If you have a busy household, you’re probably all too familiar with the daily battle in your entryway: school bags dumped on the floor, coats overflowing on a single hook, shoes scattered everywhere, and that general sense of chaos that greets you before you’ve even stepped fully inside. It’s the kind of clutter that instantly raises your stress levels and makes mornings feel far more hectic than they need to be.
But what if you could turn that messy drop-zone into a streamlined, functional cloakroom—without needing to extend your home or spend a fortune?
Whether you have a tiny entrance hall, an unused corner, or the luxury of a dedicated space, the right organisational approach and smart storage solutions can transform your entryway into a calm, family-friendly cloakroom that keeps everything tidy and easy to find.
Here’s how to create a functional cloakroom that works for your family (and your sanity).
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1. Identify the Pain Points Before You Start
Every household has different routines, so start by observing what actually causes the daily mess.
Ask yourself:
• Where do coats end up?
• Do children struggle to reach existing hooks?
• Are there enough places for shoes?
• Do school bags get packed in the morning or at night?
• Do you need space for sports kits, helmets, or swim bags?
Understanding your family’s habits helps you design a cloakroom that fits your real life—not the perfect Pinterest image.
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2. Clear the Entryway First
Before organising, strip the hallway back to basics. Remove:
• old coats
• mismatched shoes
• bags that are no longer used
• broken umbrellas
• sports gear that has long been forgotten
Decluttering gives you a clean slate and reveals how much storage your family actually needs.
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3. Create a “Drop Zone” That Works for Your Family
A functional cloakroom starts with a dedicated drop zone: the place where items get put down the moment someone walks through the door.
A good drop zone includes:
• a space for coats
• a space for shoes
• a space for bags
• a space for keys, letters, and everyday bits
The secret to an organised home isn’t eliminating clutter—it’s giving clutter a home.
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4. Install Hooks at the Right Heights (Especially for Kids)
One of the biggest mistakes families make is installing hooks too high. Children then throw their coats on the floor because they can’t reach.
Create a layered hook system:
• Lower hooks for younger kids
• Mid-level hooks for older children
• Upper hooks for adults
Make sure there are enough hooks for:
• winter coats
• school coats
• PE kits
• backpacks
• handbags
• scarves
You can never have too many hooks in a family home.
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5. Choose Shoe Storage That Can Handle Real Life
Shoes multiply faster than anyone expects. Between school shoes, trainers, football boots, wellies, and sandals, one family can quickly accumulate an entire mountain.
The best solutions depend on your space:
For small entryways:
• slimline shoe cabinets
• vertical shoe towers
• under-bench baskets
• stackable crates
For larger cloakrooms:
• cubby shelves
• built-in benches with pull-out drawers
• labelled baskets
And for muddy boots:
• a waterproof tray or mat
• a washable outdoor shoe crate
Make sure shoes have a designated “home” so they don’t drift back into the hallway.
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6. Add a Storage Bench for Style + Function
A bench is one of the most effective cloakroom additions. It provides:
• a place to sit when putting on shoes
• hidden storage inside
• a visual anchor that keeps the area tidy
Choose from:
• lift-up benches
• benches with cubby holes
• benches with baskets underneath
A bench helps children become more independent—and makes the space feel purposeful.
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7. Give Each Family Member Their Own Space
When everything gets thrown together, nothing stays tidy for long. Assign each person:
• a hook
• a basket
• a shelf
• or a cubby
Labelling helps enormously:
• names for each child
• icons for younger children
• colour-coded baskets
This simple system reduces arguments, lost items, and morning chaos.
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8. Create Storage for Bags and School Essentials
School bags are often the biggest hallway offenders. Instead of letting them get dumped anywhere, give them a designated place.
Try:
• deep wall hooks
• individual lockers or cubbies
• a large open basket for PE kits
• a bag shelf above the coat hooks
• an “in and out” tray for letters, homework, and forms
If there’s space, create a homework station or charging station nearby to keep technology and school materials organised.
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9. Use Vertical Space for Extra Storage
Even the smallest entryway can be transformed using vertical storage.
Try adding:
• shelves above coat hooks
• high-level cupboards for seasonal items
• floating shelves for baskets
• over-door hooks
• pegboards for hats, scarves, and accessories
Vertical storage reduces floor clutter and maximises every inch of space.
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10. Keep Everyday Essentials in One Secure Place
Busy families lose keys, wallets, and phones regularly. Create a small, reliable catch-all station.
This might include:
• a bowl for keys
• a tray for letters
• hooks for lanyards
• a small drawer for chargers
• a command centre for schedules, calendars, or reminders
When essentials have a home, mornings become far less stressful.
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11. Make Room for Seasonal Items
Seasonal belongings can overwhelm a cloakroom if they’re all stored together year-round.
Use high shelves or lidded boxes to rotate:
• winter boots
• hats and gloves
• summer sandals
• beach bags
• waterproofs
• sports gear
Switching items out each season keeps the space manageable.
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12. Use Baskets for Quick Clean-Ups
Baskets are the superhero of any functional cloakroom. They hide clutter instantly and make resetting the area quick and easy.
Use baskets for:
• loose shoes
• scarves and hats
• dog accessories
• umbrellas
• school gear
• sports kits
Choose durable materials that can withstand family life.
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13. Keep the Floor Clear for Instant Calm
A cluttered floor makes an entryway feel chaotic. Keep the ground as clear as possible by using:
• wall hooks
• shelves
• vertical shoe storage
• under-bench baskets
• mounted peg rails
A clear floor sets the tone for an organised home.
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14. Maintain with a Simple Daily Reset
Even the best cloakroom needs a quick daily tidy to stay functional.
A 2-minute routine is enough:
• shoes go into baskets
• coats onto hooks
• letters into trays
• bags into cubbies
Teach children to reset their own spaces—it builds independence and reduces mess.
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Final Thoughts
A functional cloakroom is one of the most effective ways to reduce daily stress in a busy family home. With the right hooks, storage solutions, benches, baskets, and zones tailored to your family’s routine, you can transform your entryway from cluttered chaos into a calm, organised space that supports your day.
No more tripping over shoes.
No more lost school bags.
No more visual clutter greeting you at the door.
Just a system that works—every single day.