*This post was sponsored by AllModern. All opinions are my own.

One thing that we compromised a little bit on when we chose to make this retro brick ranch our home was the lack of an entryway. This house doesn’t really have one since the front door opens into the living room, and the side door (the one we use most of the time) enters right into the kitchen. With so many doors, appliances, and counters situated just inside our exterior doors, we have no place for a proper mudroom with a bench and hooks for storage.

Instead, we’ve had to get extra creative with the one hall closet that we have. That’s where we keep things like coats, hats, gloves, and even pet carriers. But I really craved something a little more decorative for our entry—something that could show off a few of our favorite “just for fun” pieces, while still corralling the items we need on a regular basis as we’re coming and going from the house (think: dog-walking bags, stamps, tissues, library books, etc.).

After a little thought and brainstorming, I figured out that we had juuuuuuust enough room on one wall near the front door for a bookshelf that I could repurpose as an entryway command center of sorts.

To help make this story come to life, I partnered once again with my friends over at AllModern. Keep scrolling to read all of my tips, with plenty of close-ups and pulled back photos to show how our entry is looking these days in case you want to copy the look!

From Bookshelf To Entryway Console:

1. Choose a bookshelf with open shelving so everything is within easy grabbing distance as you’re running out the door.

2. Save a shelf just for checked-out library books. That way, they’re all in one spot so, hopefully, you never have to worry about an overdue fine again.

3. Find sleek containers or closed boxes to hold everyday things like bags for dog-walking, keys, and stamps—anything you might need handy just inside your main entry.

4. Baskets are a no-brainer to hold things like hats and gloves in the winter, sandals and sunglasses during the summer, or just-in issues of the magazines you’re subscribed to.

5. A paper tray is an easy thing to set up, and allows you to have one place for bills and other mail that needs to be taken care of.

6. Keep a pencil cup out in the open. You never know when you’ll need a writing utensil in a pinch!

7. Tissues are a year-round commodity in our household (but especially during allergy season), so I like to keep a box right inside the front door. A nice reusable wooden box from the craft store helps make cheap cardboard tissue boxes look stylish.

8. Don’t forget plants and decorative items! Obviously, you’ll want to focus your styling on practical storage solutions, but since your entry bookshelf is right in the open, it helps to fill empty spots with decorative things that will make your smile, like live or faux plants, your favorite non-library books, and eye-catching sculptural pieces, too.

9. Finally, a flat printed rug makes vacuuming easy in this type of high-traffic area of the home.

So, what do you think? Could you set up an entry command center like this one? I know you can, and it’s a great way to pass the time if you’re stuck at home right now. John and I actually took advantage of the gorgeous spring weather here in Virginia by putting our new bookshelf together outside under our covered carport. It was the perfect low-stress project to work on, and allowed us to breathe that sweet fresh breeze in deeply.

Big thanks to AllModern for helping to bring my vision to life, and feel free to check out all of the linked products at the bottom of this post so you can get a head start on styling your own mod entry. Got a question or two? Leave them in the comments below!

Skye Persian Inspired Rug // More Rugs	Hodge Display Bookcase // More Bookcases	Traditional Wicker Basket // More Baskets + Bins
Modern Pothos Ivy in Pot // More Faux Plants	Accent Vanity Tray // More Accent Trays	Reiff Tumbler // More Accessories
Floor Wicker Basket // More Decor	Abstract Sculpture // More Modern Sculptures	Alvin Metal Basket // More Home Accents