Small homes and studios
Entry Storage Design for Small homes and studios
Plan storage around frequency of use and the route between use and return. Measure the actual items, including handles and cases.
Explore the ideas
Plan in this order
- Sort items into daily, occasional and surplus stock, then measure each group's largest pieces.
- Place daily items at the point of use and reserve a separate area for overflow or refills.
- Choose shelf spans, pull-outs and closures only after checking how items are loaded and removed.
Worked example
Several household members leave daily footwear and bags beside a shared apartment entry.
Assign each person a labeled open cubby for daily items and reserve closed storage for occasional footwear. Check the largest pair and bag fit without protruding into the entry path.
How to test it
Put the largest item into a mock-up and remove it with the adjacent doors or work surfaces in use.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Set a narrow landing shelf and hooks on the hinge-side wall, outside the door swing.
- Detail
- Use a compact closed shoe cabinet and a durable washable mat.
- Trade-off
- Closed storage hides clutter but may be too shallow for bulky shoes or bags.
- Check door swing and passage width
- Try the actual bags and footwear stored there
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