Tuesday’s Space – Hallway Re-haul

Living in an old cape cod style home, we need to take advantage of every nook and cranny. I have been working hard to make small spaces functional yet decorative. If you have been following me for a while, then you have seen the small projects like Griffin’s Book Nook, My Sewing Space and Toy Tuck-Away that I completed to take advantage of those small spaces. My hallway has been on my mental list for a long time. This winter has really shown that we needed a more functional space in our hallway. So, in my effort to “organize more in 2011″, I figured it was time to tackle it.

Here is a before shot. This space left something to be desired. There was a box for storage and a basket for my knits but there was no real place to hang bags, jackets or a place for wet messy boots. Dirt collected on the floor and was then carried around the rest of the house.

I had a budget of $150.00 to redo the space. I knew what I wanted it to look like. I had inspiration for the look I wanted from Pottery Barn and ideas on the functionality part on Functional Home Design.

This is what I came up with…

I got a steal on the bench at Christmas Tree Shop. It is not a normal store I stop at, but I have been hitting thrift stores for 6 months now and haven’t seen a bench that would fit this space. It was very odd and not many benches are 19″ deep. This one happened to be, and a floor model, so I got a great deal. I added lined baskets to the bottom, a bamboo mat, a boot tray, coat racks and a shelf. I still haven’t added a picture of our family to the frame yet, LOL, but the one it came with is a very nice looking family!

Here is a before picture from the other angle.

There is an AC mounted in the window that can’t be moved. There is an odd wooden piece to finish off the window. It offers no function and seems a bit odd. Here is the after…

I added an extra coat rack at “Griff” level to give him a little more independence and a place to call his own. I also added a key rack to house stray sets of keys. And my favorite part, I painted that odd space next to the AC with chalkboard paint. This is a small place we can write inspiring love notes. I am very happy with this space. I hope that the functionality will keep the clutter at bay.

What are you doing to organize this winter?