Upgrade Your Entryway's Storage Space With A Slim IKEA Find That Won't Break The Bank

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For those of us living in an apartment or small home, a proper entryway may seem out of reach, but it doesn't have to be. Eliminate the stress caused by visual clutter when everyday items like shoes, bags, and keys have a defined place to rest in the space near your door — no matter how narrow it is. Adding shelving is a great way to add vertical space that will keep things from taking up floor real estate, making a small entryway feel bigger, but it's okay if you can't mount the shelves to the walls or afford specialized units made for entryways. You can repurpose smaller pieces of furniture, like nightstands, and one choice that won't break the bank is an eye-catching IKEA side table.

The HOLMERUD side table from IKEA ($49.99) is shaped to nestle near a sofa, but that doesn't mean it won't look great against a wall near the door. It has open shelving on the side, which can provide extra storage or accommodate sleek decorative items. The top of the table can support up to 33 pounds, keeping it in a safe range for holding light items, like mail and accessories. A reviewer of the product, which has an average of 4.7 stars, noted that it complements the mid-century modern decor in their living room.

There are multiple ways to make this versatile side table work for your entryway (yes, you can call it that now), and one of those ways involves more IKEA browsing. The larger of the two enclosed shelves in the HOLMERUD can perfectly fit a set of three BARNDRÖM boxes, which can be part of a system to keep clutter from accumulating in the entryway. 

For another smart solution, get two of the end tables, and arrange them side to side against the wall so that the solid side of one table is abutting the solid side of the other and the open sides are on the ends. This gives you ample length so that some of the top can support picture frames in addition to key bowls and other functional items. 

The height of the table means it can naturally be used for shoe storage, but it's also possible to make it taller by using furniture risers, such as these ones from Yibuy, although it may take some trial and error to find the right match. Those who are extra crafty can build bases for their IKEA furniture using blocks of wood, and paint or stain the wood to coordinate with the table's color.