Small Hallway Ideas for Winter: Shoe Storage, Coats and Wet Boots in Under 37 cm
Winter is when a small hallway fails: wet shoes, two coats per person, a school bag and a dog lead, all in a space that is often less than a metre wide. The fix is not more furniture; it is furniture that is shallow enough to leave the walkway clear. Below are the sizes that work and the pieces we make for them, with exact dimensions so you can check against your own wall before ordering.
Start with depth, not width
Building regulations assume a hallway of at least 900 mm; many UK terraces and flats are narrower. A unit deeper than about 37 cm leaves too little room to pass with shopping. Everything below is 37.5 cm deep or less.
Shoes: a bench you can sit on
If there is room to sit, a bench with shoe storage underneath is the most used piece of furniture in the house in winter:
- Moni Hallway Shoe Cabinet and Hanger Set (W 104.9 cm × D 37 cm × H 52 cm) — bench seat, shoe cabinet and a matching wall hanger
- Fiona Shoe Storage With Bench Width 104 cm (W 104 cm × D 37.5 cm × H 47.2 cm) — a 104 cm bench with tilt-out shoe storage
- Cove Modern Shoe Storage Bench (W 106 cm × D 34 cm × H 50 cm) — a 106 cm bench with a padded seat
- Haven Shoe Bench (W 101 cm × D 35.5 cm × H 80.5 cm) — stair-shaped, so tall boots fit at one end
Shoes: a cabinet when there is no room to sit
- Tono Modern Shoe Rack With Hanger (W 84 cm × D 32 cm × H 43 cm) — an 84 cm rack with a hanger rail, only 32 cm deep
- Dune Shoe Storage Bench (W 107 cm × D 35 cm × H 55 cm) — a low bench in the Dune range, matching our sideboards
Coats: hooks at two heights
Adult coats need hooks at about 170 cm; children's coats and bags want a second row around 120 cm. A hall stand gives you both plus a shelf for hats and gloves:
- Chester Hall Stand Shoe Rack Multipurpose Hanger (W 90 cm × D 36 cm × H 180 cm) — hooks, a shelf and shoe storage in a 90 cm footprint
- Acton Hall Stand with Shoe Storage (W 108 cm × D 35 cm × H 195.3 cm) — a full-height stand with a closed shoe cupboard
- Ponpon Metal Hanger (W 18 cm × D 8 cm × H 94 cm) — a wall hanger only 8 cm deep for the overflow
Keys, post and the things that get lost
A narrow console at the entrance gives post and keys a home without blocking the door:
- Gora Console Sideboard Display Unit (W 110 cm × D 35.6 cm × H 82 cm) — 35.6 cm deep with closed storage and open shelves
- Dune Console Sideboard Display Unit 123cm (W 123 cm × D 35 cm × H 77.4 cm) — 123 cm wide and 35 cm deep, matching the Dune shoe bench
Three winter habits that cost nothing
- Put an absorbent mat inside the shoe bench footprint, not in front of it — wet shoes go straight onto it.
- Keep only this season's coats in the hall; everything else goes upstairs in October.
- One hook per person, labelled if you have children. The hall stays tidy when ownership is obvious.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should hallway furniture be?
Under 37 cm in most UK hallways; 30–35 cm is comfortable. All the pieces above are 37.5 cm or less.
Can shoe benches hold boots?
Standard cabinets suit shoes and trainers. For knee-high boots choose an open design or the stair-shaped Haven bench, which has a taller section at one end.
Do these need to be fixed to the wall?
Tall hall stands should be anchored to the wall; the fixings are included. Low benches and racks do not need fixing.
Delivery, returns and the showroom
Everything we sell is designed and made in our own factory, which we founded in 2009. Delivery is free across mainland Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland); we do not currently deliver to Northern Ireland or offshore islands. Orders are dispatched within 1–2 working days, you have 30 days to return anything you change your mind about, and every piece carries a 2-year warranty. If you would like to see finishes in person, our factory showroom in Risley, Warrington (WA3 6QU) is open Monday to Friday 8:30–16:30 and Saturday 9:30–15:30 — showroom details.