Our house is sadly lacking any kind of closet near the front door, which is the door everyone uses. There isn't really room for a hall tree (at least with coats on it) either, so my kids just keep their coats in their bedroom closets. By "closets", I really mean thrown across their bed or chair. But it's no problem for them to go get them when it's time to leave, and I appreciate not having to look at them the rest of the time. So maybe you could solve the coat issue that way and only have to find a storage solution for the shoes?

I have a friend who bought her daughter a beautiful coat set from a flea market in Newfoundland. Apparently back then the women was sewing the sets herself and has since formed a company called PuffBabies. The website is www.puffbaby.com I don't know where she gets her material from. I have never seen it in a fabric store, but you could buy a Vellux blanket and cut it up.

natal, Today I spoke to my friend/client who has been helping me with my home improvements and asked him if we could switch the doors to open out of the closet. He feels this will be difficult to do since the closets face one another with a tiny hallway separating them that would only allow one door to open if the bathroom door straight ahead is closed since that opens toward the hall and the other closet is closed. Then, I was told, he would have to square off the side the door hits inside the doorway since the rounded part is there and then the square part would be on the outside. He would have to move the hinges on one side and move the piece that the door connects with when the handle is turned. He told me if was a big job and then would have to be repainted in places. He would do it for me when he had time but does not think it would work for that skinny hallway. I still would like it done if possible or I will have to remove the doors or just walk into the small walk-in closet (good for only walking in and standing with the door shut but not a walk-in closet like I envisioned where you can open the door and see both sides and all within but I am still blessed to have the closet space.) and shut the door when I need to see what is the other side of the closet. The space is not wide enough for the bi-fold mirror door I found unless the door area is drilled to make it wider. Why would anyone design a townhouse with closets that look nice to sell a place but are not that practical to use? On the brighter side of things, I love the white three-tiered wire shelves I bought for the closet and have put my shoes on them. I returned the tie/belt rack tonight since it was not working out and bought two white utility racks for my belts that can be secured on the wall or door that I feel will help me out in organizing my belts. I love belts and wear them all the time so I have a lot and they wear out quickly. My clock radio would not fit on my tiny round metal table so I am glad I found a tiny white alarm clock for $14.99 at Target also. I am pleased and now just need to work on the door issue before I can take pictures for everyone.

The narrow Hemnes Ikea shoe cabinet is just great for entryways, though you might need something else for the construction boots--big basket. Other option is a long, attractive bench with great looking baskets underneath. The trick to any of these storage options is to put a red stop sign in front of the rest of the house that no one can pass unless their shoes go inside whatever unit you have. :) P.S. Why not remove the doors on the console cabinet you already have and give everyone a section for their shoes? That's honestly the best solution. If you don't want to look at shoes, then get baskets that fit the shelves on the cabinet.