We’ve seen lots of closets turned into offices, reading nooks, even mudrooms. But, I also think it’s an interesting idea to use a coat closet near the front door to create a little welcoming nook—especially if your foyer is small or nonexistent. (If you’re house is like mine, the coat closet is probably crammed full of rarely-worn coats, anyway. We are technically in the South, after all. . .)
A few ideas for decorating an “un-closet” by the front door:
WITH A STATEMENT MIRROR.
BY FRAMING IT WITH A PRETTY PAIR OF CURTAINS.
(Another option: hanging the curtains on the outside of the closet would help to disguise some of the door frame.)
source unknown
BY INSTALLING BOOKSHELVES FOR DISPLAY.
(The sconces and pop of color don’t hurt either!)
Domino
WITH A PRETTY WALLPAPER.
WITH A BUILT-IN SEAT.
(Of course, a mirror could take the place of a window in a closet.)
Could you/would you give up a coat closet for a pretty entry nook?
Fabulous! Awesome! Genius! and on and on……GREAT IDEA!
I love this idea and have the perfect small entry with a closet. However, of all of my “crazy” home decor ideas, I’m sure my husband would hate this the most. Boo :( Ceiling fans and actual coat closets will always be a fixture in our home.
We did that and I never regretted it. The people before us had made the coat closet in the entry smaller to make the master closet bigger. So we just took it a step further and removed the coat closet all together. Now we have a nice entry and just use the coat closet in the hall.
Converting the coat closet in our small entry into an “un-closet” is one of the many things on my list! I especially like the built-in bench idea.
I’ve really been wanting to give up a coat closet for a bathroom. Would you mind giving the dimensions of your sons bath room?
Brilliant solutions and so chic too ! That first image is BH&G – one of my faves! http://www.bhg.com/blogs/centsational-style/2012/12/30/now-next/
xo
Kate
Thanks, Kate! Will update when I get back to my computer.
That black wallpaper is so beautiful! And I feel like wallpapering it would make it feel more like a “room”. So many choices!
These are all lovely, but I have the opposite problem. My front door opens directly into my front room. Directly to the right is a large window and to the left is a hall leading to the bedrooms. I’ve always had trouble figuring out 1) what to do with shoes and coats 2) being able to still walk around anything I place. Any ideas?
Yes! In fact, we had done this as well! We had kept the same size of the closet, added a bench and hooks (and of course, I added decorative pillows to our bench cushion). Everyone complements this! Thanks!
LOVE these ideas… our coat closet has become a rarely opened dumping ground… think I could blow out a wall or two! ;-)
xo Heidi
We did this because our closet just had stuff shoved in it. We also realized it opened up and brightened the space too. It makes a world of difference in helping us stay orgazined too. We made a bench that opens for storage and have a high shelf.
These are all wonderful. I don’t have a closet at all, the door just opens right into the living room, so I would love some kind of entry.
I keep trying to! ;) I’m opting for an entry bench with hooks, so still the same function…but have to talk my hubby into the demo first. :)
I could not, would not, but I love the idea! And all the pretty pictures. Thanks!
At first I could not imagine giving up a closet, but when I saw the last picture – bench and drawers. I realized that everyone just throws their coat down anyway, this is perfect and avoids the clutter that usually ends up in the entry closet!
Definitely!
Yes! These are all lovely ideas, that last image with the bench–by far my favorite! :)
Love these ideas. I have dreams of converting our coat closet to a wine cellar/closet. It’s really too small for the coats (it sits under the stairs and has very little headroom). One day!
These are beautiful, but I’m anti-give-up-the-entry-closet. I designed our house with the help of an architect, and left out a coat closet in exchange for an awesome double staircase. What a mistake! We too live in the south, in north Georgia, but we use us some coats, jackets, sweatshirts, etc. We have a mud room which I love, but dang, I’d love to have some place to keep our winter gear.
No, I would not storage is a premium in our home. The pictures are very nice and look wonderful.
We are empty nesters so we no longer have to worry about the kid dump of stuff. I took the small coat closet in our hallway and turned it into pantry storage. We hang wet coats/umbrellas in basement. Other coats we return to our closets. Works for me. Love the beautiful images.