I would put hooks at the top of that recessed nook area, then install a shelf at the bottom - you could stash shoes/boots beneath and use the top for storing small items as well. If you're worried about your walls supporting the weight, you could turn an old milk crate on its side to achieve a similar function.

However, you would be amazed what will hold in old plaster walls. I've actually found the drilling holes and filling them with liquid nails before inserting the screws gives a really solid hold. You probably wouldn't be able to throw a 50 pound bag on a hook with this method, but you can certainly use this method to accommodate everyday storage needs.

They do not build houses like they used to. I know that if you locate the studs and put your hooks there the weight of coats and hats would not be anything to worry about. You have lots of great space for coat hooks and a shoe rack or tray for wet shoes would fit behind the door, at the right side of the entry way. A slim shelf or two could go under the window, find the studs and put the shelf brackets in there. This would work as a great catch all for mail, keys etc... a plant or two would do nicely there too. A nice Welcome mat to wipe your feet and another rug inside would make it a very nice place to come home to.

I agree with Muffy's suggestion about the shelf and in the recessed area and stashing boots, etc. beneath. Perhaps the pipes just need a fresh coat of paint to blend into the wall better. I would be hesitant to cover them with anything because it could break the line looking up the stairs or even make it a bit tight while passing. However, if you think there is enough space you could try coat hooks ascending up the staircase. This would allow you to strategically place a coat in front of, or over, the pipes and disguise them a little bit.

We have the Ikea Skar cabinet in our small entryway and it is fantastic. It's a mirrored cabinet with hooks on the inside. It holds our hats, umbrellas, dog leashes, etc. It could probably hold a light jacket, too. You said you only had about 6" beside the door. The Skar is 7 1/2" deep, but worth it if it can fit!

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80141850/

2 hooks in the corner between the door and the window (either stacked or one on each wall)...

also, there was a post awhile back in a kitchen window...they had placed glass shelves between the window frames and put potted plants, etc on them.

you could do the same thing with 2-3 glass shelves...place some small baskets on the bottom shelf for gloves/hats, a photo frame or small mirror on the 2nd shelf at eye level, then a small dish on the top for keys.

i suppose you could maybe even do a reverse planter box so it hangs inside for glove/hat storage.

this is something along the lines of what i was talking about with the shelves, but it was a different photo..

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/gardening/how-to-add-glass-plant-shelves-to-a-window-009985

i can't imagine that window will be opened very often so it would make it into a great little nook that would otherwise go unused.

good luck!

What a charming house!

You actually have lots of useful space in your entry: Umbra makes combination key hooks/letter boxes (very convenient for dropping off your keys and mail). Put a couple of baskets on the back of the door (under the window) for gloves and scarves. Put a shallow shoe shelf in the recessed area for double-decker shoe/boot storage, and hang coat hooks above (I agree with others that the wall can probably support a few coats.) You can also extend your storage onto the stairway walls with cute wall-mounted baskets.

If baskets seem too cutesy for your style, consider tribal "camel bags," which are basically small kilims sewn into bags. Very handy for hiding all sorts of junk, and they'd look okay if you hung them along the stairwell wall.

I would put a bright colored coat stand behind and to the corner of the door. Also a friend of mine had an entry like this and she put a pair of her and her husbands shoes on each step up. I don't think they wore shoes in the house. It looked really cute, you just have to obviously push them to the side. Good luck!

I agree with using all the vertical space behind the door that you can. Coat hooks, a shelf with baskets for gloves and hats, etc. I was going to make the same suggestion as Moke076 about using the stairs to store your boots. I'm just not sure you want to do it at the bottom of the stairs, where there's not a place to sit down and/or set down whatever might be in your arms. Maybe put a mat at the top of the stairs and have a small bench or chair near your entryway up there and then stash the boots off the top of the landing instead.

I'm not sure what part of Boston you live in, but I would be wary about leaving my bag or nice shoes or coats at the bottom of your stairs near two big windows. Since it's an old house, I'm sure those windows are single-pane, and it'd be easy for someone to break in without you knowing. I apologize if that's not a concern in your area--just something to be aware of.

If you are worried about the condition of the walls, get a piece of plywood or mdf cut to the dimensions of the little alcove and secure it to the wall. Paint it the same color as the wall and it will be invisible (or paint it a bright color). Then, you can hang as many things as you like without worrying about the wall behind it.

You might try doing something with the stair risers: painting them if your landlord allows or covering them with decorative paper if you can't paint. I did this in a rental last year using painter's tape and scented drawer liner paper from a discount store. Wrapping paper works, too.

Pretty much what others said. Shelves behind the door all the way to the top if you really need to max out storage. Shoes could be on the bottom. A basket for scarves and gloves further up. And any other stuff you need a place for, like magazines, etc. at the top. I think hooks and small shelves between the window and the stair for catchalls is all the room you have there. As for the pipes, I have seen them covered in bright/fun fabric. If you are handy you could build a little column to conceal them. Good luck, lots of potential here!

For the pipes, a random idea I had would be to do a mural of sorts along that wall and paint the pipes to blend in (if painting is an option, of course). Something like this http://easydecals.com/Coat-Rack-Tree-Wall-Decal.html
comes to mind, but obviously, do what you would like. Good luck!

I'd do some hanging shelves or baskets from the door itself for gloves, hats, + any little extras {maybe things that need to be mailed on the next trip out, or things you don't want to forget in the morning}.

That'll help you utilize the wall space without taking up floor space. And, you could get a nice narrow coat rack for the recess behind the door.

Not sure if there's space between/behind the pipes, but, if so, you could wrap them with fabric. This would allow you to sew on hooks/hook-and-loop tape/pockets/straps/grommet/whatever to allow you to use the vertical pipes to hang hats and/or scarves, clothes-pin gloves, etc.

I have a stairway landing strip in my little house and hooks are my best friend! We also have plaster walls, and hung the hooks from an MDF-board attached to the wall and haven't had any problems, even when I hang quite heavy books from them. You can also use bags hanging from the hooks to store gloves and other cold-weather accessories. See pics here

I have a stairway landing strip in my little house and hooks are my best friend! We also have plaster walls, and hung the hooks from an MDF-board attached to the wall and haven't had any problems, even when I hang quite heavy books from them. You can also use bags hanging from the hooks to store gloves and other cold-weather accessories. See pics here

This reminds me of what YHL did for their shoe storage - might work for you!

http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/08/shoo-shoes-dont-bother-me/

Eek - Sorry for the multiple comments and non-working links. FF didn't seem to be posting my comment. Here's what I meant:

I have a stairway landing strip in my little house and hooks are my best friend! We also have plaster walls, and hung the hooks from an MDF-board attached to the wall and haven't had any problems, even when I hang quite heavy books from them. You can also use bags hanging from the hooks to store gloves and other cold-weather accessories. See pics here

I would use the stairs as a gallery and paint the pipes to match the frames that I chose. For example, black frames and then paint the pipes black to blend in. I would also add a small row of hooks and a small cabinet when you first enter the landing.

Room & Board makes amazing slim console tables. I have the natural steel 7"d table next to my front door. I don't know what I'd do without it. http://tinyurl.com/6je8jve

You could also put stair baskets on a few of the steps. Great for scarves, gloves etc.

I'd find a sturdy shelf that fits perfectly in the space behind the door and mount it in a height that is enough to put a tall boot under it. If you can't just drill holes, you can rest the shelf on two or three piles of bricks.
I'd hang 3 or 4 mesh/wire baskets on that little wall by the door frame (behind the door) to hold gloves and scarves. You don't even need to drill holes, you can always use industrial strength velcro for that.
As for the coats, I'd just put a hanger on the wall. If you can't drill into the wall, I'd find a tension pole to place it horizontally (close to the wall) and hang some "S" hooks to hold coats.
A nice little colorful mini blind (found even at Wal-Mart) can be placed on the door window (using industrial strength velcro) to add some privacy. On the little window across from where you'll place your stuff, I'd put one of those films with frosted effect for privacy without compromising the light.
Right under the window I'd take one of those Ikea wooden magazine holders, paint it in white and place it horizontally (with the opening towards the stairs) right in the little corner where the walls of the window and the door meet. It would work as a small catch-all table.
I'd put the outlet to a good use by hooking up a nice little lamp, securing the wire by the wall frame and placing it on top of the catch all table.

You can screw your coat hooks/shelves onto a wooden board and screw the board to the studs if you're worried about the plaster and lath holding.
If you want to get fancy, you can add some decorative molding strips to dress up the board.
As for the pipes, I don't know how much modification you are allowed/want to do, but some white board and batten wainscoting going up the stairs paired with a fun wall color up top could look really classy and create a distraction. Can you tell I like old houses? I'm such a sucker for woodwork.

You might try doing something with the stair risers: painting them if your landlord allows or covering them with decorative paper if you can't paint. I did coat stand in a rental last year using painter's tape and scented drawer liner paper from a discount store. Wrapping paper works, too.