Funny Les, but we were just talking about that recently. We also talked about building cabinetry into the pony walls, where the columns are. I think I'd be hard-pressed to get DH to agree to construction of any kind around here though. But it is a great idea. At this point I think I'll get something inexpensive but functional and then find out about having something built for the "official" entry hall area. If I make it longer than I had originally envisioned, and have storage built in, it could work. Thanks again everyone!

Thanks Gloria, I have had thoughts of a shoe rack like you described. It is good to hear that your hubby likes that style. Shoes are a bit of a problem in our home, we have tried hanging shoe (cloth) bags in wardrobes, boxes, storing them in an old 6 drawer dresser in the garage etc and I am running out of ideas, I did not know if there was another alternative that was working for some of you, I would love to hear them! Thanks :)

I have a shoe storage cabinet in my bedroom. It is basically a book shelf. Mine is 14 inches wide and it holds my husbands size 11 shoes as well as my own. Before I had it built I measured the biggest pair of shoes then measured from the heel up and added 1 inch to see how far apart to make the shelves. Some of my shelves are 6 inches from the top of the shelf to the top of the next shelf, giving my about 5 1/2 space between the shelves. These hold my husbands shoes and my heels. I have 2 shelves like this and the other 3 are an inch smaller in space. It holds 15 pairs of shoes--actually I have about 20 because sandals I stack one on top of the other I have it covered with a cloth cover I made, but it would be an easy matter to add doors with european hinges. If you want to make it narrower you could slant the shelves and add a cleat to catch the heels of the shoes.

Because of the length of the hallway and the symmetrical placement of the windows, I'd think about having a narrow bench built the full length of the hallway with nothing between the windows (except maybe art). Something modern (without the upper storage shown here and not as deep). You could have the shoes covered or not:This is very narrow, but functional: