Each year I participate in Apartment Therapy’s January Cure. It is a great way to reset your home, identify tasks that need doing and clear out the years clutter. Each day you are given a goal from clearing a drawer to donating items to charity. The big task is to put together your yearly home project. Identifying something that you want to do, putting together a list of what that entails and planning it out. You aren’t expected to complete this task in January and it can take as long as you need. This year my yearly home project is to create a functional entrance hall.
How The Entrance Hall Functions Now.
Spoiler – it doesn’t! I moved into my new build flat and I wasn’t allowed to repaint or decorate. The plaster requires up to eighteen months to air and dry out limiting any decorating. When I come into my flat there is a small entrance hall which every other room feeds off. To the right, tucked behind a boxed in pillar, is a small space where I keep my shoes and coats.
I currently have a very traditional, English coat rack in the space and that is it. Storage wise it is a space that could be doing so much more and really could look better. In this space is also a double powerpoint that I use for my hairdryer and fairy lights. UK standards are limiting when it comes to power in bathrooms and we aren’t trusted to be able to plug in appliances in wet spaces! As a result, all my other hair gadgets are piled in this space as well. Safe to say I am not looking after these gadgets, and I have to tidy this space at least once a week. It does not function well.
Planning and Budgeting The Entrance Hall Makeover.
Over the past four years I have researched many ideas on how to make this space function better. The ceiling height means I can lift my coats with a hanging system. It makes sense to have some sort of storage that stacks the shoes. I’ve love to not see them poking out from their space!
One of the biggest sticking points were my hair gadgets and how to store them. Researching online I found several systems designed specifically for Dyson hairdryers. Some even use magnets to display the attachments. Finally, I would like to have a second double power point so that I can get rid of the power board.
Knowing the cost of this project would determine if I could go ahead. I spent a few hours researching, over a couple of days, and came up with the below design. It is a total spend of £290, excluding paint. I am still unsure how, and if, I will paint the wall, total area, ceiling or nothing. Paint isn’t cheap! The most expansive item is the Kroft hanger which I might try and DIY later this year.
Getting Started On The Entrance Hall.
Excitedly I have decided to move ahead with the project knowing I have a year to slowly purchase and put everything in place. I have borrowed a stud finder from a friend and organised another’s electrician husband to come and put in the powerpoint. I’ve purchased the Dyson hair dryer holder and marked the ceiling where the hanger can go. A few months of saving and I’m looking forward to making over this space.
- Kroft Hanger £98
- Silver Double Point Power Point £24 plus £50 install
- Dyson Hair Dryer Wall Mounted Display £21
- Black Metal Shelf Ebay £15
- Made.com Wall Hooks £19
- Yamazaki Shoe Rack £52
- Earthborn Clay Paint £20+
