Any decor/function ideas for home entry way?

[littlefurfamily]

I have a very small entry way at the front door of my home. It's a Cape Cod, so you enter pretty much right into the stairway. There is an area there (behind the door) that is kind of the landing pad of the home. It is always a mess, mess, mess. Does anyone have any ideas for organizing that area? It is basically the place where shoes, keys, mail, bags, bike helmets, hats, mittens, that kind of thing land. There is a coat rack on the wall that does okay with catching coats and purses. Right now I only have a console table.......with the rest of the stuff just spilling out of baskets all in disarray. It is fairly narrow as the door opens back into the area.

[bookfiend]

Narrow width cabinet with doors, padded seat on top and mirror above.

[dedossett]

Dont know if this would be an option, but, What if you could find an old wooden door (paint, and distress it whatever color). hang it on the wall horizontally with some neat old-fashioned hooks. Find an old bench somewhere, place that underneath and add some baskets under the bench for shoes, hats, etc. Then maybe next to it, a silk treeand add some white lights? I always try to find stuff around the house that I already have or garage sales. Hope this helps! :)