Front of house

Use slimline cupboards and shoe benches to transform a dumping ground into a welcoming, clutter-free hallway

HIDDEN ASSETS

Hallways need to house all sorts of odds and ends, so opt for some smart storage like this simple unit, which has a sliding panel that will hide away necessary but less-than-lovely items. Linear low storage unit in ash, £500, Garden Trading

TAKE A SEAT

Banish that heap of shoes by the door with this contemporary bench and cupboard. Give everyone their own shelf so there are no excuses for the chaos to return! Stolico storage bench, £299; two-door storage unit, £399; both La Redoute

WELCOMING TONES

An uplifting pop of colour inside a shoe bench will raise your spirits every day, so dig your paintbrush out and give a sad cupboard a new lease of life. Unit painted in Pleat 280 intelligent satinwood, £36/1L; shelving painted in Heat 24 intelligent satinwood, £36/ 1L; wall painted in Pleat 280 intelligent matt emulsion, £26/1L; all Little Greene

SCANDI DESIGN

Few houses are blessed with large entrances, so slim furniture is a must. This narrow 35cm console has a drawer, perfect for throwing your keys in, and a shelf that can be used for keeping shoes or boots out of the way. The Oslo oak storage console table, £295, Cox & Cox

A CLASSIC COMBO

Keep an eye out for old wooden school lockers – they’re ideal for narrow hallways and add a bit of vintage charm, which you can then contrast with contemporary wall hooks. These ones are a Danish design classic and look good with or without anything hanging on them. The Dots wall hooks are by Muuto, £89/five, Nordic Nest

COUNTRY LIFE

Store muddy boots upside down on a wellie rack and wet coats on wall hooks. Baskets are easy for all family members to throw shoes into (no excuses!). It’s also worth painting a busy hallway in a hardwearing paint – a wipeable finish makes removing scuffs and mud a breeze. Ash welly boot holder, £70; shelf with hooks, £100; Porthole mirror, £100; Frome leather loveseat, £1,549; all Croft Collection at John Lewis & Partners

FAMILY SIZED

Choose storage that suits your needs. If you’re a shoe hoarder or a family of six, for instance, you need to go big with a tall cupboard where every boot and brogue can be easily found on an easy-to-sort shelf. Industrial Fine corrugated cabinet, £645, Rockett St George

KEEPING IT TOGETHER

In this neat unit, the tall cupboard on the left is ideal for knee-high boots, wellies and brollies, and the three pullout drawers have ample space for trainers and shoes, which means your hallway can be clutter free. Quinn cabinet with shoe storage, £349, M&S