Whatever the size of your apartment, condo or house, there's one spot that is seen first by everyone (including yourself) that enters your home: the entryway. Different homes have different needs for this pivotal area, and Apartment Therapy has tried to provide information for everyone over the years.
We rounded up some of our favorite tips from great previous Apartment Therapy posts:
1) Decide what sort of entryway/landing strip personality you are, so you’ll know what you’ll need to incorporate in your entryway. Do you receive a lot of junk mail? Just need a place to store your rain boots? You can find a great list in the post Entryways for Any Apartment.
2) Think about everyone when considering what sort of entryway to implement; kids, pets and guests might use your entryway, too! You can find a few great ideas for kids in the post Landing Strip for Kids.
3) There are essentials that every entryway needs, regardless of your entryway personality. Always aim to have a door mat, some organizational tools and a nice smell.
4) Organizing doesn’t have to mean huge furniture pieces: we've seen how small shelves, tiny wall-mounted drawers and wall hooks can do wonders. You can see this idea illustrated in the posts Landing Strip Wall Drawer and The Spring Cure Landing Strip Week 3.
5) What you do to your entryway doesn’t have to be expensive or even necessarily new; we’ve covered lots of DIY ideas like this neat and functional entryway storage bench.
6) Though not essential, we've seen how light can create a warm atmosphere to return home to. Try finding a light that does two jobs, like in this light dish post.
7) Lastly, really think about whether you even need an entryway or landing strip. If you prize minimalism, you might be able to get away without one, as illustrated by the post Could an Iphone Case Replace Your Landing Strip?
What are your favorite entryway and landing strip ideas? Do you need one in your home?
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I want to decorate a landing strip, but I feel that it is not big enough. I will try something out though. Thanks for the advice.
I think no matter how large your area, you can decorate a landing strip. The width of the area is important to. Sometimes just a board on the wall, with stickies, place for keys, and a nice picture is enough.. Whatever your space, something can work!
Does anyone know where I could get the wooden shelf/mail holder in the top picture (top left part of the picture)?
I don't use my entryway as a landing strip. We just take our stuff our rooms/office/kitchen. I have pictures and a red stool/bench piece in our entry and that's it.
OMG, thank you, noell!! Imagine! Taking your stuff to your rooms/office/kitchen! Instead of just dropping everything the minute you come in the door. What a remarkable idea!
I am so glad to finally hear from someone else that does not have coats, shoes, mail, keys, leashes, purses, backpacks, etc. cluttering up your home's entrance. I have been complaining about these landing strips ever since I first read about them in AT. Obviously to no effect. But, I am very happy to know there are others that don't subscribe to this hideous, ridiculous idea.
@Ms. Pea - we don't use our entry way for that either. We have a console table that has family photos on it and off to the side there's a set of hooks for keys, but we make sure to never hang coats and bags there because while we appreciate the functionality of it, it never, ever, EVER looks as neat and clean as it does in the photos, and we're under no allusions that we can keep it that clean!
Thank you, too, goodpanda! My day is getting better and better! How satisfying to know I am not alone in this great, big landing-stripped, junked-up world.
Love the mirror in the main photo! *swoon* Does anyone know where that's from?
We don't have a landing strip either. We have a tiny broom closet where I hang a couple coats and store some shoes.
The keys and dog leash go in a pretty bowl.
@ annabeth: I'm pretty sure the mirror is from mitchell and gold. On sale on ruelala.com.
I'm also curious about the phone / key wall holder in the picture above, and the shoe storage! Where can I get it :)
please help lewis (and me!) out -
"Does anyone know where I could get the wooden shelf/mail holder in the top picture (top left part of the picture)?"
@Joan I have seen that before @ Ikea. Don't know what it was called or if they still have it.
we think that an entry is very important in developing
a feeling about the apartment or house.
we love mirrors and sculptural pieces that fascinate
the new visitor.
practicality is needed but glamour and charm are
equally significant.
hi! the main photo is my entryway. the mail sorter thingy is from ikea, the mirror was from j.c. penney (of all places) and the shoe rack was also from ikea. the hooks are from anthropologie and the chair is vintage. not sure of any if these things are still available, sorry!
I LOVE my landing strip. I finally got it the way I want it. Tucked behind the door out of sight is a shoe pocket organizer, hanging on the wall, that I use for hats, mitts and gloves. Under it on the floor are three Ikea shoe racks, identical to the one in the above photo. One is stacked atop a second one and the third is next to it, so two are on the floor. All my shoes and boots fit here. Above that is a very long wooden rack (a board with pegs that run the length of it, 7', I think). With a small square window between the hanging shoe pockets and the wooden rack there's just enough light to see everything. A mirror completes it. I love this spot. The window ledge holds keys and a small collection of odd bits: a rock painted with a scene of our local waterfall, a small wooden hand-painted local building and a piece of driftwood. It's easy to keep organized and I love the 'greeting factor' in this welcoming little spot.
I don't think that shoe rack is made any longer but here's a similar one. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30152638 The originals were $12/each.
I must take issue with Ms. Pea about landing strips being hideous. In the right setting they can work well, when they're tucked in out of the way. Landing strips are incredibly useful in some settings, it's just a matter of keeping it tasteful and clutter free. What works for us may not work for you but please don't slander these ideas that are successful for us. We seek solutions for tough spaces and gather inspiration in any way we can. I also hang all my clothes on the line and have found that there are actually ordinances against this practice in some areas of the country. Imagine!! Living without the smell of fresh sheets because a neighbor finds the practice unsightly? What next!
We have to have a landing strip otherwise it would take us forever to get out of the house since we'd need to locate all the bits and pieces. If you don't have something in the hallway where do you keep your keys/phone/wallet/dog leads/whistle/dog bags/telephone/post etc? I've love to rid ourselves of the stuff in the hallway but sadly it's not practical. I just try and keep it tidy!