A hall tree is a simple all-in-one solution typically used for organizing all of your grab-and-go essentials by the front door," Gill explains. "Instead of puzzle piecing together lots of separate components like cubbies, hooks, benches, and bins that may not look great together, you can set up shop in a single, streamlined unit." In short, hall trees help store all of the things you need on a daily basis in an easy-to-access location, reducing clutter in the process. Hall trees, or hall stands, became popular in mid-19th-century Victorian homes. They were designed in response to a very specific problem. During Victorian times, it was customary for homeowners to remove the clothing items intended for outdoor wear and leave them in a room known as the foyer before entering other parts of the home. With time, furniture was designed primarily to be used in the entrance room – the hall tree.

Hall trees are commonly constructed with hardwoods like oak, cherry, and maple, which are usually varnished and left in their natural state to show off the beauty of the timber. Contemporary hall trees incorporate materials like aluminum. And they are often available in a broader range of colors to suit your home décor. What Type of Storage Do You Need?The nifty hidden shelving and lovely wood paneling come with an unfortunate downside though: It's more difficult to get in all of its crevices while you're dusting. Though, if you don't mind putting in a little extra elbow grease on cleaning day, it makes for a stylish and practical focal point to add to the corner of any room. You can make the distressed wood look even better by adding a patina coat or oxidizing it. This helps to deepen the hues and preserve the material. Functionality-Based Options It also has square shelves as opposed to rectangular ones, so you can stash it in a corner rather than having it jut out from your wall. While this is probably enough space for one person (or two), it's likely not ideal for those looking for a hall tree to organize a collection of kid's shoes, for example. One caveat is that the bench has a fairly low weight capacity of 176 pounds. Although it’s sturdy enough for children to sit on, it might not accommodate larger adults. The bench is also made from particle board, which isn’t as strong as solid wood. Despite these minor issues, this hall tree has a sturdy steel frame and a contemporary design with an industrial feel. We think it's a total bargain, given how useful it is.

Measuring less than a foot wide, this ultra-sleek hall tree is a clever solution if you’re short on space. If you prefer the look of a traditional hall tree, however, this is probably not for you. This unit is only available in one color—white with oak accents. It has a powder-coated metal frame and top shelf for durability and only weighs about 40 pounds when fully assembled. If you live in a shoebox apartment, you know that each piece of furniture must be carefully considered, as there's no room for anything that's not essential. While hall trees are a great addition to apartments for their space-saving and storage-adding properties, they can be on the wider side and may not fit well into narrow hallways or awkward entryways. A hall tree is a great alternative to costly custom built-ins and an easy way to add an attractive and multifunctional piece of furniture to your home," says Gill. "For small spaces, a hall tree is also a great way to maximize vertical storage space while providing organizational solutions for coats, bags, shoes, and seasonal accessories in a single cohesive unit. " While it's easy enough for one person to assemble, the process may take several hours. That said, we suggest inspecting the box thoroughly upon arrival to make sure you have all of the parts before beginning. All in all, this is an attractive and versatile hall tree that will serve households with varying needs.The bird and branch style is among the most common hall tree you’ll find. It stands freely on a base or legs, so it can be conveniently moved from one location to another if needed. Bird and branch hall trees also don’t occupy a lot of room, so they can be positioned in small entryways without getting in the way. Hanging hall trees give you the functionality of a wall-mounted hall tree. Still, they are more convenient because they are not permanently installed on the wall. The coat hooks are usually already attached to or are constructed onto a plate. The whole contraption is then simply suspended over a door using fixing clips or attached to it via an adhesive, with no drilling necessary. The material you choose for the hall tree should be durable enough to withstand daily wear and tear and be aesthetically pleasing. Wood Safety is also an important consideration when looking for a hall tree for your little one. Hall trees that feature fabric padding along edges and corners will cushion their heads, elbows, and knees from bumps. A Final Word…