The entryway tends to get cluttered with shoes, umbrellas, and other small items. According to the Housing and Land Survey conducted by Japan’s Statistics Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in 2023, the entryway of apartment buildings in Japan is often limited in space, measuring an average of 2-3 square meters, which leaves some people thinking “it’s too small to do anything with!”
In this article, we’ll introduce some storage techniques that can be used even in narrow entryways, as well as cleaning methods to keep your entryway tidy. If you’re looking to make the most of your limited entryway space, be sure to use this article as a reference!
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Stylish and functional open display shoe storage
The entryway is the face of your home. Even with limited space, you can create a sophisticated look by displaying your shoes as part of your decor rather than simply storing them there. Instead of simply lining up your shoes and slippers, try arranging them with a sense of unity in color, material, and shape, all while leaving some space between each item to create a visually pleasing display.
However, no matter how carefully you arrange them, having too many items in plain sight can still make the space feel cluttered. In such cases, storing everyday items and small items together in baskets or boxes is highly recommended.
Not only will this create a neat and organized look, but choosing storage items with high-quality materials and stylish designs can also add a decorative accent that enhances the overall aesthetics of your entryway. If you have a lot of items you’d prefer to keep out of sight, combining closed cabinets with open shelves will help you strike the right balance between which items to display and which to conceal.
Combine trays and shelves for storing small items
The entryway is a place where small items such as keys, personal effects, and pens used to receive deliveries tend to accumulate. If left scattered, these items can easily make the space feel cluttered. By creating a designated spot for these items on a tray or shelf, you can maintain a tidy entryway.
If you have a small shelf in your entryway, place a tray on it to create a designated spot for your keys and personal effects. Leaving these items out individually not only looks messy, but also makes it harder to remember where you put them. Simply creating a designated place for them will improve both the appearance and convenience of your space.
If you don’t have a shelf to place a tray, consider using magnetic hooks. Using magnetic hooks helps you keep your house, car, and bicycle keys easily accessible in order to prevent a last-minute scramble to find them when you actually need them.
Leaving mail and delivery flyers lying around, thinking you’ll “put them away later,” can also lead to a cluttered entryway. It’s a good idea to use an open storage container as a “temporary drop zone” for mail and flyers. Since it doesn’t have a lid, you can easily see what’s inside at a glance, preventing things from piling up unnoticed.
Make use of wall-mounted vertical storage to make your floor space look larger
The entryway tends to fill up quickly with shoes, umbrellas, keys, and other small items, making the floor feel cluttered. To free up floor space, vertical storage that makes use of the wall is highly recommended. Keeping items off the floor not only frees up more space but also makes it easier to enter and exit comfortably.
- Vertical shoe cabinets and open shelves
Even floor-standing shoe cabinets and open shelves can be placed vertically along a wall, allowing you to maximize storage capacity while still freeing up floor space.
- Magnetic and adhesive hooks
Using magnetic and adhesive hooks that can be attached to the wall will make it easy for you to keep keys and small items neat and organized.
For more info, check out our blog: How to Make a Small Apartment Feel More Spacious
Incorporate a compact and functional umbrella stand
An umbrella stand can make a big difference in a narrow entryway. When choosing an umbrella stand, we recommend one with a spacious base or a wall-mounted type.
Umbrella stands with a spacious base allow easier access for you to take umbrellas in and out, offer better stability, and create a more balanced look. Another added bonus is that choosing a slim design also helps reduce the cramped feeling in your entryway. On the other hand, wall-mounted umbrella stands don’t take up floor space, making them ideal for making effective use of space in a compact entryway.
When it comes to materials, steel umbrella stands are highly recommended. While umbrella stands come in a variety of materials like ceramic, wood, or plastic, steel stands out for its strength and sleek design while taking up little space, allowing them to be placed compactly even in a small entryway.
It’s also best to choose an umbrella stand that has a drip tray or good ventilation. Stands with a built-in drip tray make it easy to dispose of collected water, helping you keep the area clean and hygienic.
Furthermore, a well-ventilated design with no walls on the sides allows moisture to evaporate easily and promotes air circulation, which can help prevent mold and unpleasant odors.
Keep your entryway clean with just 5 minutes of cleaning every day
The trick to keeping your entryway clean is to prevent bringing dirt in from outside. Since it gradually gets dirty every time you enter and exit the house, it’s important to take daily precautions such as brushing off mud from your shoes and shaking off water droplets from your umbrella before entering the house. You can also keep your entryway clean by simply cleaning for five minutes each day.
- Sweep the entryway floor every day
The floor area right inside the entrance is mainly prone to dirt and dust. Simply sweeping it lightly with a broom will keep it clean and tidy.
- Take measures to combat odors in shoe cabinets
Shoe odors tend to build up in shoe cabinets, so be sure to open the doors regularly to allow for ventilation. Placing commercially available deodorizers or moisture absorbers in the cabinets is also effective.
- Don’t leave things lying around
If you have a shelf or decorative stand, it’s easy to leave mail or flyers lying there. Even though it’s convenient, try not to let things pile up and make it a habit to tidy up regularly.
By combining simple maintenance during the week with thorough cleaning on the weekends, you can keep your entryway clean. To maintain a fresh appearance on the entrance floor area, clean it once a week by scrubbing tiled floors with a brush and wiping marble or sheet flooring with a rag.
As for odor control in the shoe cabinet, first use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust, then wipe it down with a solution of baking soda and water, and finally wipe it dry thoroughly before putting your shoes and other items back in.
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Hello, I’m Machiko Doi, a freelance writer who writes about housing and living in Japan.
I live in an 80-year-old house that I inherited from my grandparents along with my two shelter cats and daughter.
We live a relaxed life while repairing the house.
I like to cook vegetables from the garden and fresh fish caught by my father, and enjoy them with cold beer on a hot day or hot sake on a cold day.