DIY Entryway Storage Ideas: Easy DIY Storage Bench

Last Updated on March 17, 2026 by

Living in a small space often means getting creative with storage solutions, especially when it comes to the entryway. As the first impression of your home and the last stop before heading out, a well-organized entryway can make your daily routines smoother and your space feel more welcoming. Today, I’m excited to share some of our favorite small entryway ideas, including an easy DIY storage bench that’s been a game-changer for our New York City apartment.

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En Nuestra Casa

I spent hours on Pinterest and various blogs trying to find the perfect entryway design for our tight space. (Take a peek at my Entryway Inspiration Pinterest board here!) I knew I wanted a built-in look that wouldn’t take up too much space in our front entryway. It needed to be something with easy access for all our family members.

One of our biggest challenges was (of course) the lack of floor space, but also the lighting. Our entryway is probably the darkest place in our home. So while I’d love to “brighten” it up with some sort of decorative element like fresh flowers or a houseplant, the entryway is really the place where plants go to die en La Casa Almodovar.

Of course, a stylish and functional entryway will look different for every person and every home. But there are some very specific ingredients that make this all come together. Keep reading to find out more!

Essential Ingredients for a Functional Small Entryway

Before we dive into our DIY storage bench project, let’s talk about the key elements that make a small entryway both practical and inviting:

1. Wall hooks or a coat rack for hanging coats, bags, and hats
2. A console table or floating shelf to drop keys, wallet, and important papers
3. Shoe storage solutions like a shoe cabinet or boot tray
4. A dark rug that won’t show dirt (bonus if it’s machine washable! We love this one from Amazon.)
5. Good lighting to brighten up the space
6. A mirror for last-minute outfit checks
7. Seating to put on shoes comfortably

The Before: Maximizing a Smaller Space (DIY entryway storage ideas)

If you think our entryway now is tight, you should have seen it before! There was this weird corner closet thing that was really just a door of sorts attached diagonally between two corner walls. You could maybe stash a broom or hang a single coat in there (on a hook – no room for hangers!), but it was poorly designed and executed.

Our first step was to remove that corner “closet,” which honestly felt a little crazy considering it was one of only TWO closets in the entire apartment. But sometimes, less is more when it comes to small space organization. Taking out the corner closet really opened up the space in a whole new way, giving us a blank canvas to work with. Though the entryway is a little space, it’s actually the perfect size when configured optimally.

Shoe Storage: A Must-Have for Any Entryway

We knew from the beginning we wanted the IKEA Bissa shoe cabinets (and even DIY’ed a custom top for them at one point!). These cabinets are a great way to keep shoes organized without taking up too much floor space. Their low profile design makes them perfect for daily life in small entryways, and they provide plenty of storage for our family’s everyday footwear.

We started with just two of the 1×2 unit Bissa cabinets and recently upgraded to three of the 1×3 units to accommodate our growing family. (You know I love how small space living invites us to reassess our needs and adapt our home through different phases of life.) I can easily fit four pairs of shoes in a single “drawer,” and the entire cabinet nestles perfectly behind our front door. Shoe cubbies like this also make for a simply entryway console, and they give you so much storage space!

However, we still needed a place for guests’ shoes and a drop zone for our own shoes when we first walk in. I’m big on airing shoes out before confining them to an enclosed space where the stink grows (ew!). This need for a temporary shoe holding ground led us to our next big project: a DIY entryway storage bench.

DIY entryway storage ideas: The Perfect Solution for Small Spaces

Somewhere, somehow I dreamed up a bench that would function as temporary shoe storage, seating, and additional storage space. We wanted a bench that was deep enough to tuck shoes underneath but shallow enough that you wouldn’t bang your knees into it when you walked past. It needed to be a comfortable height for sitting with enough space underneath for shoes and enough space inside for storage bins. We thought about buying a bench, but to get the perfect dimensions and look, we opted to make some trips to Home Depot and create our own built-in bench.

Here’s a brief overview (keep reading for the full DIY) to creating your own DIY entryway storage bench:

1. Measure your space: Determine the ideal dimensions for your bench based on your available floor space and storage needs.
2. Choose your materials: We opted for sturdy wood that could withstand daily use. 
3. Build the frame: Create a simple box frame that will serve as the seat and storage bench.
4. Paint or stain: Choose a finish that complements your entryway decor.
5. Add storage bins: In retrospect, I wish we had found and measured specific storage boxes first to build the bench around, as it has been tricky to find the perfect sized box to fit inside. Consider this step before finalizing your bench dimensions!
6. Optional: Add cushioning to the top for more comfortable seating.

This DIY storage bench has become the perfect place to store things like the stroller rain cover, hats/gloves, sunscreen, tote bags, and other small items that we don’t need every day but want to keep handy. It’s also a great spot to sit and put on shoes, making our mornings run more smoothly.

How To: DIY Entryway Storage Bench

A DIY entryway storage bench in the little corner nook of our entryway was the upgrade we never knew we needed. Now we can’t live without it! Keep reading to see exactly how we made this little corner storage bench.

1. Gather Materials

• Tape measure
• Quarter round molding
• Paint
• Paint brush & roller
• Nail gun
• Nails
• Screws
• Anchors
• Wood Glue
• ¾” plywood
• Sander + sand paper
• Circular saw
• Stud Finder

2. Measure Your Space

Measure the wall/floor space where the entryway bench will go. We recommend finding the storage boxes you’ll use inside the bench and building your measurements around this. Here are the main measurements you’ll need:

• Distance from the ground (remember it’s wall-mounted)
• Depth & width (give yourself enough room to fit your storage baskets and to sit comfortably on top without running into it when you walk past)
• Overall height

For reference, the bottom of our bench is 7 ½” from the floor. Our bench is 10 ⅛” deep. Ours makes an L shape to fill the corner of our entryway nook. One side is 31 ⅛” long, and the other side is 24 ¾” long. The outside height of our bench is 10 ⅜”. The inside height is 9” to comfortably fit 7 1/4” storage boxes.

3. Measure & Cut the Wood

Using a circular saw, cut the wood to your desired measurements making an L shape–cut two of these, since one will be the bottom and one will be the top piece of your bench.

Then, cut three end pieces (ours are 9”)–two of these will be end pieces, and one goes inside the corner of the L. All three pieces will go in between your L pieces to act as supports.

Cut the back pieces to your desired height and width to fit inside your L pieces at the back.

Last, cut two pieces of quarter round molding to match the length of your L piece. For a more professional look, miter the corners to fit nicely together.

You should end up with these wood pieces:

• 2 large L pieces
• 3 inside/end support pieces
• 2 separate back pieces
• 2 quarter round molding lengths

4. Assemble the Bench (DIY entryway storage ideas)

First, put one L piece on its side. Then, apply wood glue to the top edge of each support piece and put in place, gluing it to the L piece. Use the nail gun to nail through the L piece into the support piece for extra support while the glue dries. Do the same (glue followed by nails) with each back piece.

Once the L has all three support pieces and both back pieces glued and nailed in place, carefully rotate the entire structure to be laying flat. Apply wood glue to the exposed edge of each support and back piece and put the last L piece into place on top. Reinforce with nails.

5. Sand & Paint

Here’s a simple step-by-step for sanding and painting your DIY entryway corner storage bench:

1. Sand all surfaces and edges of your bench. The best way to get a nice, smooth finished product is to start with 80 grit, then 120 grit, and then 150 grit or 220 grit until you’re happy with the smoothness.
2. Wipe all surfaces and edges with a dry rag, making sure there are no tiny pieces of dust or lint.
3. Prime all sides and edges of the bench. Wait for this coat to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Paint all sides and edges of the bench. It’s a good idea to wait for this to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions before applying a second coat.
5. Apply second coat of paint, and let it fully dry before moving on to the next step.

6. Attach Your Bench to the Wall

Now it’s time to locate studs, making sure you hit at least one on each end of the L. Mark on the wall where the studs are so you know where they are.

Pro tip: If there are no studs available, use wall anchors that can support at least 250 lb each. (This ensures that an average adult can safely sit on top of the bench.)

Finally, hold the bench up to the wall and mark on the bench where your stud (or anchor) will be once it’s mounted. For our bench, we attached the bench to two studs on the long side of the bench and one stud on the short side of the bench. We drilled three screws into each stud.

Drill pilot holes on the back of the bench according to these marks. The hole will go all the way through, but don’t worry–you can patch and paint over it at the end.

Hold the bench up against the wall (ask someone to help you! Or just rest the bench on a stack of books) and drill through the holes, attaching the bench to the wall.

7. Attach the Quarter Round Molding

Next, place the quarter round molding in place and nail through it to secure it to the wall.

8. Finishing Touches on your bench for DIY entryway storage ideas

Once everything is in place, patch over the drill holes / screw heads to fully cover them. After that has fully dried, sand and paint over the patches. Look thoroughly over the entire bench and touch up any paint spots as needed. Additionally, you should paint over the quarter round molding to make it look like it is part of the bench.

More Clever DIY Entryway Storage Ideas for Small Entryways

While our DIY storage bench and IKEA shoe cabinets have been game-changers, here are some other creative storage ideas for small entryways:

1. Over-the-door organizers: Great for storing small items like gloves, scarves, and pet supplies.
2. Wall-mounted mail organizers: Keep important papers and mail from becoming a dumping ground.
3. Floating shelves: Add vertical storage without taking up floor space.
4. Hook wall: Install a series of hooks at different heights to accommodate each family member’s needs.
5. Narrow console table: Look for slim designs that provide surface area without crowding the space.
6. Storage ottomans: Double-duty furniture that offers seating and hidden storage.
7. DIY lockers: Create a mini mudroom feel with individual cubbies for each family member.

Above all, the key to a functional small entryway is making use of vertical space and choosing multi-purpose pieces. With a little creativity and some budget-friendly additions, you can transform your small entryway into an organized space that sets the tone for your entire home. Since it’s the first thing you’ll see and use when you enter your home, the entryway is a great place to employ clever storage ideas for your entire family.

Final Thoughts: DIY Entryway Storage Ideas

As I have shown, a functional and stylish small entryway doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. By focusing on the essential elements and getting creative with storage solutions, you can design an entryway that works for your family’s needs and enhances your home’s overall aesthetic.

Our DIY storage bench project, combined with clever shoe storage and wall-mounted organizers, has transformed our narrow entryway from a chaotic dumping ground into a well-organized drop zone. It’s made our daily routines easier and given us a more streamlined look right from the front door.

Remember, the best entryway designs are those that reflect your personal style while meeting your family’s specific needs. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and try different organization ideas until you find the perfect combination for your small space.

Have you tackled any DIY entryway storage ideas? We’d love to hear about your creative storage ideas and small space solutions in the comments below!