apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I like the row of Shaker Peg hooks, but instead of hanging them parallel to the floor, I would hang a few Shaker Peg strips at a 45 degree angle to the floor - you can put more hooks up that way, and it means that the pegs are graduated at heights appropriate for everyone in the family, making it easier for kids to hang up their stuff on the lower pegs.

Check out PotteryBarn Kids and PBTeen for some modular storage systems...

i'd do a bench, too, with cubbies underneath for shoes in baskets or something. then a shelf w/ pegs above (with enough clearance to put things that won't block the sconce). maybe a hotel shelf, or something like this:

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=17088&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&langId=-1&parentCats=17088*17089&categoryId=17091&productId=70096&chosenPartNumber=20103733

also, on the slender wall to the right, put some hooks at certain heights to hang bookbags or hang a few smaller shelves for each person to put keys and wallets, etc. shadow box shelves might be nice for that, because you have the inside and the top to put things, even decorative stuff.

Your landing strip space is too small for four people.
:(
I would suggest that everybody take their stuff to their room.
:)

With so many people I don't know if there is a "neat" solution to your problem.
Maybe a short IKEA closet with shelves and doors?

Tony G.

you want a smaller version of this (with hooks in the vertical compartments):

http://www.pecorfamily.com/Blog_202005_2D12_2D26_20Bench.jpg

should be easy for any carpenter to make (cheap) or there are other versions out there by target, pottery barn, etc, i'm sure.

There was a post on one of the AT sites a week or 2 ago showing some products from school supply companies. There were actually some pretty cool, but very expensive, storage solutions there. I'll see if I can find it.

But in your case, I'm inclined to agree, simple shelves, hooks, and bench.

Couldnt find the AT post about it, but here are the sites that were linked:
www.discountschoolsupply.com
www.whitneybros.com

I love this one:
http://www.pylones-usa.com/item.php?item=PY-EMB

I would recommend an Expedit, up on legs, placed vertically. Then attach hooks on the left side of it (what would be the top if it were placed horizontally) for hanging coats, at two levels: one level for kids, one for adults.

It would give each person a cubby or two with room to spare in your dimensions. If you put it up on legs, then shoes can be tucked underneath, kinda like I did.

Good luck!

Lockers?

I got a set of three for my mudroom from www.anytimeproducts.com
They are fantastic for holding and storing away a bunch of stuff and very kid friendly. You can place the hooks and shelves at whatever height you choose and they're magnetic so it's easy to deck out the insides with key hooks, cups, bulletin boards or whatever.
If the industrial look isn't your thing, you could have something similar custom built (like cabinetry) and configured to your exact spec...

kate, I like what you did with the Expedit, but I think you have the meanings of "vertical" and "horizontal" confused. :)

I am not a fan of those Pottery Barn things. Here's why: If you're going to pay close to 2 G's for an entryway ensemble, wouldn't you want something with doors to hide all the clutter?

Maybe the thing to do would be to buy side by side large cabinets - like kitchen or wall cabinets from Ikea. Depending on your needs and the size of your coats and the height of your kids (you definitely want them to be able to reach the coat hooks), you could either mount these to the wall above the shaker pegs or put them on the floor below the pegs with a butcher block top on or another type of "counter" on top for setting things down.

I think what Kate might have meant was this:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15561&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=11499&langId=-1&categoryId=15651&chosenPartNumber=40047675
set on it's side for the cubbies, with coat hooks above it.

As I see it, you will have a problem with heights of coat hooks since yours will probably need to be higher than your children's. Maybe if you stagger them, one high, one low, repeat.

Hi Kate,
I'm a Professional Organizer and see this all the time. Here are some practical solutions that can be stylish as well.
First of all remove any table or bench as it will beome a dumping ground. Install two rows of double hooks, one low for heavy backpacks and one higher for coats.
Underneath the hooks can be a boot tray, galvinized bins or great looking baskets for shoes.
Use the wall space between the wall and the door to hang small floating shelves or cubes for wallets, keys and mail.
Use the back of your door! If you need more hanging space place a row of hooks there or if you need more space for small objects hang a clear shoe bag so you can place gloves, hats, library books etc.. into the pockets to grab and go. You can even use it for shoes! If you don't like the look of plastic there are fabulous canvas shoe holders in lots of colors to compliment your decor.
Good luck!
Ellen