IMO you could live without the air vent to be able to add storage or maybe an armoire that sits up off the floor 3- 4’

Could a subset of those things go somewhere else when not in use?

Could you add a couple of hooks over the shoe storage unit for, say, the baby carriers, at least, which would decrease the crowding? A hook for scarves to the right of the shoe cabinet? Could you add a second row of hooks under the current ones to let kid coats hang lower down? I'd also get the wall between the current coat zone and shoe cabinet into play, for sure, even if only for one or two things.

Also, a low bench might be preferable to a couple of mismatched chairs here -- more space for people putting on shoes, etc., and less visual jumble. Make it a storage bench, and more possibilities arise...

First I would limit the amount of stuff you put in the area. Keep it limited to one coat each, while keeping other coats in your regular closet. Same with hats and other pieces.

You could put up a shelf above where the basket is and have two baskets on top of it, giving it a little more space.

Bags I would keep elsewhere.

I would also put a narrow bench down where the two odd chairs are.

most folks in the US have more stuff than they have room for by their entry, no matter how large their entry is; only discipline can limit the mess. i agree, you have a very small area but still, you could put up 12 hooks and they'd all be over run by half way through the winter. the answer is to either don't own it, or carry it through to the closets in your bedrooms. spring and fall are hard as its a different temperature each day.

i know from what i speak, i live in a 5 bedroom home with no coat closet on the first floor or any floor.

Can you move the shoe storage to the wood floor? Then put 2 rows of hooks on both sides of the door. Put a shelf above the upper hooks.

I have a similar back entrance. The more hooks, the better. Also, I put a curtain up to hide it.

move everything that doesn't get used daily to the bedroom closets of each person shoe storage you have now could move also but replace it with a bench with storage for each person in the family. give each person a hook or 2 where the shoe storage is now behind the door.

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/70245872/#/00243800

Can you stand at the front door and shoot a pic down the area?

As they get shorter, they get a bit more like ottomans, but I think the return could still get air...

Here's one with a bit more height:

This last one comes in 7 colors and is 30" wide:

Here's a photo from standing at the door if that helps. So if I put shelves above the shoe cabinet, they can't be more than 24" long otherwise the door will not open fully! I have really tried to pare things down here. All our winter coats, etc are in the basement hanging up and only autumn coats are here. I think 2 coats per person right now. So 7-8 coats. If I can put the baby carriers in baskets, and the scarves, that will help somewhat. And add more hooks somewhere else to divide it up without looking too cluttered. With two kids I like having the coats here so I can easily get everyone out the door.

Well, the kids can always sit on the stairs to do their shoe duty. Certainly no room for a bench there.

I would switch where the shoes and coats go. I see you can't put another shoe unit closer to the door because then the door won't open, but you could hang coats the full length. Make a custom unit that maximizes your space- just buy hooks and screw them into a board of the appropriate length. Hang it high enoUgh to hang a second set of hooks below for kid stuff.

You can do a tiny landing strip trip on the opposite wall- a mirror, a thin ledge for holding mail, a key rack.

Rather than your current shoe holder, I'd get a couple sets of the Ikea Trones shoe holders in white. They're modular and wall-mounted. I'd hang some all the way to the ceiling and place more seasonal stuff up high. You can place one under the window as well if there's space.

Evaluate the space after that. If you still need storage, you could hang some baskets on hooks in a vertical row on that little divider wall between the entry and the rest of the space.

i agree no need to use space for a bench when the steps are right there

This setup keeps the "messier" looking pile of coats corralled by the entry, where they won't be as visible to the rest of the house. Maybe consider painting that tiny entry a new color to define it.

Looks so much better!

That bench looks like it was made for the spot, good job finding that.

Looking forward to seeing the next update!

You can also add a shelf or cubbies above the coat rack for additional storage.

Great find!

Small victories against the chaos! Fight on, brave soldier!

:)

That's why this is my favorite section of Houzz. Love seeing real solutions by real people for real life.

I would get a wider coat rack to spread out the coats so it's not so bulky in the middle.

We have a house like this. I would suggest haning a second row of hooks at kid height under that window. They can put their coats and school bags there.

Take advantage of the ceiling…no need for it to be right at the door.

I LOVE the branch hanger idea. Wondering where to do something like that in my little space.