Transform A Small Hall Closet Into Functional Entryway Storage

Everyone wants an entryway closet that's both stylish and functional. Having an aesthetic wall-mounted coat hanger or key rack is great for storing small items, but what about when it comes to your hefty winter coats, backpacks, and bags? A small hall closet might be in the right area for you to turn it into an entryway closet, but it may not come with quite enough storage to suit all your needs. That's why you should consider DIYing a coat closet to better use your space by filling it with storage hooks, which may prove to be more useful.

First, you'll want to carefully remove any tension rods that are taking up space in your hall closet. These might seem handy for storing coats and bags at first, but they can quickly become cluttered with hangers. Fortunately, tension rods are easy to remove; simply shorten the rod by pressing inwards and down and pop it right off the wall. For closet shelves, just grab a screwdriver to carefully take the entire shelf system off the wall. Once that's done, prepare to add wall-mounted hooks throughout the closet to freely hang your favorite coats and bags. 

After you've removed your tension rod and shelf, you should be staring into a completely empty closet. First, you may need to fill any holes and/or paint the space. Then, figure out what height makes the most sense to mount hooks onto the wall. This will typically be right around the spot where your tension rod was — somewhere around 60 inches high – or wherever is most comfortable for you to access.

The easiest way to add wall-mounted hooks to your closet is simply by purchasing an appropriately-sized wall-mounted coat rack, like the VERTORGAN Wall-Mounted Coat Rack. This will create a much more intentional, custom look inside your closet because it provides a base for the hooks to be mounted on. You'll want to install these coat racks on all three walls of your closet (back and sides) for an even look that maximizes your storage space.

If you want to arrange your wall hooks yourself, you can always purchase individual coat rack hooks, like the ZBDPOVT Coat Hooks, and mount them yourself. These can be attached directly to a stud in the wall, or you can create your own custom coat rack by mounting them to a wooden board that is cut to fit your closet wall. Before you drill any holes into the wall of your entryway closet, pencil out your design to ensure the hooks will be level and even. Leave about 5 inches of space between each hook so you have enough room to hang coats from them. Be sure to use proper mounting tools if you're working with drywall. 

The best part about using hooks to transform your hall closet is the versatility it gives you. Want even more storage space? Install a second row of hooks below the first, and add another row of hooks on top. Or, leave the top part of the closet clear for an extra storage shelf — perfect for keeping seasonal items, decorations, hats, and bags. You could also install the hooks a little higher than you would normally and leave the bottom of the closet clear for a handy shoe rack – after all, not having a shoe rack is one of the biggest mistakes you could make with your coat closet. You might even want to create a miniature mud room inside your entryway closet by leaving space for a bench and rug you can use to change your shoes. 

Don't be afraid to play around with the type of wall hook you purchase. You might want smaller, more subtle hooks for side walls where you store small bags, keys, and jewelry. If you know you'll only be keeping your heaviest winter coats in the entryway closet, heavy-duty hooks like the Ambipolar Rustic Wall Hooks make the most sense. Even the tiniest sliver of wall can benefit from a long valet hook, the coat storage solution that's perfect for small spaces. Want your entryway closet to look extra stylish? Opt for subtle and elegant coat hooks, like the Umbra Wall-Mounted Rail, for a coat closet that looks so good you'll want to leave the door open all the time, or even remove it completely.