How to Create the Perfect Entryway Design

The Perfect Entryway Design – A Functional Storage System Is a Must!

Are you one of those people who spend a lot of time cleaning and organizing, but it still gets messy very quickly? Maybe it’s not entirely your fault. It could be your house layout making life difficult for you. Without a proper system that considers your storage needs, staying organized can feel impossible.

The entrance is actually one of the most important areas to design with a proper storage solution. Many designers and DIYers focus too much on making the entryway look good for that ‘wow factor.’ Sure, aesthetics are important, but if you can’t keep the space neat and functional, none of the pretty things will matter.

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What’s the Function of an Entryway? Define the Purpose

Think of an entryway like a harbor where ships dock to load and unload items. There are designated places for storage containers waiting to be shipped or received. Storage is essential at the harbor, and if it’s located too far from the port, it causes inconvenience.

Similarly, if your entryway lacks proper storage solutions nearby, your belongings won’t have a home, and things will quickly get messy.

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Items You Want to Store at the Entryway

An entryway is not just a space to walk in and out of the house. It often becomes one of the most multi-functional areas in the home.

This is where people:

• Get ready before leaving
• Welcome guests
• Collect parcels
• Receive food deliveries
• Take pets for a walk
• Clean up pets before entering
• Drop everyday items when coming home

Because of these daily activities, the entryway naturally becomes a transition zone between outside and inside life.

Before designing the layout, think about your routine.
Do you commute to an office? Exercise outdoors regularly? Need to drop off and pick up kids from school every day?

Your lifestyle determines what needs to live in this space.

Instead of thinking only about a shoe cabinet or coat rack, it helps to break the entryway into three spatial categories: fixtures, storage needs, and void or landing space.

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Major Categories to Consider in the Entry Layout

1. Fixtures (Built-in or Fixed Elements)

These are the permanent or semi-permanent elements in the entryway. They form the foundation of the layout.

Common entry fixtures include:

• Shoe cabinets or shoe racks
• Coat closets or wardrobes
• Wall hooks for bags and coats
• Bench seating for putting on shoes
• Mirror
• Wall shelves
• Umbrella stand
• Bike hooks or wall mounts

These elements usually handle larger and heavier items such as:

• Shoes
• Slippers
• Rain boots
• Large coats
• Hats
• Umbrellas
• Bags (shopping bags, school bags, beach bags)
• Sports equipment
• Baby pram
• Electric scooter
• Bike

Fixtures define where bulk items live so they don’t spill into the walkway.

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2. Storage Needs (Small Organised Storage)

Beyond large fixtures, the entryway also needs smaller organised storage for everyday essentials.

These are often placed inside drawers, trays, small cabinets, or wall organisers.

Typical items include:

Daily essentials

• Keys
• Wallet
• Watches
• Sunglasses
• Hand sanitiser
• Perfume
• Lip balm

Pet essentials

• Dog leash
• Dog poo bags

Weather protection

• Suncream
• Insect repellent

Household items

• Tissues or wipes
• Small tools

Safety items

• First aid kit
• Torch

Without dedicated storage for these small items, the entryway quickly becomes cluttered with random objects.

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3. Void & Landing Space (Drop Zones)

Not everything should be stored immediately. Some items only need a temporary landing space.

This area acts as a buffer between outside and inside life.

Examples include:

• A small console table for keys and parcels
• A tray or bowl for loose change
• A surface to place food delivery bags
• A spot for parcels before opening them
• A mail tray for letters

Typical items that land here include:

• Parcels
• Letters
• Loose change for delivery
• Temporary bags

Designing a landing zone prevents these items from spreading across the house.

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Standard Size & Storage Size for Entryway Items

Once you understand what needs to live in the entryway, the next step is working out how much space these items actually require. Many entry layouts fail simply because the storage depth or clearance wasn’t planned properly.

Below are some practical sizing guidelines designers often use when planning entryway storage.

Footwear Storage

Shoes are usually the largest category stored in the entry.

Typical shoe cabinet dimensions:

• Standard shoe depth: 280–320 mm
• Tilt shoe cabinet depth: 180–220 mm
• Shelf height: 150–200 mm per row

For larger footwear:

• Rain boots: 350–400 mm height
• Sports shoes: 180–220 mm height

Design tip:
If space is tight, a tilt shoe cabinet can work well in narrow hallways.

Coat & Outerwear Storage

Outerwear storage usually needs more depth than most people expect.

Typical dimensions:

• Coat closet depth: 550–600 mm
• Hanging height for coats: 1200–1400 mm
• Short jacket hanging height: 900–1000 mm

Additional accessories:

• Hat shelf height: 250–300 mm
• Umbrella stand footprint: 200–300 mm diameter

Bags & Everyday Carry Items

Bags often become clutter if not planned for.

Suggested storage size:

• Handbag shelf height: 250–300 mm
• Backpack storage height: 350–450 mm
• Bag hook spacing: 150–200 mm per hook

If your household has kids, allocating a separate hook or cubby per person can make a big difference.

Sports & Outdoor Equipment

These items vary a lot in size, but some general guidelines help when allocating space.

Typical clearances:

• Baby pram parking space:
  approx. 600–800 mm width × 900–1100 mm depth
• Electric scooter:
  approx. 200–300 mm width × 1000–1200 mm height
• Bike wall mount space:
  approx. 600 mm width × 1100–1300 mm height

Small Essentials Storage

Daily items like keys and sunglasses don’t need large cabinets, but they do need a designated organised spot.

Recommended sizes:

• Drawer depth: 300–400 mm
• Tray organiser size: 200–300 mm wide
• Key hook spacing: 80–100 mm per hook

A shallow drawer or tray near the door works well for:

• Keys
• Wallet
• Sunglasses
• Watches
• Lip balm
• Hand sanitiser

Pet Storage

If you have pets, allocating a small zone near the entry can make daily routines easier.

Typical sizes:

• Leash hook height: 900–1100 mm
• Pet drawer or basket: 200–300 mm height

Common items stored:

• Dog leash
• Dog poo bags
• Towels for muddy paws

Parcel & Landing Space

Every entryway benefits from a small drop zone.

Recommended sizes:

• Console table depth: 300–400 mm
• Landing tray size: 250–350 mm

This area works for:

• Parcels
• Letters
• Loose change
• Food delivery bags

Circulation Space (Often Forgotten)

Even if you add plenty of storage, the entryway still needs comfortable walking space.

Minimum recommendations:

• Comfortable walkway width: 900–1100 mm
• Small entry minimum clearance: 750–800 mm

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Creating a Logical Entryway Workflow

Once you understand the items that belong in the entryway and the storage sizes they require, the next step is organising them into a clear workflow.

A well-designed entry layout should follow how people actually move through the space — from outside to inside. Instead of randomly placing cabinets and hooks, the entry should guide a natural sequence: arrive → unload → organise → move into the home.

Thinking about the space this way makes the entry feel calmer and prevents clutter from spreading further into the house.

1. Outdoor & Bulky Items First

Items that are large, dirty, or only used outdoors should be handled before entering the main interior space.

This usually includes things from the sports and outdoor gear category, such as bikes, scooters, or prams. If possible, these should be stored outside, in a garage, or immediately beside the entry.

The main idea is to prevent bulky objects from blocking the entry circulation area.

For example:

• A bike wall hook may require around 600 mm width and 1100–1300 mm height
• A pram parking space can take roughly 600–800 mm width

These items should always sit closest to the exterior boundary of the entry.

2. Footwear at the Door

The next layer in the workflow is footwear.

Shoes are usually the first item removed when entering the home, so shoe storage should be placed immediately beside the door.

This keeps outdoor dirt contained and prevents shoes from travelling deeper into the house.

Depending on the layout, this may include:

• A shoe cabinet
• Open shelves
• A compact tilt shoe unit for narrow hallways

Because shoe cabinets are typically 280–320 mm deep, they can fit comfortably along most entry walls without blocking circulation.

3. Outerwear and Bags

After removing shoes, people usually remove outerwear and bags.

This category includes coats, hats, and everyday bags. These items should sit just past the footwear zone, usually using hooks, hanging rails, or shallow wardrobes.

Hooks work well here because they allow quick access for frequently used items. Many homes also allocate one hook or cubby per family member, which keeps the space organised.

At this stage of the workflow, most of the bulky or visible items have already been stored.

4. Landing Space for Daily Essentials

Once shoes and outerwear are off, the next step is dealing with small everyday items.

This is where a landing surface becomes important. A small console table, shelf, or tray gives you a place to drop things like keys, wallets, or sunglasses.

Without a landing zone, these small items tend to migrate to kitchen benches or living room tables.

Landing surfaces typically only need about 300–400 mm depth, which makes them easy to integrate even in compact entryways.

This space also doubles as a temporary spot for mail, parcels, or food deliveries.

5. Organised Storage for Secondary Items

Finally, items that are used occasionally but still belong near the entry can be stored in drawers or cabinets slightly further into the space.

This includes things from categories such as:

• Pet essentials
• Safety and emergency items
• Weather protection
• Household supplies

Because these items are not used every time you enter the house, they can sit behind the landing surface or inside cabinets.

This keeps the main entry area visually calm while still keeping everything accessible.

A Simple Way to Visualise the Entry Flow

A well-planned entryway usually follows this order:

Outdoor gear → footwear → outerwear & bags → landing surface → organised storage → interior circulation

When arranged in this sequence, the entryway supports everyday routines naturally and prevents clutter from building up.

Instead of constantly tidying the entry, the layout itself helps keep things organised.

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Nice-to-Have Features in the Entryway

Beyond the standard entry essentials, a few additional features can make the space more comfortable and practical for everyday life. These are not must-haves, but they can greatly improve how the entryway functions.

Seating Area
A small bench or seat makes it easier to put on or remove shoes, especially for families or anyone wearing boots regularly. It also provides a moment to pause before heading out.

Good Lighting
Entryways often lack natural light, so proper lighting helps the space feel welcoming and safe. Wall lights, a ceiling light, or motion-sensor lighting can make arriving home much more comfortable.

Charging Station
A small charging spot for phones, smartwatches, or earbuds can be convenient near the entry. It creates a natural place to leave devices when arriving home.

Picnic & Outdoor Items
If you regularly go to parks or outdoor activities, having a small space for items like picnic rugs or outdoor accessories near the door makes them easy to grab when heading out.

Recycling & Donation Items
Some households keep a small basket or box for recyclables that need to be taken out, or items ready to donate. Keeping them near the entry makes it easier to remember to take them when leaving.

Simple Cleaning Items
Basic cleaning items such as a shoe brush, wipes, or a small cloth can be useful for quickly cleaning shoes or clothing before entering the rest of the home.

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Best Location for the Entryway

Where should the entryway be?
It might sound obvious – “at the front of the house,” right? But what I really mean is your real entryway – the one you actually use most often.

Many houses in Australia have multiple entry points, and some people prefer using the garage door, side door, or another entrance. So, your front door might not be your main port of entry.

Pick the door you use the most to plan your storage system.

• If you’re planning a new build, consider the purpose of each entry and place it near frequently used spaces like the office, laundry room, or kitchen. You might have multiple entryways, but focus on the one used most often.
• If you have pets, placing the entryway near the laundry room can be helpful for cleaning them before they enter the house.
• If you play sports like golf, having storage near the garage and entry is convenient.
• If you want convenience for groceries, an entryway close to the kitchen makes unloading groceries and packing lunch boxes easier.

For existing homes, changing the layout isn’t always possible. In that case, place your storage where people naturally enter the house first.

If the kitchen often becomes the dumping ground, consider adding entry storage near or inside the kitchen area.

Some homes also have multiple entry points. Think about how each entrance is used — for example the front door for guests, or the garage door for everyday family use — and plan your fixtures and storage around those routines.

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The Functional Layout: Storage Cabinet vs Storage Room

Depending on your lifestyle and what you need to store at the entrance, decide how large your storage space should be:

• For shoes and small items, a slim cabinet works best.
• For outdoor gear and hobby items, consider a walk-in storage room or a semi-open setup without doors to make getting things in and out easier.

Special Tip: If possible, place a piece of art or a stylish console table as the first thing you see when entering. This creates a welcoming focal point, instead of being greeted by an endless hallway or a full view of the entire house.

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A well-planned entryway isn’t just about adding a shoe cabinet or coat rack. It’s about understanding how your household moves in and out of the home, and creating a layout that supports those daily routines.

By thinking through what needs to be stored, how much space those items require, and arranging them in a logical flow, the entryway can become a much calmer and more functional space.

Of course, redesigning custom joinery isn’t always realistic for every home. The good news is that you can still make meaningful improvements with furniture. In my case, I recently refreshed my own entryway using IKEA pieces.

One of my favourite budget-friendly options is the IKEA Platsa system. It’s highly flexible and can be configured to store both shoes and clothing, making it a great solution for upgrading an entryway without committing to full custom cabinetry.

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