Storage Ideas
DIY Entry Bench Bookcase


BLACK+DECKER B+D Contributor 121 Projects
A porch, foyer, or defined entry space provides a transition from the outdoors into the home that can put guests at ease and make them feel welcome. Many homes, especially those built in the middle part of the 20th century, do not have any allowance for an entry area. You might think that the only way to add such a space, if you don’t have one, is to spend thousands of dollars building a small addition. But you don’t necessarily need walls to define a space. You can also divide a space with a structure. This built-in entry bench and bookcase do just that. It combines a bench where you can sit and put on your shoes, storage under the bench, and a bookcase that is just large enough to act as a virtual wall, separating the entry area from the rest of the room.
Functioning as a room divider, this combination bookcase/entry bench closes off space at the room entry. This has the effect of making the living space feel much cozier by creating a transition in the foyer area between the room and the door. The built-in also offers valuable shelf space on the living area side as well as a convenient storage seat and a coat rack on the door side.