Hall Tree Organization Ideas for a Tidy, Stress-Free Entryway

A messy entryway is a common problem for every household. Evenings looks like a pile of stuff in your hallway with coats, shoes, bags, umbrellas, pet leashes, etc., lying helter skelter. Nobody wants to be greeted with a messy room after a long work day. The only way to bring organisation to your hallway is to add a storage space that can fit all the things. Enter the hall tree!

This video is sourced from Simple Decor Ideas

Table of contents

• What is a Hall Tree?
• Why Use a Hall Tree?
• Types of Hall Trees
• Hall Tree Organization Ideas
• Hall Tree Buying Guide: What Will Work for Your Home?
• How to Keep Your Hall Tree Organized Over Time

What is a Hall Tree?

Also referred to as clothes tree, hat tree, and hatrack, hall stand a hall tree is a multi functional storage furniture designed for hallways. It originated in the 19th century and since then has evolved to handle the things of the new world. This can hold coats, bags, shoes and everything else that tend to be just thrown around your entryway. 

Entryway hall trees combine multiple storage spaces such as coat racks for outerwear, shoe storage to neatly tuck away footwear, hooks for handing bags and umbrellas, cubbies to hold leashes and toys, etc. Some models (hall tree bench), even have seating to comfortably sit and wear your shoes. 

Most modern households use this to keep clutter at bay and make the home feel more welcoming both for themselves and their guests. Hall trees are primarily made of two materials; wood and metal. Homeowners go for models that match the aesthetics. Some of them like to invest in models that have open shelves to display pooted plants and other decor items to add visual appeal to the entryway.

Why Use a Hall Tree?

Storage for the things that belong in the entryway and the entryway clutter that has nowhere to go is two specific problems that a hall tree solves. Here are a few important reasons why you should consider investing in a hall tree:

• A tidy entryway: Hall trees bring a designated place for coats, bags and other things that are usually left in the hall. Having a designated place for each belonging brings much needed organisation to your hallway.
  
  
• Multifunctional storage space: A hall tree bundles shoe racks, coat hooks, etc., into one vertical solution. There are racks you can use for pet leashes, shoe cleaning kit, keys, etc. Many models even have a bench that gives you sitting space to put on your shoes before you head out. 
  
  
• Assists with daily routine: Instead of keeping coats and shoes in separate places keeping them in a single place while you hustle for work in the morning saves a lot of time. Your coat, shoe, umbrella and keys are right in the entryway where you can gather them at one go. 
  
  
• Extra storage space: Hall trees can be installed in any of the corners of the house or tight spaces to bring additional storage space to the house. A corner hall tree will keep walkways clear while offering storage.

Types of Hall Trees

Even though there isn’t a specific classification for hall trees, these are some of the various kinds of hall trees that are commonly used in households today:

1. Narrow hall tree 

Narrow hall trees are made for tight layouts that double as walkways. These are meant to offer more vertical space that horizontal. These are the best when the  floor space is limited, your entryway is part of a corridor or if you mainly need hooks and minimal shoe storage. 

2. Corner hall tree 

Houses are filled with unused corners. These hall trees turn those unused spaces into functional storage. This serves as a good option if your straight wall space is limited in your entryway. Since corner wall tree fits snugly into corners, you ont have to sacrifice the space of your walkway. 

3. Hall tree with bench

Hall tree benches are extremely useful if you want a dedicated space to put on your shoes. Many usually carry their shoes all the way from their shoe racks to the couch to put on their shoes and others simply put their shoes on standing up. A place to sit on is always essential if you put on shoes for work everyday. It is also a space that you can put you toddlers on to help them with their shoes. 

4. Antique hall tree

These are vintage hall trees that adds more decor to the house rather than storage space. Compared to modern hall trees these are usually fitted with mirrors, benches and draws offering minimal storage space. Most of these belong to the category of solid wood hall trees. 

If you’re looking for a versatile hall tree that does more than just hang coats, check out the Garvee Home Hall Tree Coat Rack with Shoe Cubbies and Drawers
It combines coat hooks, shoe storage, and drawers in one multifunctional piece to keep everyday essentials organized and accessible.

Hall Tree Organization Ideas

Let us examine some real life storage and clutter problems that hall trees can solve. These hall tree organisation ideas will give you information on how to make your entryway space functional and clutter free. 

1. Create a pickup and dropoff zone

Crazy workday and school mornings is a struggle. Not only do you have to pack and lot of things to leave, you have to find your keys, your coat and put on your shoes before leaving. If you have thrown these things around  the previous day finding it now would be hard because you might not remember where exactly you placed it. 

Organisation idea

This is why it is necessary to create a pickup and drop off zone in the entryway.

• Hooks that hold daily jackets and coats
• Racks that hold shoes and bags
• A small tray or shelf for keys, sunglasses, or wallets

An entryway hall tree will give you all of these functionalities creating a pickup and dropoff zone for rushed mornings and tired evening. You know where to look for anything when you head out and when you come back all exhausted you know where things go so you don;t have to launch a search for your car keys tomorrow. 

2. Create a storage space for everyday things

Seasonal coats, rarely used bags, and backup shoes slowly pile up in the entryway. Broken pet leashes, old shoe cleaners, broken umbrellas, etc., sometimes end up cluttering the entryway. An entryway hall tree limits the storage to everyday essentials only. This means that you would know what needs to be stored in the entryway and what can be stored elsewhere in the house that is not needed everyday. 

Organisation idea

Treat your hall as prime real estate that needs to be a restricted storage space.

• Designate hall tree hooks for items used 3–5 times a week
• Designate closets or bins to store everything else for everyday use
• Assign each person to a specific set of hooks and racks

Since everyday things create the most clutter, squaring this away in specific places will naturally tidy up your homes. 

3. Demarcated spaces in large homes

If you have a large family, then it is necessary to share the entryway for each of your belonging. Each person needs to have hook for daily jackets and at least two or three racks for shoes. There could be other things also they want to keep in the entryway. In family homes, coats get stacked on one hook, bags get mixed up, and no one knows what belongs to whom, especially during school weeks.

Organization idea

Mark off areas and assign specific set of hooks and racks to people.

• One hook per person
• One shoe cubby or shelf per person
• Kids’ hooks should be slightly lower so they can reach them

Assigning spaces will mean that everybody will have a specific storage space where they can easily access things without it getting mixed up with the rest of the family’s belongings.

4. Pump the brakes on shoe clutter

Shoes are objects that is just scattered in the entryway, this is true for even when you live alone. Shoes are kicked off near the door and multiply fast. Even households that don’t allow shoes inside still struggle with piles. 

Organization idea

Use the hall tree to set some shoe boundaries:

• Daily shoes and frequently used footwear only allowed in the hall tree
• 2 - 3 pairs per person in the hall tree
• Everything else goes on a shoe rack inside 

This means that your walking shoes, footwear you wear to get to the garage or your front yard can be stored in the entryway hall tree. This can also avoid your clean shoes being stacked with someone else’s dirty shoes. 

5. Utilise vertical space and corners in narrow hallways

If you have a narrow hallway chances are that things would pile up very quickly creating a messy entryway in no time. For entryways that double as hallways, bulky furniture blocks movement and makes the space feel cramped. 

Organization idea

• Choose hall trees with more vertical storage
• Choose corner hall trees if the space if tight
• Choose wall-hugging designs that keep walkways clear

Corner hall trees fits into your entryway corner making way for a silent storage space with vertical area that can hold your things. It also doesn’t take up much space making your entryway look spacious.

If you’re looking for a clever way to maximize awkward spaces, check out the Garvee Corner Hall Tree with Hanging Clothes Rod, it’s designed to fit into unused corner spots while giving you hooks and hanging space for coats and jackets without blocking the walkway.

6. Creating a space for kid’s gear

Your kids will have cycle helmets, skating shoes, scooters, etc., Then there is school gear backpacks and school shoes. All of this needs a space in the entryway and it should be easily accessible to the kids. After all, you don’t want your 9 year old to holler at you every time they need to go on a bike ride.

Organization idea:

Design the hall tree around routines:

• Lower hooks for backpacks
• One or two cubbies for shoes
• One shelf or hook for helmets

Kids will learn organisation when you assign them set spaces to store their things. This will also lessen your workload as parents cleaning up after the kids.

7. Define your apartment entryway

If you live in an apartment chances are that you lack dedicated entryways, closets, or storage zones. A vertical hall tree can bring the much needed storage space to your home helping you organise things better.

Organization idea:

Use the hall tree to define the entry:

• Keep storage minimal and visible
• Limit it to true essentials
• Use it as a visual boundary between outside and inside

Storage furniture is always necessary in apartments to turn empty spaces into storage areas. This make the apartment look spacious and tidy.

Hall Tree Buying Guide: What Will Work for Your Home?

When homeowners start choosing hall trees it is easy to get lost in the aesthetics and the design that it will bring to your entryway. But what you should focus on is the storage problems it will solve. Have a look at the pointers below to know how to choose a hall tree:

1. Take stock of your entryway clutter

Observe the things that pile in the entryway and make a list of these things. Count the number of these things and then start your shopping. Match the number of things to the number of cubbies and other storage options your chosen furniture need to have. A family home with kids needs a hall tree with bench and storage that can handle volume.

2. Take accurate measurements

Matching the dimensions of the hall tree model you chose to the measurements of the space you are planning to install it is important. Here are the key measurements you must take:

• Wall width while leaving breathing room on both sides
• Depth of the entryway 
• Ceiling height to know vertical clearance
• Walkway clearance so you can walk past comfortably

3. Match the hall tree type to your clutter type

Different clutter needs different solutions. Every hall tree wont be able to accommodate all kinds of clutter. 

• Is your entryway clutter mostly shoes? Then look for a hall tree bench or a hall tree with shoe storage.
• If you have mostly coats and bags, you should consider hooks and vertical height more than cubbies. 
• A family home has mixed clutter so consider a hall tree with bench and storage helps separate items by person.
• If you have very limited space, a narrow hall tree or wall-focused design keeps things functional.

4. Check whether you need a hall tree bench

A bench isn’t decorative it’s more behavioral, something that will allow you to put on shoes without much struggle.

Choose a bench if:

• You put on shoes daily
• Kids or seniors use the entryway
• You want to stop shoes from piling on the floor

You can skip the bench if you have limited space, you store shoes in a designated shoe rack or if your walkway clearance is already tight. 

5. Carefully consider storage space

More storage isn’t always better. It often leads to overfilling, visual clutter and forgotten items. You should look for:

• Defined cubbies (one ot two per person works well)
• Open storage for daily-use items
• Limited depth so you don’t hoard items

6. Choose the right style

Style affects how organized a space feels. Choose a style that would make your entryway feel spacious and not cramped. 

• Modern hall tree has clean lines, fewer hooks. This is best if visual clutter stresses you out. 
• Farmhouse hall trees feature open hooks and benches. This is great for busy family homes.
• Antique hall trees are decorative and better for light use than heavy daily storage.

7. Pick your hall tree material

A solid wood hall tree is popular for handling daily wear better, especially in busy households. Lighter materials like metal can work, but may show wear faster with heavy backpacks, shoes, and coats. If you are planning to store:

• Heavy backpacks - choose solid wood hall tree
• Muddy shoes - choose metal hall tree that can be cleaned easily

If you have a large family and need a large storage space with multiple shoe storage spaces, check out the Garvee Industrial Storage Shoe Bench with Hooks. It combines a sturdy bench, handy hooks, and open cubbies so boots and sneakers stay off the floor and ready to go.

How to Keep Your Hall Tree Organized Over Time

A hall tree often looks its best in the first few weeks. Hooks are used correctly, shoes are lined up, and the entryway finally feels calm. The real challenge is keeping it that way months down the line, when routines slip and clutter slowly creeps back in. The good news is that long-term organization doesn’t require perfection, just a few realistic habits that fit everyday life.

Do small, regular resets instead of big cleanups

One of the biggest reasons entryways fall apart is that people wait too long to fix them. Instead of letting clutter build up, do a 5-minute reset once a week. Straighten shoes, move stray bags back to hooks, and clear anything that doesn’t belong there. This works especially well in busy households where weekdays are packed and weekends already feel full.

Rotate items seasonally

Hall trees work best when they only hold what’s relevant right now. Heavy winter coats, rain boots, or sports gear don’t need to live there year-round. At the start of each season, do a quick swap, remove what won’t be used for a while and bring in what will. This simple habit keeps your hall tree from becoming overcrowded and makes daily items easier to grab.

Keep strict limits on what lives there

A hall tree is not a storage unit. Decide early how much space each person gets, one or two hooks, a specific shoe cubby, or a single basket, and stick to it. When something new comes in, something else has to leave. These limits are what prevent the slow buildup of clutter that makes people abandon the system altogether.

Revisit hook and shelf placement as routines change

Household routines evolve. Kids grow taller, work-from-home schedules shift, and seasons change how often coats or bags are used. If people stop using certain hooks or start dropping items elsewhere, that’s a signal, not a failure. Adjust hook heights, reassign shelves, or repurpose storage so the hall tree continues to match how your household actually functions.

Don’t let the bench lose its purpose

In many homes, the bench is the first feature to fail. Mail piles up, bags land there “just for now,” and soon it’s unusable. To prevent this, give the bench one clear role, usually sitting and shoe access. Anything that doesn’t support that role should move elsewhere. When the bench stays usable, shoes are less likely to end up scattered across the floor.

Teach the system, don’t just set it up

If multiple people use the entryway, especially kids, organization has to be explained once, not enforced constantly. Show where backpacks go, which hook belongs to whom, and where shoes should land. When everyone understands the system, you won’t be the only one maintaining it.

A hall tree stays organized not because it’s styled beautifully, but because it’s easy to use and easy to reset. When the setup supports real routines, rushed mornings, shared spaces, changing seasons, it naturally holds up over time and keeps your entryway working the way it should.

A messy entryway isn’t just an eyesore, it’s a daily source of friction. Shoes in the way, missing keys, coats draped over chairs all add unnecessary stress to routines that are already busy. A well-chosen hall tree helps solve that problem by giving everyday items a clear, functional place to land the moment you walk in.

The key is not buying the biggest or most stylish option, but choosing a hall tree that fits your space, your habits, and the way your household actually moves. When the right features match the right routines, whether that’s shoe storage, hooks for bags, or a bench for quick transitions the entryway should work well for all your entryway belongings. 

More to read

Hall Tree Buying Guide: How To Choose The Right Size, Style, And Storage For Your Entryway