weekly schedule than by creating a central hub that includes a calendar, noticeboard, notepad and plenty of pens. Have a dedicated spot on the board for important contact numbers so children can find them at a glance.
You could also dedicate a drawer to envelopes and stamps for mail going out. Give all those everyday essentials a specific home and you’ll rid your hall of annoying clutter.
Banish piles of unsightly mail and get on top of your bills as soon as they drop through your letter box with a super-organised filing system next to the door. You can even place a bin underneath to instantly chuck the junk.
Create a shopping list board that everyone can add to. Paint a wall in the hallway with blackboard paint, leave a box of chalk below and you’ll always have a reminder when you’ve run out of milk.
YOUR SAY
Why design ideas would you like to borrow from American homes? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
MORE
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YOUR SAY
Why design ideas would you like to borrow from American homes? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
MORE
Transform Your Home’s Entrance from Daggy to Dazzlingly in Just One Week
Designs for Living: Entrances Set Up To Serve You
Clean Living: Declutter Your Way to a Minimalist Home in 7 Easy Steps
Little ones (and some big ones) will love the novelty of having their own dedicated coat hook, shoe basket and even noticeboard where they can leave reminders for the following morning. An organised hallway that mirrors a school corridor will encourage the kids to hang up their belongings and take the stress out of the morning routine.