skip to main content

Home Decorating

Help me find a shoe-storage bench for foyer

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I got rid of the hall tree with a storage bench int he bottom, it was Home Decorators and not holding up well. We need a new bench to sit on while putting on shoes, and to store shoes in. Preferably hidden (chest-style or even better would be drawers) because our foyer is really just a hallway open to the living room and kitchen.

The size should be 42" - 52" long and 12" - 18" deep. An upholstered top would be nice, but we could add a pad if we found something we liked. Our style is sort of transitional, kitchen right beside the foyer is Ikea and our cabinets and furniture are all "black-brown" (like a dark expresso) walls are all BM mascarpone (warm white).

It can't be taller than bench height because it will sit in front of doors to our utility closet (doors are about 18" off ground) and there is a return air vent below the utility closet doors so having feet would also help - we want to screen the vent from view without blocking airflow. The ikea show cabinets would be great but too tall for the space.

I'm thinking maybe Ikea Besta storage benches, with drawers might work...

Featured Answer

emilymch

8 years ago

I have Ikea kitchen cabinets that I've hacked for shoe storage. I used upper cabinets, added extra shelves, and our shoes line up quite nicely inside:

For your application, I'd use two of the 24" wide, 15" deep, 20" tall cabinets mounted next to each other, and then make a cushion to put on top.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S59034178/#/S29034641

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Olychick
8 years ago
there were some good suggestions in this recent thread; not sure if a bench to suit you is one of them:
Entry storage
rebeccamomof123
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
We have a similar challenge with a long narrow hallway that serves as the main traffic flow in getting shoes on and off and getting in and out of the house. We have no mudroom. I opted for an open console table big enough to slide large fabric baskets for each family member's shoes underneath and on either side of the table I have chairs that serve as is a spot for company to park their handbags, or to sit comfortably and get shoes on and off.
Related Discussions
Bedroom help again- storage bench
Q
Comments (15)
Oh my gosh My3dogs, you'd have this bench done in no time! For me it would be a source of agony! Your table/bench is beautiful!! Anglophilia- the duvet is a bit bright, more white than the creamy curtains, but I got it a couple years ago for $15 (king sized with the shams) and needed something. So despite that it's not perfect, it'll do for now! When I took the duvet out yesterday my dh thought I was going crazy. But it's a Smart Silk duvet. It's not hot. It's actually super cozy and cool. We have our AC set for 24 celcius at night (75 F). And it's been getting about 10 celcius (50 F) at night. Like fall already!
...See More
Shoe/coat storage for a long and narrow living room with bay windows
Q
Comments (28)
Alas never took a photo of it as far as I can remember. This one is similar and looks to be about the same size. MIne had more detail outside but no drawers. I was looking for a larger piece but the labels on the shelves won my heart and being small it fit nicely into the small bedroom. Celestina, I had a half rack of that sort of design made of cast metal that might have been brass that fit nicely in the front hall. Fastened to studs it took up far less room and couldn't fall over. Sold that on eBay long ago and had never seen anything like it since until just now. Pictures are upside down but it is exactly the same design. If you could find a shoe cubby that looked okay with the old fashioned vibe it would terrific looking so long as you manage to keep it cleared off. You wouldn't think something that simple could hold so much! I really like the pieces acm found particularly the wood and metal 3 shelf one. Just work really hard to keep the number of things hung to a dull roar.
...See More
Help me with my entry/foyer -- Looking for creativity!
Q
Comments (45)
Holy cow, I had no idea stair railings were so pricey. Are you changing/ removing the carpet (and either replacing it with more carpet or a runner) because you don't like the current carpeting or is there something wrong with it? Also...niche..okay, so you're cool with quirk and it's a niche, which (to me) screams "I need to house an old, chipped up, vintage-y chalkware statue of an obscure religious figure or a circus animal". But that's just me. Like an infant of Prague would be so cool. Santos figures are great, but...chalkware is pretty darn cool. Chalkware (okay, maybe plaster...) advertising figurine. St. Therese. A really banged up version, verrrrrry neat. St. Therese...in a niche (err, a grotto...). If you don't buy this on Etsy, I will. Or you could put some removable wallpaper inside the niche and add a tuck a puck light up in the top arch of the niche so whatever you put in it is downlit. A soft/matte metallic or seagrass wallpaper would be really neat. or you could paint the back in a really moody version of whatever color your furniture is.
...See More
Help Me Finish Foyer
Q
Comments (33)
My first instinct is to rehang the art from the foyer in the dining room. I think the darker wall color will be the perfect background for that piece (from what I can see in the foyer picture you posted). In it's place, I think a group of 4 smaller pieces hung in a grid might be nice. I also agree with removing the jar and the branches from the console. Personally, I like the wall color you currently have. Would you mind sharing what it is? As much as I agree that wallpaper could look great in there, I like the clean, light look you already have going in there. Also, I'm curious about the light fixture in the foyer. Do you remember who makes it?
...See More
User
8 years ago
We just got this for a back hall. Might not be the shoe storage you need, but it works for us so far http://www.potterybarn.com/products/caden-upholstered-leather-nailhead-bench/?pkey=e|caden%2Bbench|60|best|0|1|48||1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH
Tmnca thanked User
l pinkmountain
8 years ago
My folks got theirs at LL Bean. Here's the link, http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/3163?page=benches&nav=ln-129
Tmnca thanked l pinkmountain
Tmnca
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the ideas! I can't mount cabinets there though due to the air return vent, it will have to be something freestanding that will allow the air to circulate and also could be moved out of the way when servicing the furnace or water heater. Unless I get really creative with the hack and redirect the air vent around and through a toekick, but I am feeling a bit of project burn-out right now at the tail end of this renovation and just want an easy quick solution :)

Here's an old, not great photo of the area. The frame shown is the furnace/water heater closet. We are replacing the bifold door with 2 french doors solid core, so I can mount a shelf and hooks on those, and the new doors will muddle the sounds of the gas appliances better.

Below the funny closet door is the return air vent for the furnace - in this photo is is hidden by this shoe rack we used temporarily when we first moved in. We later had a hall tree storage bench, and we did like keeping our shoes in it but they were all a jumble and not organized.

We do have a hall closet as well, but it's mostly converted to a cat litter room - has a cat door in the door and the litter boxes are in there, but there is room to install something to organize shoes, like an ikea closet thing... just not sure if DH would bother opening the closet and putting away his shoes inside rather than dumping into a storage bench. We can certainly use the closet for out of season stuff, and only need a small amount of storage for 2 pairs of shoes each in the entry.

Related Stories

Ideabook 911: Help Me Finish My Foyer

By Becky Harris

STORAGE 10 Smart Storage Hacks for Shoe Lovers

By Lara Sargent

If your heels, flats, sneakers and boots are piling up in your foyer and bedrooms, restore order with these savvy storage hacks

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Look under, over and inside to find places for everything you need to keep

KITCHEN STORAGE Pantry Placement: How to Find the Sweet Spot for Food Storage

By Tiffany Carboni

Maybe it's a walk-in. Maybe it's cabinets flanking the fridge. We help you figure out the best kitchen pantry type and location for you

STORAGE Closets Too Small? 10 Tips for Finding More Wardrobe Space

By Laura Gaskill

With a bit of planning, you can take that tiny closet from crammed to creatively efficient

Storage Help for Small Bedrooms: Beautiful Built-ins

By Becky Harris

Squeezed for space? Consider built-in cabinets, shelves and niches that hold all you need and look great too

ORGANIZING The Family Home: 8 Super Solutions for Shoe Storage

By Danyelle Mathews

If scattered shoes are causing tripping, mess and chinks in your serenity, these storage systems can help restore order

ORGANIZING Do It for the Kids! A Few Routines Help a Home Run More Smoothly

By Alison Hodgson

Not a Naturally Organized person? These tips can help you tackle the onslaught of papers, meals, laundry — and even help you find your keys

ORGANIZING 7 Habits to Help a Tidy Closet Stay That Way

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Cut the closet clutter for a lifetime — and save money too — by learning how to bring home only clothes you love and need

REMODELING GUIDES Key Measurements for a Dream Bedroom

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Learn the dimensions that will help your bed, nightstands and other furnishings fit neatly and comfortably in the space

Sponsored

More Discussions

Powder room by the kitchen

253

help, what should we do with our fireplace/tv wall?

12

Feedback on spraying grasscloth with water repellant.

6

Help with bedding to match!

12

Help with Family/Living Room Furniture

0