Space-Saving Hallway Storage Ideas Using Chests of Drawers

Key takeaways

• Measure your hallway width, then aim for a chest of drawers that uses no more than one third of that width in depth so you keep a comfortable walking route.
• Use tall, narrow drawer units to take advantage of vertical space; a slim four-drawer fabric unit like the Songmics 4-drawer fabric chest can add a lot of storage without blocking the hallway.
• Think in zones: keep shoes low, everyday items at waist height, and spare or seasonal things higher up to make your hallway feel naturally organised.
• Combine drawers with wall hooks, shelves and baskets to use both floor and wall space, rather than relying on one big piece of furniture.
• Keep the top of your hallway chest mostly clear, limiting surface clutter to a tray for keys, a post organiser and perhaps a small lamp or plant.

Planning your hallway layout for space-saving storage

Before you even look at furniture, it helps to understand exactly how much space your hallway can spare. A tiny difference in depth can decide whether a chest of drawers feels streamlined or like an obstacle you constantly brush against.

Start by measuring the narrowest point of your hallway from wall to wall. As a simple rule of thumb, aim for furniture depth to be no more than one third of that measurement. So if your hallway is 90 cm wide, look for units around 30 cm deep; if it is 110 cm, you may be able to stretch to around 35 cm.

You might already have other pieces in the space such as a radiator, shoe rack, or door that opens into the hallway. Measure from those obstacles to the opposite wall, not just from skirting to skirting. This gives you a more realistic idea of the usable depth where a chest of drawers will sit.

Finally, think about traffic. If the hallway bends, or doors open across it, keep bulkier furniture on the straighter, calmer stretches. A tall, narrow unit at a dead end often feels tidier than a low, wide unit right beside the front door.

Choosing the right type of hallway chest of drawers

Not all chests of drawers work well in an entrance. Wide, deep bedroom chests tend to feel heavy in a corridor, while very low units can eat up valuable floor space without delivering much vertical storage. Three types tend to suit small and narrow UK homes best: slim narrow chests, tallboy-style towers, and lightweight fabric or mixed-material units.

Narrow hallway chests usually keep the depth to around 30–35 cm but may be a bit wider, giving you more top surface for trays and organisers. They sit quietly along a wall and can double as a compact console table. Tallboy units are narrower but taller, often five or more drawers high. These shine in tight spots near doorways or on short walls where floor space is limited but ceiling height is generous.

Fabric or mixed-material drawer chests, often combining a metal frame with fabric drawers and a slim top panel, are another useful option. They are usually slightly shallower and lighter than solid wood units, so they feel less imposing in small hallways and are easier to move for cleaning or rearranging.

If you want more help comparing the pros and cons of different shapes and formats, the guide on types of hallway chests of drawers: tallboy, narrow and wide goes into more detail on which style works best for which kind of hallway.

Using shallow-depth chests effectively

Shallow-depth units are the secret weapon of compact hallways. Reducing the depth by even 5–10 cm may not sound like much on paper, but in a narrow corridor it can be the difference between walking comfortably and turning sideways to pass.

When you choose a shallower chest, think about what you will store. Drawers around 25–28 cm deep are ideal for items that do not need a lot of front-to-back space: gloves, scarves, umbrellas, keys, small tools, batteries, dog leads, and everyday paperwork such as forms waiting to be filled in.

If your hallway can only accommodate a slim unit, treat it as a vertical organiser for small essentials rather than trying to cram in bulky shoes or bags. Keep those in another zone, such as by the back door, under the stairs, or in a deeper shoe bench in a wider part of the home.

To avoid drawers becoming a jumble, you can add small boxes, trays or dividers inside each one. This works especially well with lighter chests like the Songmics 4-drawer fabric storage unit, where each fabric drawer can be turned into clearly defined compartments.

Going vertical with tall and narrow units

When you cannot expand outwards, you expand upwards. Tall, slim chests of drawers take up very little floor space yet give you five or more levels of storage. This is particularly useful in period UK homes where ceiling heights are generous but hallways are tight.

Position tall units where they are least likely to be brushed against, such as the end of the hallway or against a longer wall away from door swings. If the piece is quite high, consider fixing it to the wall with the supplied safety fittings, particularly in homes with children or pets.

A tall white chest, like the five-drawer design in the Vida Designs Riano range, can visually recede into the wall, especially against a pale background. Even if the footprint is compact, you still get a series of drawers that can each take a surprising amount of hallway clutter off show.

To make the most of the height, keep the top drawer for light, everyday bits you reach for often, such as keys, masks, sunglasses or dog treats. Lower drawers can handle weightier items such as shoe care kits, spare bulbs and tools, or folded tote bags.

Zoning your hallway storage like a pro

Thinking in zones helps your hallway feel organised and intuitive, even when space is tight. Instead of one catch-all drawer for everything, assign each level of your chest a clear role. This reduces rummaging and makes it easier for everyone in the household to put things back where they belong.

A simple approach is to create shoe, bag, and post zones. For example, bottom drawers can be for shoes or slippers, middle drawers for scarves, hats and bags, and the top drawer for letters, stationery and day-to-day essentials. Label the inside of each drawer front if that helps family members remember.

Combining these zones with nearby hooks or shelves makes the system even smoother. Put coat hooks or a peg rail directly above the chest so the journey from coat to drawer is just one step. The guide on hallway chest of drawers ideas for stylish entrance storage has more inspiration for pairing drawers with wall features.

Over time, you can tweak the zones based on how you actually use the hallway. If shoes build up faster than expected, dedicate two bottom drawers to footwear and move bags into a basket on top of the unit or onto hooks by the door.

Try to match each drawer to one task or category. The more specific the job of each space, the less likely your hallway storage is to become a mixed ‘junk drawer’.

Simple layout formulas for small UK hallways

A few basic layout ‘formulas’ can make planning your hallway much easier. Rather than guessing, you can apply these rules and adapt them slightly to suit your exact dimensions.

Formula 1: One-third rule for depth. As mentioned earlier, aim for furniture depth of no more than one third of the hallway width. This leaves roughly two thirds as free walkway. In an 85 cm wide hallway, that means a maximum depth of around 28 cm; in a 105 cm hallway, around 35 cm is usually comfortable.

Formula 2: Door clearance plus 10 cm. For doors that open into the hallway, check the swing arc of the door and ensure your chest of drawers sits at least 10 cm clear of that edge. This stops handles from catching and prevents the space feeling cramped every time you open the door.

Formula 3: Half-height visibility. In very short or dark hallways, try to keep storage furniture to no more than half the height between floor and ceiling for most of the run, so the space does not feel overpowered. If you need a tall unit, place it at the end of the hallway as a focal point rather than along the side where it can feel looming.

Estimating storage capacity in real terms

It is much easier to choose the right chest of drawers when you can picture what actually fits inside. Instead of focusing only on litres or centimetres, translate drawer space into everyday items.

A typical shallow hallway drawer (around 10–15 cm high and 25–30 cm deep) can usually hold several pairs of rolled gloves and hats, a couple of scarves, and a small tray of keys and odds and ends. That means one drawer can cover winter accessories for one or two people.

Deeper lower drawers might fit three or four pairs of adult shoes when placed heel-to-toe, or more if you are storing children’s shoes. A fabric drawer in a unit like the Songmics fabric chest will often take two rows of shoes or several folded canvas bags and umbrellas.

As a rough guide, a four-drawer unit can usually handle a family’s everyday hallway needs if you plan the zones well: one drawer for post and paperwork, one for accessories, one for bags or dog items, and one for spare shoes or maintenance bits like polish and brushes. If you have more people in the household or store seasonal gear here, consider a five-drawer or wider unit.

Combining drawers with shelves and wall hooks

Chests of drawers only occupy the lower portion of your hallway walls, which leaves a lot of vertical space above them. Using this zone thoughtfully can multiply your storage without taking up any extra floor area.

A row of sturdy hooks or a peg rail above the chest provides instant hanging space for coats, bags and dog leads. Because the chest stands below, visual clutter is contained into one vertical strip instead of spreading across the entire hallway.

Above eye level, one or two simple shelves can hold boxes or baskets for less frequently used items such as seasonal hats, spare light bulbs, or decorating supplies. Keep these shelves shallow so they do not protrude too far into the space.

If you are comparing options, the article on hallway chest of drawers vs console table with drawers explores when it makes sense to choose a drawer-based solution and when a console with open shelves might suit you better.

Keeping the top surface clutter-free

The top of your hallway chest can quickly become a dumping ground. To keep it under control, decide what genuinely needs to live there, then create a simple, repeatable system.

A small tray or shallow basket works well for keys, coins and headphones. A letter rack or standing file holds incoming and outgoing post. If you like, add a small lamp or a plant to soften the look, but avoid stacking lots of ornaments that make the space feel busy.

For white, bedroom-style units such as the four-drawer and five-drawer Riano designs, a contrasting tray or wooden organiser on top can also break up the expanse of surface and help anchor everyday items in one place.

Make it a habit that anything which cannot fit into the designated tray, rack or top drawer goes elsewhere. This small rule keeps your hallway from becoming the home for everything that has not yet found a proper place.

If the top of your hallway chest is always overflowing, it is usually a sign that you need one more drawer, box or hook, not that you should simply tidy more often.

Material and style choices that boost a sense of space

Appearance matters in a narrow hallway. Dark, heavy-looking furniture can make the space feel smaller, whereas lighter colours and simpler lines usually help it feel wider and brighter.

White or light wood chests, like the compact pieces from ranges such as Vida Designs Riano, tend to blend into pale walls, which makes them feel less bulky. Fabric and metal units with slim frames, like the rustic and black Songmics fabric chest, visually ‘float’ a little more than chunky wooden pieces.

Hardware also plays a part. Slim, simple handles and flat drawer fronts keep things looking streamlined. If your hallway is especially small, avoid very ornate or protruding handles that may catch bags or clothing as you walk past.

For help weighing up the pros and cons of wood, MDF and metal in busy entrance areas, the guide on wood, MDF or metal hallway drawers: which material to choose can help you match your hallway conditions and style preferences to the right construction.

Example space-saving setups using real products

To make these ideas more concrete, here are a few example setups using real-world products that suit small UK hallways. These are not the only options, but they illustrate how different types of chests of drawers can be used in tight spaces.

Example 1: Compact fabric unit in a narrow corridor

In a narrow flat hallway where every centimetre counts, a lightweight fabric-and-metal chest can be ideal. A four-drawer piece such as the Songmics 4-drawer fabric chest offers a slim footprint and soft-sided drawers that are forgiving if brushed against.

You could use the top drawer for everyday post and stationery, the second for hats and gloves, the third for dog items like leads and towels, and the bottom for lightweight shoes or slippers. Hooks above handle coats and bags, while a small tray on top gathers keys and wallets.

Example 2: Tall white chest on a short hallway wall

In a small house where the hallway widens slightly at one end, a taller wooden chest can provide more structured storage. A simple five-drawer unit such as the Vida Designs Riano 5-drawer chest offers multiple levels while still looking clean and bright in white.

Here you might dedicate the top two drawers to admin and accessories, a middle drawer to bags and small tech, and the bottom two drawers to shoe care and spare footwear. The flat top gives you space for a lamp and a narrow post organiser without feeling crowded.

Example 3: Low four-drawer unit under a wall shelf

Where you have a long, low stretch of wall, a shorter four-drawer chest like the Vida Designs Riano 4-drawer chest can sit neatly beneath a row of hooks and an overhead shelf. This creates a tidy vertical column of storage from floor to ceiling.

Use the drawers for things you would rather keep hidden, and the shelf above for labelled boxes of seasonal gear. This combination makes your hallway feel deliberately designed rather than pieced together from odd storage solutions.

Conclusion

A well-chosen chest of drawers can transform even the tightest hallway into an organised, welcoming space. By respecting the one-third rule for depth, using tall and narrow units where floor space is scarce, and zoning your storage clearly, you can hide everyday clutter without making your entrance feel cramped.

Light, slim units such as fabric drawer chests or compact white wooden designs offer generous storage while keeping the hallway bright. Pieces like the Vida Riano 5-drawer chest or a slim fabric unit similar to the Songmics 4-drawer storage chest can be adapted to many layouts.

Once the right piece is in place, focus on simple habits: keep the top surface clear, label or mentally assign each drawer a job, and use wall hooks and shelves above to finish the system. With those foundations, your hallway can stay calm and functional for the long term.