For years, the hallway in our home was simply a long, narrow pass-through. It was just a transition from one part of the house to the next. Walking through it was like hearing detectives on TV saying, “Nothing to see here, keep moving.”
But here’s the thing. Our house is small, and every inch of space counts. I started thinking, “Why can’t our hallway be an extra room?” I knew we couldn’t do anything too drastic, like turn it into a spare bedroom, but I did start to see its potential.
Fast forward to today, and our hardworking hallway now holds shoes, coats, hats, work bags, umbrellas, and dog leashes. It has tilt-out storage and even a small storage bench, perfect for sitting to put on shoes. There’s even a mirror that makes it easy to do a quick face check before heading out the door.
Start to See Your Hallway as a Valuable Part of Your Home
It’s easy to ignore a hallway. We spend so much time walking through it to reach more exciting destinations that we don’t pay it much attention.
For some, hallways become a gallery of family photos and artwork that doesn’t have any other place in the home. For others, it’s a blank, boring route to other rooms.
But it’s time to stop treating your hallway as an afterthought. IKEA, being the space-saving superstar that it is, knows exactly how to transform a basic hallway into a valuable asset. And although turning a hallway into an entryway is a popular go-to, there’s plenty more you can do with this too-often ignored space in your home.
IKEA Hallway Furniture Ideas That Combine Storage, Style and Function
A Classic: The Hallway as an Entryway
Our hallway is pretty narrow, so it made the most sense for us to use it as an extension of our entryway. We needed a place to put shoes, bags, and other essentials, and this seemed to be the perfect solution.
Whether your hallway is slim or wide, turning it into an entrance space is a great idea that can make your home more efficient and help you keep things tidy. Plus, it’s easy to customize it for your family.
For example, if you have children, hang hooks or shelves at kid-friendly heights so little ones can easily reach their belongings. And your front door doesn’t have to open directly into the hall for the space to work well. Our hallway is offset from our front door, a few steps after you enter our home.
A few staples can help your hallway become the hardworking entryway you’re looking for.
Wall Hooks
Hooks maximize vertical space, which is extra valuable in a hallway where floor space is likely limited. IKEA has tons of wall hook styles, from swiveling ones to adhesive options perfect for rentals or surfaces that don’t like screws.
KÄMPIG Swivel Hook
Make the most of your wall space with this three-arm swivel hook. Swing each hook a different way to hold a coat, hat, and purse all in one place.
SKOGHALL Adhesive Hooks
If you’re in a rental or you have walls that aren’t easy to screw into, then self-adhesive hooks are a game-changer. Each hook holds a little over 4 pounds, making them great for light jackets, hats, dog leashes, and similar items.
TJUSIG Vertical Hanger
Is your hallway on the shorter side? Don’t waste any opportunity for more storage! A vertical hook rack offers more hanging potential when wall space is tight.
Storage Benches
A storage bench is an entryway classic. It’s the perfect spot to take off and put on shoes while also providing an extra place to stash items. If you’re dealing with a narrow hallway, look for slim styles with flip-top lids instead of drawers, or opt for a simple open storage base.
OMMJÄNGE Bench
This colorful storage bench makes a statement and adds a dash of playfulness to your hallway. Use it for bulky coats, shoes, or anything else you prefer to stay out of sight.
TOLKNING Rattan Bench
Imagine coming home to an organized entryway that feels warm and inviting, thanks to this beauty. This rattan bench with storage creates a cozy vibe thanks to the natural materials.
PERJOHAN Pine Bench
If you like to keep things simple, a sleek storage bench might be all you need in your hallway. Keep a few essentials in the bottom, and leave the top free for a place to sit.
Shoe Storage
When your hallway doubles as your entryway, shoe storage is a must to avoid a pile of shoes cluttering up the floor. Choose from tons of styles, with closed storage or open shelves, depending on how you like to stow your kicks.
GULLABERG Shoe Cabinet
This tilt-out shoe cabinet adds a bit more sophistication to your hallway. The slim drawers give you an extra spot for things like sunglasses, keys, and mail.
MACKAPÄR Sliding Door Shoe Storage
Have a really narrow hallway that makes traditional drawers or doors a challenge? This shoe cabinet with sliding doors has you covered!
VASSKÄR Bamboo Shoe Rack
A simple bamboo shoe rack is all you need to keep a few pairs of shoes at the ready. The open shelves allow shoes to air out, and you can stack two racks for extra storage.
Hallway Combination Pieces
If you’re really limited on space in your hallway, consider IKEA finds that combine different purposes into one functional piece. Here are just a few examples.
GREJIG Wall Storage
For more flexible hallway storage, consider pieces that offer more configuration options. These light, airy baskets save space while allowing you to create storage that suits your space and unique needs.
NIPÅSEN Coat Rack and Bench
This hardworking coat rack and bench does it all, with a place for shoes, coats, and more. The built-in bench also gives you a place to sit for a spell.
RÅGRUND Chair and Rack
Think outside the box for hallway storage and borrow a piece from the bathroom! This chair and towel rack would be perfect for a small hallway. It gives you a lower shelf for some shoes, a place to sit, and with a few S-hooks on the rails, a place to hang hats and jackets.
Slim Console Tables
Including a slim console table in your entryway gives you a spot to organize mail, keys, and on-the-go essentials. There are so many styles to choose from that it’s easy to find something that fits your hallway and design preference.
PANGET Console Table
This console table with drawers offers a mix of open and closed storage, plus ample surface space for a lamp, a mail basket, or a key tray. It provides an extra opportunity for organization, since you can assign each drawer to a different purpose.
JÄTTESTA Side Table
It might be a side table, but the slim, open design of this piece also makes it a great contender for a hallway console. You can always add decorative baskets to this piece to give it some hidden storage.
LACK Console Table
The LACK console is an IKEA legend, featuring a simple, straightforward design that’s ideal for slim spaces. It provides storage and surface space, adding extra functionality to your hallway. Want a custom version? Try this console table hack.
Mirrors and More
Give your hallway that extra something special with a few add-ons. A mirror for last-minute prepping, a quirky hall tree, or a message board can take your hallways from ho-hum to fantabulous.
IKORNNES Table Mirror
Hang this table mirror on the wall, and the stand becomes an instant mini-shelf. It turns out to be just right for sunglasses or other small essentials you need to grab before you run out the door.
BONDSKÄRET Hall Tree
A hall tree is an entryway icon, and this one from IKEA is super fun with its vibrant yellow hue. Standing coat racks are a great option when you can’t screw into walls or simply have limited wall space.
SKÅDIS Pegboard System
Turn your hallway into command central with one simple addition: an IKEA pegboard. It’s the perfect place to hang notes, mail, and more. Plus, with the accessories, you can even add shelves and containers to increase the possibilities.
The Hallway That Goes Beyond an Entryway
What if your hallway isn’t near your home’s entrance? It might not make sense to turn it into an entryway, although you could certainly use it for shoe storage, coats, and the like. But is that all? Nope!
If you need more ways to make your hallway feel like part of your home but don’t want to use it as an entranceway, here are a few ideas to help get the inspiration flowing!
A Cozy Book Nook
All you need for a reading nook is a comfy place to lounge or sit, lighting, and a good book (and maybe a place to hold some snacks). It’s easy to create book nooks in small places.
Before we turned our hallway into an entry zone, I actually used it as a quiet escape for reading. I had a set of tall shelves for books, and positioned a storage bench below a wall sconce.
This reading nook hack from Marie-Claude could also work in a hallway. If you need to minimize it, use a comfy, oversized cushion or pillow instead of a bench.
Mount LEDs on the shelves or on the wall, and use the tops of the low shelves to hold a cup of tea. Or, consider a small table, or if space is at a premium, mount a narrow wall shelf and use it as a table.
Hideaway Home Office
Recreate this hack from Marc to add a home office in your hallway. They incorporated a fold-out desk into a PAX wardrobe to make a hideaway office.
You still get plenty of storage, too, making it a win-win. You could do a similar look with slim shelves and a fold-out desk in between. Tuck a small stool under the desk or slide a folding chair alongside the shelving, and add some lighting to complete the project.
No room for a chair? Raise the fold-out surface to create a standing desk instead.
The Hallway as a Flex Entertaining Space
Don’t need your hallway for an office, storage, or a reading nook? Why not keep an open mind and leave your hallway free and clear for ever-changing possibilities? Here are a few examples of how we’ve used our hallway to have some extra fun at home (and you can, too)!
- When my son was going through his golf phase, we rolled out an indoor putting green and used the hallway to practice our skills.
- At Halloween, the space becomes a haunted hallway, complete with floating candles, spooky pictures, and black lights.
- The hallway is the ideal size to enjoy some indoor bowling.
No matter how you decide to transform your hallway, it’s time to treat it as a valuable part of your home instead of wasted space. Have fun turning this transitional zone into a real stunner with hallway decorating ideas and personalized touches that enhance your home’s overall function and beauty.