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Run Out of Space in Your Hallway? Ditch These Now
Clear the decks for a more streamlined entrance
As home to all manner of items, a hardworking hallway has to pack a lot into a small area. Check out these ideas to see what you could re-home to free up valuable space.
…or try a rail and hangers instead of a coat stand or hooks for a neat look.
Check out these tips for decluttering your wardrobe
Check out these tips for decluttering your wardrobe
The random bits and bobs
As the first room you enter when you get home, the hall can inevitably become a dumping ground for scarves, hats, letters, dog leads, shopping bags, lunch boxes – the list goes on.
Clear the decks with a row of matching bags or baskets on hooks to bring order to the chaos. You could designate one to each member of the family, or sort by type (hats and scarves in one, school stuff in another and so on). And raising everything off the floor instantly creates a more spacious feel.
As the first room you enter when you get home, the hall can inevitably become a dumping ground for scarves, hats, letters, dog leads, shopping bags, lunch boxes – the list goes on.
Clear the decks with a row of matching bags or baskets on hooks to bring order to the chaos. You could designate one to each member of the family, or sort by type (hats and scarves in one, school stuff in another and so on). And raising everything off the floor instantly creates a more spacious feel.
The shedload of shoes
Would the number of shoes in your hallway put a caterpillar to shame? Find alternative homes for those that aren’t being worn every day, then get some suitable storage to keep the remainders in order.
Would the number of shoes in your hallway put a caterpillar to shame? Find alternative homes for those that aren’t being worn every day, then get some suitable storage to keep the remainders in order.
The wide storage bench
Narrow hallways and wide cupboards are not a match made in practical heaven. But a bank of narrow cabinets takes up much less space while still offering plenty of storage. And the fact that they’re not too deep should mean ancient football boots, broken umbrellas and solitary slippers are less likely to stay forgotten about at the back, and can be dealt with accordingly.
Check out the colourful hallway in this family home
Narrow hallways and wide cupboards are not a match made in practical heaven. But a bank of narrow cabinets takes up much less space while still offering plenty of storage. And the fact that they’re not too deep should mean ancient football boots, broken umbrellas and solitary slippers are less likely to stay forgotten about at the back, and can be dealt with accordingly.
Check out the colourful hallway in this family home
The piles of post
It comes through the letterbox, sits on the floor, makes it onto the windowsill, then lives on the stairs for a while before finally being dealt with. Sound familiar? Find a designated spot for mail instead, with a letter tray and pens, so you can deal with stuff as it comes in. Or, if you can’t deal with it straight away, at least you’ll know where you’ve put it.
It comes through the letterbox, sits on the floor, makes it onto the windowsill, then lives on the stairs for a while before finally being dealt with. Sound familiar? Find a designated spot for mail instead, with a letter tray and pens, so you can deal with stuff as it comes in. Or, if you can’t deal with it straight away, at least you’ll know where you’ve put it.
The bike
It’s a big one to tackle, but there are options that don’t include your bike being propped against the radiator in the hallway. From secure storage outside (whether in the front garden, a shed, or a council-owned street Bikehangar – check with your local authority if these are an option in your area) to a rack on the wall in another room, a proper home for a bike will be a worthwhile investment to ensure a smoother hallway ride.
It’s a big one to tackle, but there are options that don’t include your bike being propped against the radiator in the hallway. From secure storage outside (whether in the front garden, a shed, or a council-owned street Bikehangar – check with your local authority if these are an option in your area) to a rack on the wall in another room, a proper home for a bike will be a worthwhile investment to ensure a smoother hallway ride.
The multiple umbrellas
You’re out, it starts to chuck it down, you haven’t got your umbrella so end up having to buy an emergency one. You take it home and put it with… that’s right, all the other emergency umbrellas.
Have a cull, then either put one in your bag so you don’t get caught out again, or find a smart umbrella stand you can put right next to the front door, where your brolly is less likely to get forgotten.
You’re out, it starts to chuck it down, you haven’t got your umbrella so end up having to buy an emergency one. You take it home and put it with… that’s right, all the other emergency umbrellas.
Have a cull, then either put one in your bag so you don’t get caught out again, or find a smart umbrella stand you can put right next to the front door, where your brolly is less likely to get forgotten.
The console table
In need of an extra surface for keys, phone or decorative items such as candles and vases? If space is tight, consider a shelf above a radiator instead of trying to shoehorn in a table.
In need of an extra surface for keys, phone or decorative items such as candles and vases? If space is tight, consider a shelf above a radiator instead of trying to shoehorn in a table.
The mini scooters
Cute for kids, not so cute for the adults having to navigate around them to get to the front door. Consider a secure shed outside to house them in, or explore the space under the stairs to see if any of it could be converted into an extra storage cupboard.
Tell us…
Do you have any hallway clutter-minimising tips? Share them in the Comments section.
Cute for kids, not so cute for the adults having to navigate around them to get to the front door. Consider a secure shed outside to house them in, or explore the space under the stairs to see if any of it could be converted into an extra storage cupboard.
Tell us…
Do you have any hallway clutter-minimising tips? Share them in the Comments section.
We can only wear one coat at a time, but all too often hooks and racks become jam-packed with every type of jacket for every member of the family, giving a messy, chaotic look to the hall (as well as making the coat you actually want to wear tricky to find).
Have a sort through and store out-of-season styles elsewhere in your home, leaving only those you wear on a daily basis on display…