The Easiest Way to Hack an Entryway When You Don't Have One
Foyer, entry hall, whatever you prefer to call it—I don't have one. And as a New York City renter, I probably never will. But, you know what they say about first impressions (plus, we all need somewhere to hang our coats and bags), so in each apartment I've lived in, I always try to designate a distinct entry "area," whether that's a hallway, wall, or even just a tiny corner. By now, I've pretty much gotten it down to a science, and I realize the recipe for the perfect entry comes down to three things.
1.A useful furniture piece
Any real "room" has furniture, so in order to make your entry feel like its own room—even if it's a humble corner—you'll want at least one piece of furniture to ground it. In past apartments, I've opted for a console table with a tray for keys, etc. In my current place, I opted for something different: a bench. It's the perfect place to sit and put on or take off shoes—which fit neatly underneath, hiding clutter.
2. Hooks
The humble hook just may be the most important element of an entryway. In a small space without room to spare for a coat rack, they're game-changers. I found these vintage ones at Brimfield, the antique show in Massachusetts, but there are plenty of vintage options online at places like Etsy—or scour your local antique or flea market. I love the double hook style because they make more of a visual statement—and can hold twice as much stuff! I hung mine about 8 inches apart to give enough room for bulky coats. If you go the bench option and don't have a tabletop to toss keys, consider hanging hooks for your keys, too.
3. Art
Finally, the element that pulls this whole makeshift room together: art. Adding a large-scale art piece, somewhat counterintuitively, makes the space feel bigger, and gives it a sense of important more than just being "that corner where you throw your stuff."
Et voilà! A DIY entryway, in just three square feet.
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