Entryway transformation

As promised on Friday as part of the Five quick things...the quick entry way transformation.

Here is our "entryway".  Aka just a wall to the right of our door right when you walk in.  We have our office (now playroom) directly to the right of our front door when you walk in and the dining room entrance right to the left, so there is no closet for people to throw coats/things or really anything.  Not a huge deal by any means, but the other day I was looking at this measley little table and lamp sitting there that I purchased back in 2008 when I had my 655 sq ft condo and thought to myself - I can probably make this wall a lot more functional.

My biggest complaint was that during the winter when people have coats on and they come into our house (not even for a party but just like one or two folks) there is no place to put them unless I have them walk through our entire first floor of our house and drop them in the mud room area off our garage.  I mean it's a total #firstworldproblem, I know, but just thought I had some time that I could dedicate to transforming it.

So here's what I did!!!!

And here's a close up of the shelf (that I built) and the awesome sign (I got Jimmy this for Christmas) and mirror, along with all the fun accent items that I got at Hobby Lobby for the shelf.

(everything on the shelf is from the Hobby Lobby spring collection, mirror was on clearance at Bed Bath and Beyond that I've had forever and spray painted, sign is from Pretty in Polka Dots)

I LOVE it and since it's what we see every time we walk down the stairs (which you can probably relate is quite too often when you forget things or children are yelling at you to come get them, wipe their bottom, etc.). 

I love that the small bench is functional with the drawers to put outside stuff for the kids (shoved some scarves, boots, hats and gloves in there) and also if people prefer to take off their shoes they can take a quick seat there too.

As for the shelf/coat rack thing - I had a predicament there and the builder in me came out.  I couldn't quite figure out what to do with the space where the light switches were above because all the racks you buy at the store have hooks all the way across, which wouldn't work for us.  So I just ran to Home Depot, picked up 2 pre-cut 36 in boards, took my right angle clamps and the nail gun and a shelf!  Then I screwed the six hooks in and found a cheap picture frame at WalMart.  I spray painted that.  After painting the shelf with the paint that I keep on hand that matches my trim/cabinets, it was done!!  And I love it.  I just had to find the studs and get Jimmy to hold it up while I drilled it in.

I also used my mom's tip of taking wrapping paper to make sure it looks like you want it to.

And finally - a side by side for you.  I'm VERY happy with the pops of color and the functional additions to this small space!  

What do you think!!?