Do you need to have the clothes and shoes there? I'd take the doors off and make a recessed shelving unit for books, pottery [insert nic nak of your choice] and a lamp, and it would fit with the eclectic inner trollope.
Shoes and coats elsewhere, maybe a free standing armoire of some sort?

I moved the boot tray from the front door and we now use the back door through the garage mostly. Trouble is the few visitors we have had now leave their shoes on, and that really annoys me. I don't know why it annoys me but it does.

There isn't really any space for free standing anything, its a small house, 1000 sq ft., so we need that storage space. Especially in the winter when the garage will be too cold to keep coats in. Hmm. will have a think about where to move the storage to.

I just tell all visitors to take their shoes off. In the winter I have a boot tray by the door outside, though admittedly I am usually not dealing with Ontario style winters, just rain...rain...rain...

What if someone points at their shoes and asks you, in a way that means they really dont want to take them off? I think I need to be more assertive.

I just cheerily say that with all these kids and a dog, I just cleaned the carpets, so yes please. I also just say "leave your shoes right there on the tile, thanks".

I have seen those twee box things somwhere that say " Please take of your shoes" on them. They are usually next to those awful garden ornaments and chicken things people insist on sticking on porches.

Just a thought ... have you tried looking to see if they can be reversed? We had some a few years back and we were able to take them off their tracks and put them back up the other way around. I think the backs were wood and we just painted them. Might be worth checking if you haven't already done so.

J

ohhh now thats a good idea

I hadnt done so, so I did, and you can't.

It was a good idea though.

All this has got me thinking about rearranging the room completely now, and maybe doing the shelf cupboard thing.

When I have a better plan I will suggest some ideas to MOH....

When you say non-standard, what are the actual dimensions of the opening?

Why? are you going to make some doors for me??

Not a carpenter my dear.

I'm just curious and have a possible idea but can't say unless I know the dimensions.

Ah, instead of 36 inches they are 34 and the height is 79, the gap maybe 80 though without the runners

Is it possible to attach some 1x4 or something to either side of the opening to reduce it to 32"?

If so you could possibly get a 32" bifold closet door to fit that opening.

Just a thought.

Thanks Mandy - I don't have them that often so it's nice to be acknowledged - even if it didn't work ......

J

Did you try rotating them vertically too?