Hooks for backpacks will garner you marks on your wall. Ask me how I know :) Do you really a need a full entrance system at the front door? If they're using the backpacks some place else, why not put it there or closer to where they end up? I love what you have now, it looks good.

Don't you have a window seat right off your peninsula where the kids do homework? Is there storage inside or can it be converted to hold backpacks?

I have hooks by the front door for jackets and dog leashes. For backpacks I bought a large metal basket (from Hobby Lobby) that I keep next to a table where homework normally occurs. The only time that backpacks are not in the basket is when they are using them. School library books are stacked on a table when not in use. I am looking for the right basket still for public library books.

Next on my list is to get an over-the-door shoe organizer for the coat closet. This is where I will put gloves, sunglasses, snow hats, etc. I had them in a basket for a while but everyone digging for their own wasted time and made a mess. Random prizes go to their room until they go to the trash. Papers that need my signature/viewing are placed on my desk so I can look at them when I am ready and then go immediately into their backpacks.

Thanks! Robb333, good point about the scuff marks. Okay, scratch that idea.

Mayflowers, I do have a peninsula with window seat in the kitchen - I'm flattered you remember :) The window seat is flanked on each side a very large/deep base cabinet and large drawer, where I already keep their homework accessories. They do keep most of their stuff there, like books that stay home, pencils, sharpers, everything but the actual backpacks. Right now, the left base cabinet has all their (and my) crafting stuff (glue gun, fabric, markers, stencils, paints, etc.) and the right lower is my barware, ice bucket, wine rack and liquor bottles. I love having it there because it's so easy to set up an instant bar on that back counter when guests come over. And the two drawers have my oversized serving platters, etc.

I suppose I could just put a big wire basket or something next to the entry table where they could drop backpacks.

Lisa, yes - it's really only the 5 year old that still brings home the random junk - I try to just dump it once it's broken (usually they last a day) or when he's asleep and forgotten about it :)

Here is the window seat...homework station/peninsula

That's such a pretty room, I'd hate to defile it with all the kids' detritus! (No kids at home anymore - when we did, their stuff left a trail a mile long. Now we have a console table in the front hall where we leave keys and anything that needs to go out with us the next day, jackets are hung on a cute coat rack in the same hall. Because I couldn't stand the piles of paper on the kitchen island, I got a small side table, which holds purses and other "stuff" - it isn't particularly neat, but at least it isn't the island that's messy!).

Lol@"Tornado of Crap". Sounds like a rock band.

Oh that's a lovely area in your kitchen, I love it! Those window treatments are awesome.

I think some sort of wicker basket (with a hinged lid?) or a small trunk could work (in the entry), but hard to tell if you have space.

Just because I'm in the midst of backpack hell I would remove the window seat pillows and cushion and line up a row of decorate crates for backpack storage.

Then on holidays and over the summer break or for special occasions, return the cushions and pillows.

I love your window seat area. But in my world having the backpack mess under control would take precedence and it doesn't seem like you have a lot of floor space otherwise to take up room for storing them.

Is it possible to put shoe shelves in your front closet? We use a pine cupboard in our entry way to hold our shoes. Each person has their own shelf, and it works pretty well. Then the backpacks could go under your hall table. (7 kiddos at home, homeschooling. I feel your pain on trying to make room for all the stuff!!!)

(Your window seat setup is still one of my favorites. : ))

Laughable, I like the idea. But, my closet is small and dark so I could probably only get two rows of shelves in there which would not be enough space for all 3 kids' shoes. Maybe if I could at least get 1 kids shoes in the closet, it would free up one of the baskets under the table for backpacks. I could probably pile all three in one basket.

I'd also love to squeeze a small chair next to the table, where the kids could sit when they get their shoes on and off before entering/leaving the house. I'm sure it would just become another dumping ground for their junk...but a girl can dream. :)

Sounds like backpacks are the only really issue? Is there any cabinet in your kitchen that you can clear out and use for backpacks?

Interesting. While my daughters were both of the backpack stage, they always brought theirs up to their rooms. They did most homework in their room, or for bigger projects, the dining room table.

Can they put in on their chair during the week and on the weekends it goes to their room? Or could the window seat drawers have the contents relocated?

I'm in the midst of becoming an empty nester. I may be missing all of this cr-- soon!

I would redo the entire entrance way with a serious cubby large cabinet and get rid of everything there. It is not meeting the needs of your household, and while I know you like it, it doesn't work in the functional sense. Those big wall units with shelves, baskets, seating, that sort of thing would fit the existing need.

The Olivia entrance way bench/lockers, on Pottery Barn is only 14" deep, I think you could do that or something similar. It's a very functional look although I prefer the systems with a wood back instead of exposed wall.

That's what I was thinking too, BumbleBeez. I'll check out the PB one you suggest.

In our small previous home we put the back packs on the washer/dryer. Do you have a space for them somewhere else? Garage wall for hooks? Laundry room? I don't hang ours anymore since they are so heavy now. It puts a lot of strain on the hooks & the packs. If you are considering a built in can you recess it in the wall? I'd hate to feel cramped on entry. Is your door situated to the left on the pic? I ask because the table on this side if all things are equal seems to be in the way of your kitchen access and your fantastically improved view to the kitchen. I'd move it to the left for better flow on arrival.

Sadly, no laundry room, HouseofSticks. Just a laundry closet with stackables, without an inch to spare. My house is a 70 year old Cape Cod style and I live in New England. Sometimes it's an uphill battle trying to retrofit today's lifestyle into this old house. Here are some pics for better orientation of my space. I like the idea of the wall locker system but I worry that such a small high-traffic zone might wind up feeling even more cramped.

It actually looks cluttered right now, so something with cabinets and baskets and no decorative accessories will go a long way to streamlining the hallway. Try looking on Craigs list first, or even consider having someone build something you paint or stain. PB is expensive but a good place for ideas. I like the lockers in the Olivia, backpacks could go in there, shoes in the baskets but it is an easy system to copy.

Here are a few photos. But I feel like once these are filled with backpacks and stuff, they'll look even more cluttered. And, my space is my main, front entrance, not a mudroom.

What about something with cabinets? I would embrace this idea, your entryway is being used as a mudroom and unless you find deliberate space somewhere else and enforce it, it will continue as is. I like the drawers better than the open cubbies but they could be filled with baskets which would hide stuff. Those are very nice but continue to look for closed door options too. And for what it's worth, PB does this thing all the time at the entryway! You have to work with what you have and I am assuming you don't have a mudroom, so make the best!

Isn't that the quote here? Decorate for the live you actually have... when the kids are older, if you are still there, go back to a console table.

Any chance there is space under the stairs? Maybe you could have drawers built?

I bought a sturdy four drawer dresser and painted it black. Each person in the family got a drawer. It wouldn't fit backpacks but we put shoes not worn that day, mitts, hats, leashes, etc. in the drawers.

I feel like you are all so generous with your comments and ideas and I keep shooting them down. I appreciate every one of your comments, I really do! Sadly, my stairs share a wall with my basement stairs so no storage there. I don't have a mudroom. Just have to make the most of what I've got. I'll shop around for some hallway storage that like Bumblebee suggests, has some doors/drawers and baskets to hide the clutter.

What's the glass door, or better yet what lies behind it? Any space there? I would, if it were mine do the following:

If there is truly no space have them set them on the stools after they are done with homework for the next day and Friday eve take them to their rooms, unless of course they eat there, then I'd get a table cloth for the more formal area table and have them stow them their.

I would get rid of the hall table and opt for a low row of hooks for small canvas (lands end type) totes for each child-initial on each. This would house the small crap they get each week and give them something to fill for transport to their room for clean up time. If you get a lot of stuff (read junk) then use a 4th for donations I put everything from clothing to plastic grocery bags in mine and drop off when it fills up. We get lots of wonderful "stuff" so mine is actually a larger canvas standing laundry tote for donations or plastic laundry bin. Friends come and are offered to look in it for goodies or they get given to charity.

Your kitchen is lovely. It's really hard to "small space it" sometimes, if you don't have a designated space. Even if it's not ideal designate one and you might feel like things are it their place if it's sight unseen.

Is 16" too deep? Since you already have closet space for coats, etc. what about just a storage bench with nothing above it (except maybe your mirror)? Visually, it would take up much less space that a full wall unit and with the backpacks out of the way, there would not be the clutter of coats hanging. I didn't read each suggestion carefully, so apologies if this was already a suggestion. This one is 16" x 60".

Would you be ok with us taking a peek in your closet? : ) I'm wondering if there if a way we can help you outfit its space better, and maybe some lighting could be worked into it too, so it's easier for your family to find stuff. Take a look at those deep drawers under the stairs in the pic from Olychick, for example. Could the base of your closet be outfitted with deep drawers for each child's shoes, and the top of the drawers could be where the back backs get set, with the coats hung above them? Maybe something like this:

I hate to see you fill your entry with a tall wall unit if it isn't necessary. A shorter unit will feel less claustrophobic.

Is there wasted space in the storage unit you have now, above the shoe baskets? It's a bit hard to tell from the pics.

Awesome feedback I love all the ideas! Laughable I'll take more pictures when I get home. I'd love to get everything into the closet then redo my entryway properly without all the clutter, but I think it will take some magic.

Olychick, I really like that second one you posted I think the big storage bin he would better fit multiple backpacks than individual baskets could. I'd be sad to lose my console tabke, surface for decorating but I guess it's just adding more clutter to the mix.

I hang the backpacks on hooks in my basement stairwell. I also have an art wall on both sides of the stairs with children's art work, awards, report cards, etc. it leads to a finished play room and den so it is considered the kids space and it keeps my public areas less cluttered with kid stuff.

Not sure how many shoes you have to store in that closet, but another idea might be a long narrow shoe dresser in the hallway, clearing out space for backpacks in the closet...maybe with pull out drawers like laughablemoments suggested - or some other way to organize them. You could include storage in the dresser for gloves and other things, too.

I'm not sure you would find one large (long) enough ready made, but it probably wouldn't cost that much to have one built. It would then be tall enough to have some decor on the top, as opposed to just a bench. It's only 8" deep!

ana white shoe dresser

I was looking up something, came across this, and thought of this thread. I like the idea of a big unit, like those you posted up there, but being an in entryway/pass through area, the sides would bother me. This one is more open for a narrow area. I wonder if you could get something custom made, with three cubbies/drawers/whatever for the three kids, on the bottom part, but a top like this .....

MizGG, that piece is gorgeous! Unfortinately, it's also over $1,000. But great point about keeping the sides open to help the space feel less claustrophobic. Ok, I apologize in advance for picture overload but here is essentially my hallway spaces...

My sad excuse for a front hall closet...

A better perspective of my main entrance and under table shoe storage for 3 kids.

Back hallway that leads to (newly remodeled) bathroom and garage. Also the wall of fame for kids artwork, tests, report cards... Double doors are laundry closet.

Back door, leads to garage. We don't ever come in through the garage.

I like MizzG's suggestion with the bench with a hooks for things. We had the same issue with our entrance at our last house, and I happened to find a hall tree that fit the space and solved the problem beautifully. That tiny piece of furniture housed the backpacks, coats, boots, gloves, hats. It was miraculous and under $200.

I have the same problem, different area. Now those hats, gloves, backpacks, etc... are in my mudroom.

It can look messy, but works for everyday life. You can tuck the gear away when guests come to call.

IKEA has a Hemnes shoe cabinet that might help. The pics (assuming they post - I miss preview!) are from a blog, and I think she did a nice job on her foyer.

http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2011/09/happy-and-organized-entry.html

The unit comes in 2 finishes and 2 sizes: 35w x 11 3/4d x 50h or 42 1/8w x 8 5/8d x 39 3/4h. Here's a link to one of them http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40216908/. I also read where someone changed the knobs out, and someone else put a charging station in the top drawer.

Since you don't use the garage door, I would just stand the backpacks against the wall under the hat rack, and move them when company is coming.

We have a similar problem and have no real foyer and certainly no mudroom (it's an old Cape Cod that was expanded but somehow managed to lose all its hallways.) The challenge for me is creating storage that is effective and attractive for 3 different types of items: coats, shoes, and backpacks. My oldest just started middle school and we learned the hard way that at this stage, backpacks cannot be hung from hooks on dry wall.

Our solution is similar to yours: we have a long console table with a lower shelf. Shoes go in big old galvanized buckets from Smith & Hawken at Target; 2 kids' backpacks fit neatly next to the buckets. Kid hoodies/windbreakers are hung on hooks on a wall adjacent to the front door; there's also a hanging 3-file thingy for papers that need to go to/from school. We also have a small front closet that houses heavy coats and boots in winter and pool towels/goggles/etc in summer.

It's not the best system, but it's reasonably functional at this point. I like the Ikea shoe cabinets, and toy with the idea of getting one every so often. But they are mostly too bulky for my space, and I'm not sure my kids would actually use them properly. We tried a bunch of other options for shoes and the basket/bucket thing seems to involve the least amount of effort so actually tends to get utilized more frequently. We also tried shoe benches etc, but found that no one ever sat down on the bench to put on their shoes!

Is it as simple as adding a shelf to the console you have for the backpacks to set on? Or perhaps finding a storage unit that holds both the bags and shoes.

Those are interesting closet rods. They make me wonder if the closet shallower than standard depth? Would coat hooks wrapping around the 3 inside walls of the closet actually work better for you?

Are you willing to give up a door on your entry closet? I've seen some nice closet remodels where they've taken off the door, put in a bench with storage below, and hooks above. Would that appeal, and is it within budget? (But on second thought, there's a whole lot of storage waiting to be utilized on the back side of the closet door!)

Ahhh, boots. What do you do about boots for the kids? Do they have boot trays that you need to plan for, too? (And storage for snowpants...my bane! LOL)

I have a radiator in the same spot as yours and we extended the cover to the edge of the wall and built six cubbies to house shoes. We put slits on the inside so our shoes are heated in the winter too. If you could do this, i think you only have the room on the left side, but it would free the bottom console for backpacks. Here is a picture of ours it only costs time if you are handy.

When our children were that age we used a hall tree for storage. It worked out well for us. It was in our family room (and still is, but now it's empty!) Ours was a family heirloom, but looks almost exactly like this one on Boston CL:

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/atq/5276990283.html

There are tons of great ideas on here. The one thing I probably wouldn't do of all the suggestions is any kind of unit with "closed" storage for backpacks (drawers, tilt-outs) etc. because unless you want to be "reminding" your kids constantly to put the backpacks away, in my experience it just isn't going to happen regularly. For that reason, I'd want open, but neat, storage -- I like the idea of some sort of hall tree with hooks for the backpacks and space for open-top baskets.

I have to giggle a little bit that the "whirlwind of crap" seems to be coming from people's kids when my husband does the same thing! If there is a flat surface anywhere in the room where we typically enter the house, it immediately gathers piles of crap. Even if that flat surface is a pice of furniture with drawers and cabinets for said crap, it still gets piled all over the top. I probably need a true mudroom that can be closed off if I want to eliminate the so aptly named whirlwind of crap.

pricklypearcactus, mine too! In fact, yesterday was crap cleaning day. Got rid of the 8 piles (including a pile of tools, and a pile to go to the recycling bin, among other things) on the dining room table, all paper on the kitchen island, and all the little things in the decorative bowl on the coffee table (according to "them", it's a bowl, that's what it's meant for LOL).

I have four kids and feel your pain with the storage. I know your closet is small, but last year I bought this storage thing from Costco similar to the ikea ones and was shocked by how little space it took up and what a different it made separating everyone's shoes. The baskets are huge and could probably even fit a backpack, yet the unit itself is really not that deep. It's worth measuring just in case it would fit in your closet!