What happens when three men live in one little bungalow, with no mudroom, a front door leading right into the living room, and a back door with no closet? The obvious answer is lots of shoes, coats, and hats making their home in piles on the floor. Until, of course, a little creative thinking and organization saves the household sanity.
The rear entryway of this Canton, Ohio bungalow was formerly a garage, until former owners converted it into a den. When Matt, a work-at-home graphic designer, moved in two years ago, he turned the space into an office. Because of the narrow quarters, organizing an entry way was quite a challenge. There was no room for a closet, and not even enough space for a cabinet.
Matt picked up these old lockers (for free!) from a local industrial plant liquidation sale, and realized their slim profile would be perfect for the entryway. Now that he has two roommates, the lockers are a great way for each guy to have his own storage space for shoes, coats, and hats.
With the addition of a coat rack and hooks, a small bench, and even a bulletin board, the three bachelors have a nice and tidy area to keep their outerwear from taking over the rest of the home.
Sources for Furniture and Accessories:
- Letterpress hooks: Anthropologie
- Bulletin board: Local garage sale
- Bench: Antique shop
- Coat rack: Urban Outfitters
- Lockers: Locally salvaged
Images: Amanda Johnson
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genius! If you told me, "we added some orange lockers for storage," I would look at you like your crazy. But the pictures show that it's excellent for the space. Were the lockers repainted or is that their "as is" condition?
I have a similar locker set in my garage from when I bought the house, I've been contemplating bringing them into the house but wasn't sure how to do it... now I'm even more tempted.
I find just a little too much pleasure in the fact that the hangy-shoe-thing is the perfect width to fit in the locker.
Christine, the lockers were found in their orange condition. :) The industrial plant was the Hoover Company in North Canton, Ohio. Matt's house is in the same neighborhood, and also in the same neighborhood at the local high school, Hoover High. Hoover's colors are orange and black, so I have a feeling they are old high school lockers.
This is great looking. I am in love with the orange and blue coat rack combo.
totally awesome. love love love it!
Normally I'd hate the use of lockers inside a home, but makes perfect sense with three roommates. Curious about who gets the extra space since it looks like there is either four or five (not exactly divisible by three).
Oh my gosh, I used to live in North Canton when I was a kid... I remember the town Christmas celebration being near the Hoover plant... Is it closed down now? :(
Oh sorry, GORGEOUS space, well done!
I'm always scheming to squeeze function from tight space, and this is a clever way to do it. Amanda, do you know whether they have a no-shoes policy at home, as it seems from the entry contents? If so, then do you know whether that works for them? I ask because the no-shoes concept intrigues me. I'm unclear on how it would work here in the 'burbs, and don't know anyone who uses it.
I've seen a few bachelor's landing strips before.
I live in the suburbs and always kick my shoes off at the door because I like being barefoot. I let others wear shoes though. I keep slide on shoes by each door in case I need to run out after the dog or something.
@Cally, Thank you, that makes sense.
@patrick (the other one), you're excellent, as usual. Happy 2011!
I also live in the suburbs of south FL, and every KID does it. It's kind of like a thing that is known...when you come in you take your shoes off. BUT I guess for Adults...like when you have a dinner party or something, you wouldn't ask them to take their shoes off.
Ah! Love the lockers! Excellent idea :)
Your entryway looks great! I'm encouraged to start cleaning up my entryway.
Does Anthropologie still sell those letterpress hooks? They're exactly what I'm looking for.
Harlan: I'm not sure if they still sell them. Sorry!
Miami Elaine: The bachelors don't have a no-shoes policy in their home, but here in Northeast Ohio it is snowy at least three months out of the year, which mean salt is on the roads and in the snow. When you wear shoes inside that have been in salty snow, you end up with dried salty mud everywhere in your home. A disaster. It's common courtesy here to take off your shoes in the winter because of this. If you didn't, you would seem like a barbarian. :)
As for my own home, I have definitely very politely asked my guests to remove their shoes, and they gladly complied.
Too funny! I grew up in N. Canton, too! The lockers are a cool find but made me kinda sad. Great redo -- love the gleam off the dark floors.