Roundup: Hallway Storage Options

Hallways are often under-utilized spaces, but they have a lot of potential. One way to put your hallway to work is to use it for storage, whether that means hanging a couple of wall hooks or designing a whole new built-in shelving system...

Combination storage: Jacob and Laurie's hallway combines open bookshelves with a bench (not shown above) and a cabinet at the end of the hall. A woven floor basket stores their daughter's toys.

Built-ins: Before B moved into her home, the back room was an open space. With the help of former roommates, Dave and Matt, she built a removable pressure-fitted wall with built-in shelving on each side. On one side, the wall creates a hallway to the back porch. On the other side, it provides storage and privacy for a third bedroom.

Hooks: Alex's loft makes use of a classic, simple solution: wall hooks. The Eames Hang It All is a colorful, multi-purpose piece.

Freestanding wardrobe: Christy and John use an antique cabinet to hide their shoes and coats.

Open cubbies: Ronnie , Viktoria, and their two teenagers each have a separate cubby for their coats, bags, and shoes.

Photos: Evan Thomas (1,3,5) Sarah Coffey (2,4)

Comments (4)

I agree about the potential and I think that creating a storage area in the hallway can be both useful and pretty.
Here are two other great examples of creative uses of the hallway:
http://www.houzz.com/photos/19571/Hamptons-Show-house-modern-entry-new-york

http://www.houzz.com/photos/12735/AXELROD-ARCHITECTS-modern-hall-tel-aviv

posted by modrngirl on August 10th 2009 at 4:01pm
view modrngirl's profile

well some these pictures don't look like pictures of hallways, but rather like small rooms. roomy areas for sure.

posted by zapzap on August 10th 2009 at 5:23pm
view zapzap's profile

i agree with zapzap... the only thing there that looks like a hallway is the first picture with the arched doorways... and i would never spoil that sight line with a cluttered filled bookcase... or worst yet... a bunch of hooks and jackets.

posted by discomonkey on August 10th 2009 at 6:24pm
view discomonkey's profile

Our house has an odd, unnecessary hallway (no doubt the result of a renovation sans architect) ~ I've always referred to it as the "useless hallway" until we placed two IKEA Billy bookcases side-by-side there, et voila, a small library in 3' of space...plenty of room to walk thru, not obtrusive at all, and while I do agree w/discomonkey, some hallway space is perfectly suited to re-purposing....definitely not that first pic, which made me swoon.

posted by muirwoods08 on August 10th 2009 at 11:00pm
view muirwoods08's profile