Help Me Make This Cute

By Jessica

One of my goals for this year is the complete organization and de-cluttering of my house. I need this for my sanity, NEED IT, and one of the first areas I've been tackling is the entry way by my front door. I had some "big dreams" of finding an entry table at a thrift store and using that as a way to keep the mail from crossing the threshold and continuing to take over the top of our bar. After the reality of my local Goodwill shattered that for me, I decided to rummage through my garage and see what I already had that might be able to work. 

Which is how I came to have this metal shelving thing brought into the house. 

It's not the prettiest thing going but it did suit a lot of the needs this area has: storage for my boots, a space for baskets to hold misc shoes and paper recycling, space for mailing needs (envelopes, stamps and an address book), someplace to put the mail itself and a space for my husband to put his work bag.

Right now all the mail is pretty much just slapped down on the top of the thing, I have one sad little candle holder over in the corner and the misc shoes are in an old picnic basket BUT it was such un-believable progress from how bad this area used to look, that I was willing to just live with it for a bit. 

I also have to admit being stumped by the unit itself. It's brown coated metal on the sides and shelves, with a wood laminate top and chrome accents. How exactly best to paint such disparate surfaces? 

Also, do I want to paint it a bright color and go with plain baskets? Or paint it white or black and go with bright baskets? And for the mail do I want something to sort it on the top or maybe some sort of magnetic sorter on the side and leave the top for display?

HELP ME!

Comments

[Caroline]

I'm not the one to help with the cute part, unfortunately, but I wanted to weigh in on the last question: if you leave the top empty, I feel sure that it will get filled with Random Stuff. Much better to have something with a clear purpose on top, in my opinion.

Good luck! These areas are so problematic; mine needs work, too.

[laurs]

I have seen a DIY where you get vintagey metal tins (think tea, gum) and you put a strong magnet on it and then you can attach it to the metal sides to hold your keys/mail/pens/random on the metal sides of the shelf.

If you can't paint it, could you try adhering a wallpaper (or adhesive type of decorative paper) that reflects your style to just the back wall of each shelf. Like this perhaps: http://pinterest.com/pin/24136547974872081/

[craftyashley]

The only thing I can think of is that Krylon spray paint that can be used on "anything." I would have durability questions there. Maybe just paint the laminate top to give it a new look?

Good luck! Can't wait to see how it turns out!

[J]

What is that red thing above your door?

[Meghan]

Shop Craigslist for something a bit more repurpose friendly....