Q: How do you add an entryway to your rental home without doing demo work and losing your deposit?
A: Easy. Just channel your imagination, build a bit of a bookshelf, and add a few accessories. Like muddy boots.
That’s pretty much what Ryan and I did in our living room. Remember how boring this wall was?
Well, I couldn’t take it anymore!! With the help of my dad, and [of course] some plans from Ana White, I created an inexpensive bookshelf to serve as an entryway table, complete with a boot shelf on the bottom.
Ok, so I didn’t end up building it – my dad did. But that’s only because I was busy helping my mom with things. As demonstrated by our nightstands, I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves and grab a power tool (or two).
So the shelf is all decked out for Christmas, even though it’s not stained or finished yet. I figured that it’s better to put it to work until I’ve got the time to slap some stain on it.
To make up for the unfinished top, I topped it with part of an old Christmas table runner that I sewed way back in the day – around 2002, by hand, because I had no sewing machine! Anyway, the fabric would have stuck off the ends like a sore thumb, except I used my trusty painter’s tape (yet again!) to tape the corners of the fabric down like I was wrapping a package. 
Next, I added another little wintry vignette, this time in an antique silver tray, with green yarn trees to match my pine scented candle and a few random sparkly pears for bling. A pair of Christmas shoe candle holders, which have been in my family for as long as I can remember, top off a small stack of books, and a small lamp adds a nice homey touch. It’s amazing what a difference a little mood lighting can do. Just having that lamp on when coming home to a dark house makes the place feel so much more inviting!
On the second shelf I added a few books, a beautiful Turkish bowl for keys, a seasonally-appropriate Christmas photo of the pups with Santa, and a few design books I love.
The bottom shelf provides a resting place for snowy boots and muddy shoes.
Don’t you just love how easily the bookshelf transforms the blank wall into a totally functional entryway? I know it’s not the most gourmet piece of furniture, but for the cost of $65 for a solid wood piece, it can’t be beat. Now I just need to get my butt in gear and stain it to match our living room furniture.
PS: Iif you’d like some free help with a decorating challenge in your rented home, (with our without the use of branches), drop me a line!
PSS: Shared at My Backyard Eden – check them out!
10 Comments
It does make a huge difference- really sets it apart as the “entryway.” Cool design, too!
Every time you offer the little note about helping with a decorating challenge in a rental, I’m sooo incredibly tempted to write in and say, “What do you do when your walls are made of tires?”
I love your wintery little shelf.
Katie
I love how your stockings are hung!!! And your entry too! You are incredible!
xo,
Jen
I never thought of using a bookcase in my entryway. That would be a great idea
Way to transform that wall! You go!
abby
It does define the function of the space perfectly without taking up a ton of room or blocking the walkway. That’s a tricky wall.
Is that Turkish bowl from Melissa? I believe that I have its red twin. =)
[…] three, and four of the Christmas Tree Disaster of 2010, to the cute Yarn Trees vignette to my new entryway bookshelf and my temporary tree branch stocking […]
[…] The entryway “before” (it was better than a blank wall) […]
[…] first attempt, which consisted of a home-built book shelf, was unsuccessful because I didn’t tape it out on […]