The Organized Home Entryway: Console Tables & Benches

Today we’re going to look at the different parts of creating a good home entryway.

Having an organized home entryway can spiffy up your entire house. One, it’s the first thing you see when you walk in, and can set your whole home mood. Two, it keeps items that shouldn’t be all over the place, in one simple place. Three, you’ll lose things less (think keys.

In order to set up a decent home entryway, the first thing you’ll need is a focal location for collecting gear. Ideally, you need one basic entryway piece, that’s large enough for the whole family. A table, a dresser-like system, or a cubbie solution. Something with hide-away drawers is preferable to open space (it looks tidier).

Following are some options:

A basic, but lovely Barnwood Sideboard from Woodland Creek Furniture & Gallery. Items from this shop are built to last and can be custom sized. I love this one, because of all the little drawers – one for mail, one for keys, and so on.

Aristo Halifax Brown Console Table – a little more sleek (maybe for couples without kids, or with well behaved ones).

You could go with a bench style piece. The issue here is less top storage, but then kids can sit and pull off shoes. If you choose a bench, look around and see if you can find one with underneath storage, and assume that you’ll need a wall hanging place, or an additional table for items like keys. This Batavia – Entryway Bench w/ Basket is a good example of a bench with some extra storage.

If you go with a bench type entryway piece, it’s best to get one that combines all elements – cubbie, bench, shelves, and so on. This Brady 4-Piece Open Entryway Suite from Pottery Barn is a great example of a multifunctional entryway piece.

If you want something ultra simple, this Cubbie with Bench is perfect, although it is less suited to adults.

Learn to make your own untreated wood console table. This one is really pretty and rustic looking. Plus it’s got those pull out drawers.

Next we’ll look at some other parts of an entryway set-up, including what to do if you have no room for a large entryway piece of furniture.