Or you can find a hall bench with a set of deep cubbies with baskets that fit the storage space. That’s a great place to stash your purse, the kids’ lunch boxes, dog toys, or library books and DVDs that are waiting to be returned.
One multi-purpose version of the hall bench that provides lots of storage options is the hall tree. Pick the right one of these versatile pieces of furniture, and you have a central operations station for your home. If you lack a coat closet, the hooks on the back of the hall tree give you a place to hang jackets and sweatshirts. Find one with an umbrella stand, and you’ll never be scrambling when the skies look threatening as you’re getting ready to head out for the day. Most hall trees have an upper storage shelf, so you have a convenient place to put valuables (like your briefcase or laptop) that’s out of reach of prying little hands. Some hall trees are full featured and provide cabinets, bulletin boards, white boards, and a charging station for electronics.