Having awkward space in your entryway can be great for setting up a Christmas tree, but after all of the decorations have been packed away, you're left with just useless square footage. Or, at least, I was. My problem was sort of a nice one: I have two entrances to my apartment. The back door is the one we use daily. The front door? Just leads to the mailbox.
With no need for a landing zone by the front door, I figured I would just shove some kind of storage cabinet against the wall, which was totally unnecessary, considering the neighboring storage closet. Then, it occurred to me that a correspondence center would be the perfect solution for the awkward space.
The best part about creating this set-up, is everything I put together was already in my possession. I'm a chronic thrift store shopper, and in the past year I had collected the desk, chair, baskets, and artwork. The small desk was something I had wanted to use in my office, but it was just too small to be functional and tidy. Though, a small desk is actually perfect for a mail center.
Goodwill usually has loads of baskets for sale, and I found two that are the perfect size to organize mail by importance. An old industrial steel box stores stamps and inkpads. Inside the desk drawer is where I keep all of the stuff that isn't so pretty. Not wishing to lose any of the desk surface for lighting, I decided to move a floor lamp from my living room to the entryway. The very last touch was adding a rug, finally giving my guests an area for their shoes when they come inside. Voilà! The empty space is now filled, and I feel much more organized.
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Comments (19)
Dual entryways means dual feng shui powerpoints. I like what you did with your desk!
That's a great idea. Another solution, although not as good for your situation, would be a reading nook, with a dog bed under the table that holds the reading lamp. That's what I did in the corresponding space in my home, and it's very cozy.
having empty square footage i'm not already using is only a pipe dream for me and my tiny one bedroom flat.
LOVE this rug.
where can i find?
Anyone have any suggestions for the tight front hall way of an apartment? A normal console table would have the door banging into constantly and there is no room for anything behind the door because of the front hall closet and laundry room. I'd appreciate any suggestions because a landing strip is NECESSARY in my home!
lala: The rug was purchased from Urban Outfitters two years ago.
CraigslistDec: It's hard to visualize your space. But my brother had an awkward entry and used lockers: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/organizing/a-bachelor-pad-landing-strip-three-men-lots-of-shoes-136399
Raak lamp...sweet!
@ Craigslist - I have the same problem in my little house. I like the lockers, but I want to sell in the Spring, have you come across any other ideas?
love the desk..sigh!
Given that virtually all "correspondence" is done electronically these days, I foresee a LOT of dust on this sucker in 6 months.
What is the curtain on the right? It is lovely. I have never seen curtain-on-door executed so well.
Craigslistdecorator, I do not have any room for a console in my front entryway either. I got a stall shoe cabinet because it was not very deep, but it ended up crowding the space too. I recently got elfa and turned my front closet into a landing strip. I do not have a store near me so got it designed over the phone and love it!
In answer to the narrow hallway. My daughter purchased a narrow white storage piece from Ikea. It has two front fold down storage spaces that she uses for shoes, boots, etc. Not sure what it is called, but it looks and functions nicely.
LOVE the desk! Such a great area for mail and writing notes.
I like the mix of color and patterns here
@CraigslistDecorator: I had the same problem in my apartment and was thinking about getting a shoe cabinet when I found this at Target:
http://bit.ly/gCZahY
I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but I love it! It's narrow enough to not block anything and there is room in the drawers for all of my scarves, hats, etc.
Oh yeah — I love the bird art on the wall! Is that a thrift store find?
Mime: The door directly left of the desk is a closet, and on the wall to the left of the desk (perpendicularly) is the front door to the apartment. Then, to the right of the desk is a nook with book shelves. I put thrifted lace curtains on two pivoting right angle curtain rods to give that area some visual privacy.
I love the idea of a place to sit and do something meaningful. It gives value to letter writing and is another fun surface area to display some lovely pieces! Great idea, Mandi!