apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

It's very rare that I don't find inspiration on one of the AT post to solve one of my problems. Here, I didn't.

Basically, my entryway has to hide about 20 pairs of shoes (plus my husband's), 1,5 meter of coats (plus extra space for the visitors'), a closet for scarfs and umbrellas.

All this in a 3 square meter space. Let's s pretty racks with two coats on them, tiny storage boxes for baby shoes (I have some beautiful, long boots !) and mini storage spaces are a bit utopic.

I'm happy people took care of design practicability in a laundry room. I'm still waiting to see an entryway I could actually use.

There are some nice examples here, but what would be a good solution to a front door that opens directly into a living room? The front door is right between the living room and the dining room, so there is wall space on either side. All I need is a place to put a purse, shoes, and stuff to take out to the car. In the winter, maybe a light coat or two.

Thanks for any advice.

I don't like entryway clutter. I love the large closet at my front door that holds everything and more. If I didn't have that, I would have to buy a large furniture unit to hide my front door needs in.

Myshkin, without knowing exactly how your rooms are configured, my first instinct is to look at ideas in Ikea (yes, Ikea again but it's what I can afford) How about something like their Stark Hall Unit. Coat hides behind the panel and your purse sits in the shelf.

I have been searching for a while now on ways to make my entryway more functional. I live in a prewar apartment in NY and when you open the door there is a small hallway entryway with no room for a table or shelf b/c its narrow. You come in more and there is the dining area.
Where can I hang my keys? Where can I put something to hold incomingmail? any ideas would be appreciated.

Please tell me where I can find that owl umbrella stand! Also, can someone remind me of the name/designer of the white organizer (in the pic with the orange phone (also love!))

Thanks!

Myshkin, my front door also opens into a living room, its not quite the same set up as yours, but this is the solution I came up with, hope it helps! (the box in the corner was there when we got the place, it's hiding some plumbing, but it makes a good table for odds and ends!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangedoor/3582698585/

@mron- I would consider attaching something to the wall with a small ledge (like 4 inches wide) with a lip and maybe like 2 inches of depth almost like a mini window flower box? And then maybe a few hooks below that to hang purses and coats from and a mirror above it? (I am a big advocate of a mirror near the door so that you can get one last look to make sure you are ready too go...nothing like accidentally forgetting to fininsh making up your left eye to hammer that home)

DrRuby, thank you! I agree about the mirror detail by the entryway as well. :)