Ask nearly any homeowner their biggest complaint about the layout of their house, and they’ll probably mention lack of space in entryways. Small entryways are a universal problem for those of us who own pre-built homes. Solving the problem requires creativity, a little persistence, and a positive attitude. In this post we’ll show you how Debbie tackled the problem of a tiny garage entryway.
The Challenge
Debbie’s compact 5X5 foot garage entryway had to handle traffic multiple times a day for a family of five. That includes three kids with school backpacks, winter coats, boots, hockey gear, dance bags, and karate uniforms. This space had to be both smart and hard working.
In addition, the entry is a hub for traffic going to the powder room, and leading into the kitchen. The goal was to preserve floor space and take advantage of vertical storage solutions. The seven-hook wall rack above was a perfect solution for coat storage.
Function + Beauty = Great Solutions
One of our mantras is that you can achieve a balance of function and beauty in your home. Both are equally important to us, and we hope they are to you as well. We’ve learned over the years that with a little persistence and creativity, you can solve virtually any challenge with beautiful results.
Debbie’s home has country flair, borrowing from Provençal and American farmhouse style. She brought that same vibe to her garage entry.
Bead Board and Vintage Elements
The entry is clad with bead board and chair railing. This keeps the space fresh looking and easy to clean.
Search antique and discount stores for key holders, trays, and shelves that work in your space.
The vintage-looking shelf is an important element. It provides a place to temporarily set wallets, keys, and coffee as people enter or leave. The shelf measures less than ten inches in depth so it doesn’t take up much valuable space.
Just beneath the shelf, heavy duty hooks hold backpacks.
The unique key-holder was made by Debbie’s mother, who painted and distressed a wood plaque, attached an aged door handle, and finished with rusted cup hooks. You can search online for sources of rusted and aged fixtures.
Vertical Storage
The best solution for containing and organizing paperwork was to hang clear wall pockets. Each kiddo is assigned one, and the fourth is for family paperwork. Debbie keeps them looking nice with file folders in fun colors and patterns.
The Results: A Vintage Theme Garage Entryway
With persistence and creativity, Debbie solved one of her home’s biggest challenges. Her garage entryway now serves as daily storage for coats, school paperwork, and backpacks, while maintaining valuable space for foot traffic. Her small entryway is both functional and attractive, and we call that a real win.
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