I struggle with the "shoes off" in the house policy. In theory, that would be my preference. And certainly in bad weather, my kids all take their shoes off. However, I have four kids, and two of them are outside playing all the time. They come in and out for a variety of reasons, so requiring them to take shoes off each and every time just isn't manageable (especially since one of them has fine motor skills problems, so just tying his shoes is difficult for him). I usually take mine off when I come inside, unless I'm wearing sneakers and coming from the store where I have to make multiple trips to the car. That said, I also have three entry points. The kids go in and out through the garage, which is underneath the main floor. If they are coming in and staying in, they usually leave their shoes in the garage just outside the door (a huge pile which I'm trying to organize - used to be a big basket but too many shoes, so now I have an organizer to put together, but not sure they will actually put their shoes in each compartment!). I always use the front door and kick my shoes off at the front door - there is a basket there by the door, so if I'm going out again later, I leave my shoes there, but if not I bring them upstairs to my closet. I wear slippers in the house. We also have a mudroom but it is accessible from the back door. There was a time when my kids always used it after school/coming home from somewhere, but now my key no longer works in the lock so they always use the garage instead. The mudroom, however, seems to store whatever shoes they haven't left in the garage (as well as shoes that are not in use regularly, like cleats, church shoes, etc). They each have their own cubby, and a basket for shoes in their cubby. I find it perfectly normal here where I live to see a basket of shoes near the front door. The only houses where I don't see them are my friends' homes who have homes that are more formal (don't look very lived in), or if they have a mudroom or other main entry for family. I just read the two posts above mine and see that they both have four kids like me. I had to laugh at choclot b/c her battle sounds like mine! Mine each have their own cubbies and STILL I find their things all over the mudroom - coats laying on the bench instead of hanging on the hook, shoes on the floor *right next to* their shoe basket, socks they've taken off and left in their cubbies and then wonder why they have no socks after I do laundry! I do call them from wherever they are to fix their mistakes, but much of the time I'm off doing something else and don't notice right away. My kids are 8, 10, 12 and turning 14. My oldest has actually become very organized (she keeps all her shoes in an organizer up in her bedroom after years of using the mudroom), hangs her coat in her room, etc. My 12 y/o is a slob, but he is incredibly organized with his schoolwork, binder, etc and judging from what I hear from his friends' mothers whose boys are constantly losing things, forgetting to turn in schoolwork, etc, I figure I'll take that over him not putting his shoes away properly!

Some other random thoughts w/ links to illustrate (I gave up on finding the original links--these are from my Pinterest board, but I think you can find the original links there if you want them) Re: that extra depth in the upper cabinets, and overhead pullouts. Imagine this as a pullout from the side that lets you access the rear 12" or 18" for the upper section of the cabinet (while you still access the front 12" or 6" inches by opening doors). https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037428927703/ Similar rear pullout to access back depth (this one is in the knee-hole of a craft desk, but it's the same sort of idea--access the depth by pulling it out to the side. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037432245478/ similar side-access pullouts or drawers: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037428927706/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037428932903/ This is my favorite overhead pullout for full depth. You pull it out, but you access the shelves from the side. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037434813694/ Other overhead pullouts: These are to the front https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037434480577/ These chef's drawers are a neat way to have full access to the depth without having to have a separate bin or basket. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037434591751/ This is an interesting (but elaborate) way to have lots of shallow, accessible storage in a deep cabinet. You lose some of the space, frankly, to the organizing system itself. But it's interesting to think about. You could conceivably use something similar for only a small section. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037434646254/ Here's something to ponder about creating a cabinet on the side. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037434591800/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037434591784/ If you do want some sort of writing surface, consider something temporary like this pull-out ledge/shelf. That'll keep it from becoming a clutter catcher, but still let you write something now and then. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429046614/ Back-of-the-door storage. This one w/ a vacuum. It shows using hooks on the wall behind, back-of-door storage as well. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429046844/ Back-of-door storage look at the hooks on the sides of the door cubbies. This would let you have easy access to the dog leash, extra keys, whatever, and still have substantial bins for other stuff (mittens; those shoes) https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429046869/ This isn't a cabinet at all, but it sort of shows having sideways pullouts, and pullouts of different sizes. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429213715/ Another sideways-accessed pullout. Not that you're storing cans, but it's a way to have deep cabinets for shallow or small stuff. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429213913/ Recycling pullouts, on the bottom: See this laundry-basket storage. This is on the front, but you could have one bottom cubby that pulls out from the side. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429524380/ Tilt-out laundry storage, which could inspired recycling storage, or a basket/bin/bucket for gardening shoes. (could tilt out sideways, or front ways) https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429524386/ Tilt-out on the side, sort of. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037435705334/

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:

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.