Create a formal-meets-fun welcome area.

This room is decked out in offbeat Forbidden Fruit wallpaper (by Piero Fornasetti for Cole & Son) for a look that’s playful but also old world. Its theme echoes the Art Nouveau stained glass on the interior doors. An “industrial revolution-style” hall tree adds function; it’s topped with bamboo hat holders. Black-lacquered doors and marble flooring add polish and formality.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Organized Front Halls and Les Ensembliers Interiors.

A place for everything.

In this well-organized mudroom, a clever unit includes a range of cubbies to house outdoor gear. Cumbersome boots are neatly corralled in the taller section, and coat hooks and baskets keep everyday items close at hand.

Strike a balance between form and function with these organizing ideas.

Take advantage of the shallow space behind a door by installing a small floating shelf that’s just large enough to hold keys, mail and sunglasses. Woven baskets with lids hung on the wall will hide piles of hats and scarves and leave floor space free for shoes and bags. Instead of a hard wooden bench, choose something tufted to soften the look of the space.

See more organized front halls in our photo gallery.

Repurpose a high school classic.

West Vancouver couple, Lara and Rick Irwin built this utility room to accommodate a bank of battered 1930s lockers from Chicago, a find from Scott Landon Antiques.

Clear clutter in a small space with organizing essentials.

Make the most of a small entryway by creating a pretty and practical storage spot. A modern bench acts as convenient seating and offers a space to tuck away shoes beneath it. Wall hooks on either side of the bench keep bags and coats out of the way.

Take a video tour of Sally Armstrong’s home on Online TV, plus see more photos of this home in our photo gallery. Plus see more organized front halls in this photo gallery.

Make functional spaces fun with colourful accents.

This mudroom offers lots of storage for coats and boots. The decorator and cottage owner, Heidi Smith, wanted to paint all the floors in the cottage the vibrant turquoise she used in this mudroom — the high-gloss colour is a snap to mop up.

See more organized front halls in our photo gallery.

Keep coats and gear out of sight in a spacious built-in.

The front hall is abuzz with the activity of guest, kids and pets. To keep life organized and orderly, a well-designed custom built-in can be as efficient as a dedicated mudroom. Art on the side of the cabinet creates a decorated, layered look.

See more organized front halls in our photo gallery.

Make the most of hallway wall space.

Use the wall in a narrow hallway to stagger coat hooks. Hang purses, scarves and backpacks there on weeknights to make sure everyone is out the door on time in the morning.

See more organized front halls in our photo gallery.

Use stylish organizing accents.

If you don’t need an organizing hub built for five, try a more inconspicuous approach. A vintage Lucite coat rack injects an edgy note and the top of a painted white radiator acts as a catch-all for keys and sunglasses.

Add open shelving and wicker baskets to storage cabinets.

Cubbies holding wicker baskets keep household items within arm’s reach from the front door. Sleek white cabinets conceal coats and shoes — even the cat’s litter box is kept out of sight with a round hole in the bottom of the cabinet.

See more organized front halls in our photo gallery.

Utilize space efficiently in a condo foyer.

A narrow console works well in a small space. Keep a bowl and tray on top to hold keys and other household items. A cube ottoman underneath offers hidden storage and takes up far less space than a chair.

See more organized front halls in our photo gallery.

Create one central storage spot in your front hall.

A sleek console with drawers creates a drop spot for keys and mail while a faux-leather cube offers seating for donning boots or wrestling toddlers into outerwear. Keep memos, notices and cards tacked to a wall-mounted corkboard and use a multipurpose coat rack that cleverly incorporates an umbrella stand in its base.

See more organized front halls in our photo gallery.