Our Entryway Storage Solution When We Have No Mudroom

(AKA that time I turned an antique armoire into a parenting lifesaver)

Consider this a “halfway makeover” because I have big plans to make this wall and my latest furniture find way better.

But… if I had a nickel for every time I tripped over a backpack or shoe in our living room, I could probably build a mudroom from scratch by now. But alas, we live in a house that was built long before the concept of a “family drop zone” was even a thing.

armoire coat closet in an entryway for storage without a mudroom

There’s no entryway mudroom storage. No cubbies. Just a door from the garage that opens straight into the breakfast nook and living room and a bunch of belongings that somehow scatter like confetti every single afternoon.

But then one day, while scrolling Facebook Marketplace (as one does), I spotted it: the most beautiful antique armoire for a whopping $300.

It had those charming old wood doors, a worn patina, and a whole lot of potential. And in that moment, I had a light bulb moment. Who says an armoire can’t moonlight as a mudroom?

I still have plans to possibly pickle it or white wash it (maybe even black wash it or gel stain it) to neutralize that orange finish. And I’m toying with some other ideas for the entire living room (including the 3-stack of botanical art beside it). But for now, this is functional, and that’s what matters most.

Function > aesthetics

Where There’s a Wall, There’s a Way

We had this one blank wall in the back of the living room that wasn’t doing much. It wasn’t the grand entryway of my Pinterest dreams, but it was something.

So I measured, crossed my fingers, and messaged the seller. A few days later, that antique knockdown armoire was ours—and the makeshift mudroom magic began.

How We Transformed an Armoire Into the Ultimate Coat Closet

Let me tell you—this thing is working overtime now. We basically gave it a whole new job title.

Here’s how we made it functional:

Labeled Baskets:
Inside the armoire, I placed a storage basket for each family member and labeled them with our names with these gold clip label holders. It’s their personal drop zone for everything—keys, sunglasses, school papers, mystery rocks (if you know, you know). The other baskets I labeled for “hats” and “tote bags,” because apparently we own 37 of each.
Hooks Galore:
I installed antique style brass hooks on the back wall of the armoire and on the doors for jackets, bags, and scarves. Now, instead of backpacks ending up under the coffee table, they can neatly hang just a few steps from the door.

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Shoe Drawer Dividers:
The bottom drawer got a little love too. I added simple drawer dividers to create shoe compartments. And yes, it has mostly helped cut down on the morning “Where are my shoes?!” chaos.
Self-Check Mirrors:
Just for fun (and function), I added small mirrors on the inside of each door. Now we can do a quick check for spinach in our teeth or bedhead before heading out the door. It’s the little things.

Not only does our new armoire coat closet keep the clutter off the floor, it looks like a curated piece of decor. Unlike open cubbies or plastic bins, it actually enhances the room instead of shouting, “We’re barely hanging on over here!”

And it closes. Which means when things inevitably get messy (because, life), I can shut the doors and pretend we have our act together.

That’s the beauty of choosing closed storage over open storage. (If you know your family won’t keep things tidy 100% all the time, closed storage is your best friend.)

Entryway Mudroom Storage Without a Mudroom

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by a lack of entryway storage, but you don’t have a designated mudroom, an armoire might just be your golden ticket. You can create a fully functional family drop zone without needing to knock down walls or install custom built-ins.

It’s one of those storage solutions that makes me wonder: “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”

Now, let’s hope by the time the school year rolls around, my kids will be trained to use it like we’ve had a mudroom all along. Fingers crossed.

Now the question is… what sort of makeover should I give it? White wash? Black wash? Gel stain? Paint? Or leave it be?

I’m thinking I want to tone down the orange while still allowing that pretty wood grain to shine, but there are lots of ways to make that happen.

Entryway Storage Cabinets for All Budgets

Here are more armoires and storage cabinets for all budgets, if you want to skip the thrifting route to buy new. (But I’m gonna be the encourager to shop secondhand first to be eco-friendly and stretch your budget further.)

P.S. If you’re hunting for an armoire of your own, Facebook Marketplace is a treasure trove. I teach all of my FBMP shopping tricks in my DIY Decorator School™ course. You’d be amazed how many beautiful, solid wood pieces are just waiting to be repurposed into something practical and beautiful.