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I still remember the day I moved into my tiny apartment by the shore. The entryway was barely big enough for me to turn around in, let alone store all my beach gear and everyday essentials.

After tripping over flip-flops one too many times, I knew I needed a solution that would work with my space, not against it.

Through lots of trial and error (and yes, a few DIY disasters), I discovered that a well-designed entryway bench wasn't just practical—it became the heart of my home's first impression.

1. The Hidden Treasure Flip-Top Bench

I discovered this gem of an idea after watching my neighbor's constant battle with entryway clutter. Sometimes the best storage is the kind nobody knows is there.

Picture this: You walk in from a long day at work, kick off your shoes, and sink onto a whitewashed bench that looks like it was salvaged from an old fishing boat. The weathered wood tells stories of ocean adventures, while the subtle rope details remind you of docks and sailing knots. You lift the seat to tuck away your bag, revealing a secret compartment that smells faintly of cedar. Your guests never realize this beautiful piece holds everything from extra scarves to your collection of beach reads.

How to recreate it:

Hunt down a simple wooden storage bench—I found mine at a yard sale for $30 and gave it new life
Grab some white or light blue chalk paint (I used leftover paint from my bathroom refresh)
Head to the hardware store for about 5 feet of thick nautical rope for those authentic handles
Line the inside with cedar planks I picked up from the remnant bin at the lumberyard
Add a couple of pillows I already had but refreshed with new covers in sea glass tones

DIY project: Last winter when I was completely broke but desperately needed storage, I transformed my grandmother's old blanket chest with leftover paint samples mixed to create the perfect weathered aqua. The original hinges were rusty, which actually added character, but I reinforced them for safety. For the seat cushion, I used an old memory foam pillow covered with a clearance outdoor fabric that has survived countless wet swimsuits and sandy bottoms.

Buy it option:

My friend Emily bought the Prepac Monterey White Storage Bench when it was on sale and loves it
My sister went with the Beachcrest Leyburn Fliptop bench that's a bit pricier but looks incredibly authentic
The rope trim that looks best costs about $8 at craft stores (avoid the really cheap stuff—it frays)
My designer friend says quick-dry foam from fabric stores is worth the extra money for benches near doors

Styling tips for beginners: When I first tried this, I went overboard with seashells, rope, and every blue item I owned. Trust me—it looked like a souvenir shop exploded! Now I stick to neutral colors with just one or two coastal touches. My favorite combo is a white bench, one blue pillow, and a small driftwood art piece above. Oh, and I learned the hard way to keep a small basket beside the bench for wet umbrellas rather than storing them inside!

2. The Multi-Level Cubby Console

I discovered this solution after my dog kept knocking over my storage bins. Sometimes visibility is actually better than hiding everything away.

Picture this: It's Saturday morning and you're heading out for a beach walk. Instead of digging through a jumbled mess, you glance at your weathered gray bench where everything has its place. Your favorite sun hat hangs on a hook above, while your collection of flip-flops lines up neatly in labeled sea grass baskets below. The kids know exactly where their beach buckets belong, and you can grab your sunscreen from your designated basket without even thinking. The small watercolor of your favorite lighthouse catches the morning light, reminding you of summer days even in the depths of winter.

How to recreate it:

I found my bench at a school surplus sale, but any bench with cubbies works—just look for one that's about 40" wide for a small space
After trying plastic bins (too college dorm) and cardboard boxes (too flimsy), I invested in sea grass baskets that have lasted three years and counting
The hooks above cost me $3 each at a hardware store, but they're the workhorses of my entryway
My bench cushion is actually an old twin mattress pad cut down and covered in fabric—way cheaper than custom cushions
The driftwood garland was a fun beach day project that cost nothing but time

DIY project: When my budget was non-existent, I connected two small $15 bookshelves from the thrift store with a $10 piece of pine from the hardware store (they cut it to size for free). I painted everything with leftover wall paint so it would blend in seamlessly. My neighbor helped me secure everything together with brackets, and four years later, it's still going strong!

Buy it option:

The ClosetMaid Cubeicals bench goes on sale fairly often—I grabbed mine for 30% off
My mom loves her Better Homes & Gardens organizer bench that looks more expensive than it is
After destroying two cheap baskets, I finally invested in water hyacinth ones with liners that have survived countless sandy toys
My best tip: wait for end-of-season sales on outdoor cushions—I got mine for 70% off in October
The hooks that have held up best for me are simple wooden or metal ones without too many decorative details that can break off

Styling tips for beginners: The first set of baskets I bought had no liners and became dirt magnets. Learn from my mistake and get washable liners! Also, when I first set up my bench, I went with seven different shades of blue and it looked chaotic. Now I stick to just white, navy, and one accent color (currently a soft sage green) for a much cleaner look. Oh, and after stumbling in the dark once too often, I added those stick-on motion lights under the bench—total game-changer for under $10!

3. The Slim-Profile Shoe Bench Combination

This was born from pure necessity when I lived in an apartment with a 28-inch wide entryway. Sometimes the narrowest solutions are the most brilliant.

Picture this: Rain is pouring outside as you rush in with groceries. Instead of creating a puddle or balancing bags while removing shoes, you perch on your sea foam green bench that's barely wider than a bookshelf. Your wet shoes slide perfectly onto the slatted shelf below where they can actually dry, thanks to the clever angled design that allows water to drip through rather than pool. You hang your dripping raincoat on one of the burnished hooks above, where it joins your collection of summer hats and light scarves, all within arm's reach but completely off the floor.

How to recreate it:

My narrow bench came from a closing restaurant (it was a server station), but look for anything under 14" deep
I tried three paint colors before landing on the perfect seafoam—sample pots are worth it! But remember, the sample is to test only and not to be used as paint. Sample “paint” is actually made of fillers (not paint) and will lead to chipping and fading if used as the final paint product.
The wall hooks were leftover from my previous apartment, just spaced more intentionally
My cushion is actually an old yoga mat covered in fabric with a zipper to make it removable and washable—underneath it's waterproof and easy to wipe down
I sealed everything with marine-grade polyurethane after learning the hard way what happens when snow-covered boots meet untreated wood

DIY project: Last year when I was between jobs, I flipped a $10 bookshelf on its side, added some scrap wood dividers, and attached hairpin legs I found online for $15. The whole project cost under $40 but looks like something from a high-end catalog. I skipped the cushion entirely and instead keep a small towel hanging nearby to dry the bench if needed.

Buy it option:

My sister has the Vasagle narrow bench with coat rack that's perfect for her tiny hallway
For something more natural looking, my friend loves her Homfa bamboo rack
After destroying two cheap cushions, I found machine-washable ones on sale for about $25

Styling tips for beginners: In my first apartment, I painted my tiny bench bright blue and it visually chopped my small entryway in half. Now I always paint narrow benches a color very similar to the wall so they almost disappear. Also, forget those cute little signs and decorative items—in truly small spaces, they become clutter magnets. I've found that one tiny plant or a single framed photo provides personality without crowding.

4. The Window Seat Storage Solution

I stumbled upon this idea when I was trying to figure out what to do with an awkward bay window in my rental apartment.

Picture this: You've just come home from a long beach walk, sandy and windblown. As you step inside, the late afternoon light filters through sheer curtains, illuminating your window seat with its soft blue and white striped cushion. You kick off your sandy shoes and sink into the sun-warmed spot, feeling instantly at peace. Below you, drawers with pretty shell-shaped pulls hide away beach towels and sunscreen. The sea salt candle on your little side table is almost burned down—a reminder of countless evenings spent reading and watching the world go by from this perfect perch.

How to recreate it:

My window seat started as two file cabinets with a board across the top—not pretty but functional until I could upgrade
The cushion was my splurge—custom-made by a local upholsterer who took pity on my sad DIY attempt
Those shell drawer pulls came from a closing hardware store's clearance bin—just $1 each!
My curtains are actually just hemmed fabric I found on sale, hung with clips for that breezy look
I reinforced everything when my brother (who weighs twice what I do) came to visit and tested its limits

DIY project: When money was tight but my window seat dreams were big, I mounted three basic kitchen wall cabinets side by side under my window, secured them to the wall, added a plywood top, and covered everything with leftover paint. The whole project cost under $150 but completely transformed my apartment. The cushion was made from a foam mattress topper cut to size and covered in outdoor fabric left over from a friend's patio project.

Buy it option:

Custom cushions are worth saving for—mine was $200 but has lasted five years and counting
If custom isn't an option, try the storage benches from discount furniture stores and cut them to fit your space
Those fancy coastal drawer pulls can be found for a fraction of the price at big box hardware stores
IKEA's sheer curtains work perfectly for that breezy coastal vibe without breaking the bank
Don't waste money on fancy storage containers inside the drawers—shoe boxes covered in pretty paper work just as well

Styling tips for beginners: When I first created my window seat, I crowded the windowsill with so many little treasures that I couldn't set down a coffee cup. Now I keep it simple with just three blue glass bottles that catch the light beautifully. I also learned to use waterproof liners under any plants after one overwatering incident ruined some stored magazines. And remember that your window seat will fade in direct sunlight—either embrace the weathered look or invest in UV-resistant fabrics.

5. The Floating Bench with Hidden Storage

This idea came to me during a desperate late-night Pinterest session when I was trying to solve the problem of my impossibly narrow hallway entryway.

Picture this: Friends come over for dinner and marvel at how you've managed to make your tiny entryway feel spacious. The secret is your floating bench, which appears to be simply a beautiful piece of reclaimed boat wood extending from the wall. The worn blues and teals tell stories of ocean journeys, while subtle brass hardware adds just a touch of polish. What your guests don't see is how you press gently on the front to reveal a drop-down compartment where shoes and bags hide completely out of sight. The completely clear floor beneath makes cleaning a breeze—no more trying to vacuum around bench legs!

How to recreate it:

The brackets for my bench came from a restaurant supply store—they're meant for industrial shelving and can hold serious weight
My wood was actually salvaged from my uncle's fence replacement—with the right sanding and finishing, almost any wood can look coastal
The drop-down mechanism came from a hardware store and was the trickiest part of the whole project
I kept my bench just 16 inches deep—enough to sit comfortably but not so deep that it juts too far into my narrow space
The clearance underneath is exactly the height of my robot vacuum—intentional planning that has made my life so much easier!

DIY project: My first floating bench was literally just a solid pine plank mounted to the wall with brackets I spray-painted brass. The storage came later, when I built a simple box underneath with hinges salvaged from an old cabinet. The weathered finish took some experimenting—I ended up using three different colors of milk paint, sanding between layers, and finishing with paste wax. Four years later, it still draws compliments from everyone who visits.

Buy it option:

Wall-mounted shelving systems can be repurposed as benches—just make sure they're rated for adequate weight
Heavy-duty decorative brackets are worth the investment—I learned this when my first bench collapsed during a party
Custom-cut cushions are expensive, but I found an online foam company that cut to my specifications for half the price of local shops
The maritime decal above my bench was under $20 and adds personality without requiring any artistic skill
Those motion-sensor lights for under the bench? Under $10 at big box stores and they run forever on batteries

Styling tips for beginners: My first floating bench was beautiful but sagged in the middle the first time two people sat on it. Make sure your brackets hit solid studs and don't overload the bench with decorative items. I also found that positioning the bench at standard height (18" from the floor) makes it much more comfortable than the lower height I initially tried. And resist the urge to hang too many small pieces above it—one statement piece creates a cleaner, more spacious feel than a gallery wall in a tight space.

My Final Thoughts

I've moved three times since creating my first coastal entryway bench, and each time I've adapted these ideas to fit new spaces and challenges. What I've learned is that you don't need a mansion-sized foyer or interior designer budget to create a welcoming, organized entryway with coastal charm. Sometimes the most creative solutions come from the tightest constraints.

The best part? That moment at the end of each day when I come home, drop my keys in their designated spot, and feel the tension melt away as my entryway welcomes me with its simple, breezy coastal vibe. It's like taking a deep breath of salt air, even when I'm miles from the shore.

Whether you're working with a narrow hallway, an awkward nook, or just a blank wall, I hope these ideas inspire you to create an entryway that makes you smile every time you come home. Because sometimes the smallest spaces can hold the biggest welcomes.

For more coastal entryway inspiration, check out this post!