10 Brilliant Entryway Shelf Ideas You Can DIY

Published on Apr. 02, 2025

Browse these entryway shelf ideas to get those creative juices flowing for your next DIY house project.

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When someone enters your home, you want to leave a good impression on them. If there’s too much clutter or it simply looks disorganized, it can be unappealing. That said, having an entryway shelf can provide an outlet to hold items and even add some personality.

Not sure what to do for your living space? Ahead, find some entryway shelf ideas to consider adding to your home to serve as storage, decor, or both.

Why Add a Shelf to the Entryway

According to Lisa Chun, DIY expert and founder of Our Home Becoming, an entryway shelf is a simple yet functional addition to a home. It helps keep essentials like keys, wallets, sunglasses, and mail organized. “It creates a designated drop zone, reducing clutter and making it easier to find everyday items before heading out,” she says. “They can be used for storage and organization, decor, or both.”

At the end of the day, if you’re a person with clutter or an eye for design, you could benefit from adding a shelf to your entryway.

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3D Backdrop

Add some dimension and a pop of color to your entryway with a 3D backdrop. This is a great option for homes where you want to show its personality through design and showcase work from local vendors and small businesses. Instagram user, @CitrusGroveCreations, posted a picture of this 3D entryway shelf that’s reminiscent of Nova Scotia sunset with rocks and waves.

What We Like About It: We like the use of color and dimension that brings this standard home decor element to life in a new and exciting way. Plus, the hooks make hanging everyday items such as coats, keys, and purses practical.

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Classic Wood Shelf

When it comes to modern appeal, you can’t go wrong with a wooden entryway shelf. Instagram user @ForestedWay posted this wood shelf that makes it easy to stay organized with its built-in ledge and hooks for those everyday essentials.

What We Like About It: We like the farmhouse aesthetic that adds a warm, natural look to a space and can be on the more minimalistic side.

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Geometric Shelf

Unless you’re a carpenter or professional craftsman, it may be hard to replicate this entryway shelf yourself, but you can commission this piece to a contractor. This rainbow-shaped shelf offers groovy ’80s vibes and adds the perfect touch of whimsy to any home. Instagram user @BensonDWelling added different vases and glassware to this shelf to spruce it up as opposed to keys and houseplants.

What We Like About It: This isn’t your traditional entryway shelf but rather a decorative statement piece that captures the eye. You can pick a color that matches the rest of your household decor or opt for a more vibrant color to give it a personality of its own.

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Picture Backdrop

A painted backdrop is one of the best entryway shelf ideas we’ve come across since it’s not only decorative but also transforms this generally lackluster household staple into a piece of artwork. Instagram user @Nohemiwooddesigns‘s shelf has a background of a sunset in the woods, suitable for any home, apartment or dorm room that needs art.

What We Like About It: This entryway shelf is fully functional, with hooks and space to store keys, house plants, and other miscellaneous objects.

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Table Shelf

A table shelf is not only practical for those keys, bags, and photo frames but can also offer depth to a bare space. The wooden material gives it more of a rustic farmhouse appearance suitable for more modern homes. Instagram user, @HillBuiltItCreations made this shelf and offer custom designs which goes to show just how versatile this entryway shelf can be.

What We Like About It: The legs of this shelf stick to the wall so they don’t take up floor space and they are intricately carved to enhance the overall appearance.

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@neutralswithsamWhen you don’t have space for an entryway you improvise to a floating shelf 🤍🕷️🕸️👻 Shop my home on LTK – 🔗 in bi0🫶🏽 Halloween decor, Halloween entryway, small home inspo, neutral home, cozy aesthetic♬ original sound – skingasm

Spooky Shelf

If you already have an entryway shelf that you love, then you can switch it up seasonally for some extra fun. TikTok user, @NeutralWithSam, posted this video transforming her shelf for Halloween by including decorative accents that can add new life to it.

What We Like About It: This is a great idea for those who already have an entryway shelf and are looking for new ways to make them fresh and exciting during the year.

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@interiorbykat Love this idea for an apt entryway from @ohhijanelle ! Keeps things organized without looking cluttered or cramped. #nogatekeeping #amazonfinds #founditonamazon #amazonhome#homedecor #tiktokmademebuyit#homedecorideas #tiktokmademedoit #interiordesign #homedecorinspo #interiordesignideas #interiordesigntips #interiordesigntricks #homedecortips #fyp #foryoupage #amazonhomefinds #aesthetichome #aesthetichomeDecor #diy #diyproject #diyhomedecor #lighting #shakira #interiordesignforeveryone #interdesigninspo #interiordesigntips #interiordesignideas #interiordesignforbeginners ♬ original sound – INTERIOR by Kat

Floating Shelf

A floating shelf is a suitable option for those entryways that don’t have too much room, whether that’s one for a tiny studio apartment or a townhouse. TikTok user @InteriorByKat posted this video of a floating entryway shelf that she installed herself with anchors, screws, and a screwdriver.

What We Like About It: This floating shelf from IKEA is only $30 and can be easily installed in your home in less than 20 minutes and with only three tools.

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Rectangle Floating Shelf

This is a unique idea for spaces with a staircase near the front door. Instagram user @Pimlicointeriors posted this rectangle floating shelf that they decorated with books, vases, and photo frames. It is super minimalistic and doesn’t take up a lot of floor space, making it a coveted option for homeowners.

What We Like About It: Unlike a traditional entryway shelf, this one serves more as a decorative piece to bring a space to life instead of being a placeholder for keys and purses (though, it can be that too).

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Bohemian Shelf

Bohemian home decor has been popular for years and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Instagram user @AuFaitLiving posted this boho-style entryway shelf that also serves as a coatrack. She put jackets, purses, and hats on it and a succulent on the top shelf for added decoration.

What We Like About It: Those who prioritize style will be fans of this boho shelf that has a natural finish and wooden exterior that can serve as storage and decor in a space.

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Pine Wood Shelf

A pine wood shelf is a classic, simplistic and functional option. It’s great for those spaces where you don’t want it to be the center of attention while still serving as a storage space. Instagram user, @WoodYouBuy, accented the shelf with a polaroid camera, hat, succulent, and notebook.

What We Like About It: This pine wood shelf is easy on the eye and can hold everyday essentials without taking up too much space.

About The Experts

Lisa Chun is a DIY expert and founder of Our Home Becoming who specializes in DIY how to’s, home and organization hacks, and daily deals.