Hallway storage bench

Materials: Besta shelf units, Inreda drawers

Description: I wanted something in our front hallway where we could store shoes, umbrellas, gloves, etc; put the mail and house keys; and have somewhere to sit when putting on or removing shoes (we like to keep the house shoe-free as much as possible).

I bought three Besta shelf units -- two singles, one double -- and screwed them all together in an L shape. The open shelves at the bottom hold shoes, reusable shopping bags and umbrellas. I installed two Inreda glass drawers up top to hold smaller objects, such as gloves, scarves, sunglasses, bicycle lights, etc. Up top I have some baskets for mail and keys, and I found three square cushions at a futon store that perfectly fit the width of the bench.

~ Ali, Melbourne, Australia