In this ranch style house, the front door dumps you right into the living room. The coat closet behind it is 5' wide and completely open. I'd like to move the front door over so it opens into the coat closet area, which would be separated from the living room by flooring type and the old sliding closet door header (2x8s attached to ceiling).

There would be no coat closet, only pegboard and a place to sit for shoes on/off for guests; the occupants would ideally use the downstairs entrance which has a mudroom, or store coats/jackets elsewhere.

Opinions? This is in MA, so winter clothing bulk is an issue.

thanks,
jim

Jim,

Sarah suggests that you check out The Taunton Press book Ranches first, to give you some good ideas for this type of house. Here is a link: http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/070555_tcpg.asp
Second, Sarah's new book, Inside the Not So Big House, has a few great entryway solutions that might help solve your problem. You can get the book by clicking on the books and articles bar to the left of this forum.

I hope this is helpful. Thanks.

That looks fine to me. It's perfect in its place. Nice architectural.
closets