We know what you’re thinking - “wait, don’t all homes have an entryway?” If you’re defining an entryway as simply “the place where your front door opens up to”, then you would be right on a technicality. But an entryway in terms of interior design is a distinct area all unto itself, one that allows for a lot of storage opportunities throughout the entire front area of the house. In a lot of cases, homes (especially more recently-built ones) don’t have a designated entryway area. There’s just an area where the front door opens up into the rest of the house, and then...that’s it! This is a huge wasted opportunity to add more home storage furniture into an area that, perhaps, needs it the most - think about the last time you lost your purse or the kids couldn’t find their backpack in time to get out the door, and you’ll know what we’re talking about. If you want to set up your own entryway, the first (and perhaps) biggest step is to define the space. By knowing where your new entryway starts and stops, you can then plan out the extra steps like storage space and furniture layout. One of our favorite ways to create an entryway that we’ve seen is by using bookcases to create ‘walls’ around where the entryway would be. This creates an effect similar to a vestibule or a divider, while still adding additional space for storage and decor, even if you just want to show off some of your favorite books to visitors. If you’re worried about taking up vertical space, you could also line the area with entryway benches to help create a defined entryway where there wasn’t one before. After that, the next move is to add storage. The whole point of an entryway is to help organize things that you either need as you leave the house, or to store stuff that you’re bringing back with you when you get back home. As close to the door as possible, set up a couple coat hooks and mail organizers so you always know where your jacket, keys, and bills are supposed to go. (Yes, some people still get bills in the mail, and they’re just as easy to lose as they’ve always been.) If you have a lot of winter boots that need to get organized, some shoe racks might come in handy, and an entryway table can help further define the space and give you a safe place to keep your sunglasses. Finally, the trick is to get everyone in the habit of using it. If you come from a house that didn’t have an entryway to begin with, everyone there has probably gotten used to having to keep their jackets and backpacks somewhere else (probably that chair in the living room - it’s okay, we all have one), but now is the time to start turning over a new leaf! Set up landing pads for everyone in the house so they know which coat hook is theirs, and make sure they all start using it regularly enough for it to become second nature. It might take a second, but it will be worth it!