Small Hallway Makeover With Sanity Saving Storage Solutions

4 Materials
$100
1 Day
Easy

How I made the most of my home’s small entryway with some clever organizing ideas that maximize my under stairs storage and totally saved my sanity.

To create a ton of organization and storage space in my small hallway and use up the space under the stairs I used a variety of solutions. I combined hooks, totes, baskets, crates and lockers to have a custom storage solution for all my organizing needs. And the real gem is: it even looks great and is a perfect match to my home decor style.


Can you tell I am smitten with this latest project?

For the longest of time the empty space under my open stairs was the dumping ground for all things I didn’t have a home for. I dumped my vacuum cleaner, recyclable trash, shopping bags, shoes, halfway finished projects, coats, winter accessories and summer totes and so much more in my hallway. It was a mess and a complete eye sore. Not at all an inviting first view of my home.

The ugly before

An intervention was needed. After finally finishing the big painting job in this room, (all walls, ceiling, baseboards and the whole staircase got a fresh coat of paint) I got to work.



To an Organized Hallway in 7 steps

  1. I made an inventory of what I really needed to store in my hallway.
  2. I measured and surveyed the available space
  3. I gathered storage containers that I already had
  4. I made an inventory of what I still needed and hunted our version of Craigslist for them
  5. I gave the second hand items a little makeover to make them fit in with my design vision
  6. I put it all together
  7. I put away all my stuff and things in their designated spot
  8. I rejoiced and danced and smiled every time I got a glimpse of my now highly organized and pretty looking hallway


9. I was energized and inspired and started to plot more organizing projects in the hallway and elsewhere

10. My to-do list was longer after I finished the project than before. Story of my DIY life 😏 

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I really managed to make the most of my small hallway. It now serves the following functions: pantry, cleaning closet, coat rack, recyclables station, outdoor accessories organizer, toilet and kitchen paper stash keeper and wine bar 😅

Let me show you in some more detail how I did it.


Sanity Saving Storage Solutions

First of course is my designated space for coats and jackets. I added some nice vintage looking hooks- that I had purchased a lifetime ago – to a simple white painted board and mounted that to the wall.

Next to that I added two baskets. I simply used some washers and screws to attach them to the wall. By hanging the baskets directly on the wall I saved floor space and I didn’t need a closet or shelf unit to put the baskets in.



I used 4 small lockers to house my vacuum cleaner and to function mainly as my kitchen pantry. I also store some cleaning supplies in them and one shelf is dedicated for wine and other drinks. It is amazing how much these lockers can contain.


For a peek inside go to the original blog post....

Pretty and handy paper rolls storage

My stash of paper towels and toilet paper rolls is nicely hidden away in those baskets on top of the lockers.


The recyclables station consists of three parts. A tote for the glass and plastic bottles that need to go back to the grocery store, a beach bag for glass recycles and a crate on wheels for waste paper.

Of course I like the fact that it all looks good and fits in with my decorating style even better….


Tell me! Did I succeed in a pretty amazing makeover? Do you like my storage solutions? Did you see anything useful for your own home? I’d love to know!!!

Just shows that:


Other organizing projects you might like:


PRETTY WASHI TAPE ORGANIZER:


HOME OFFICE DRAWER ORGANISATION


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Marianne Songbird
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  1 question
  • Shuganne Shuganne on Feb 16, 2023

    The basket storage is so chic, while still being totally functional. Wow!


    I'm curious about the baskets attached to the wall. I'd love to see a picture of the hooks and how they are attached to the baskets. How long have you had this installed? Have you noticed any sagging or strained weaving where the hooks keep the baskets in place?

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  • Sandra Sandra on Feb 22, 2021

    Thank you, I would have sent pictures but this place is always in a disarray. I’ll look into your suggestions make a couple of wall cabinets out of cardboard boxes as soon as I get craft paper or spray paint to hide the small things. Thanks again......

  • Vona Giese Vona Giese on Mar 13, 2021

    Go to liquor store and get wine boxes. I trim the flaps off and stack, great for yarn.(wine too of course) I have a 3br. house and could fill it up with yarn easily. I love the leg extenders than raise beds about 6- 8", great for more storage underneath.

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