ud83dudcda Entryway Renovation Series u2014 8 of 10
u2190 Entryway Renovation Vol.7: Wallpaper Installation u00b7 Series Index u00b7 Entryway Renovation Vol.9: Switch Installation u2192
Hi there u2014 DIY Dad here! Continuing the first-floor entryway renovation. With the wallpaper hung and the seams finished off with joint caulk, the next step is mounting the shoe storage cabinet. Tool used: impact driver.
The installation method: open the cabinet door, drive screws through the back panel in the inner corners, and fasten directly to the wall. I worked carefully to avoid scratching the freshly finished wallpaper.
Door open, ready to fasten.
Screwed in and secured. The shoe cabinet is now firmly mounted to the wall.
One small confession: to do this job properly the lower section of the cabinet should have been disassembled first. I ran out of time and skipped that step. As a result, the wall area hidden behind the lower cabinet section still has bare drywall u2014 no wallpaper was applied there.
Can you spot where the wallpaper is missing?
You can see the raw drywall substrate there. Unless you look closely, you’d never notice u2014 so we’re going to officially not notice it either.
2026 Update u2014 Looking Back on the Completed Entryway
ud83duded2 RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Door Lock Replacement Sets
Change the lock between every tenancy u2014 security is non-negotiable.
Compared to the bathroom, the entryway had far fewer steps and is one of the more beginner-friendly renovation spaces. In terms of return on investment, though, it may be the single best renovation you can do on a rental u2014 the entryway is the first impression every prospective tenant gets.
Puttying Determines the Finish
After stripping old wallpaper the walls will have screw holes and surface irregularities. Fill them with joint compound before hanging new paper. Apply in thin, wide passes u2014 multiple coats. One thick application cracks as it dries. The sequence: base coat u2192 dry u2192 finish coat u2192 sand smooth.
Choosing Wallpaper for the Entryway
Go for a durable, wipeable vinyl wallpaper u2014 the entryway takes a lot of contact from bags and hands. DIY Dad used Sangetsu’s SP series: stain-resistant, easy to wipe, affordable, and consistently in stock.
Shoe Cabinet u2014 Off-the-Shelf with DIY Adjustments
The wall-mounted off-the-shelf cabinet from a home improvement store is the fastest installation approach. The key rule: always fasten into a wall stud. Drive screws into bare drywall only and the weight of shoes will pull the cabinet right off the wall.
As a Landlord u2014 What a Finished Entryway Means
The moment the entryway was done, the whole property’s impression changed. A clean, bright entryway communicates that the property is properly maintained u2014 and that directly affects whether prospective tenants want to sign a lease. After 15 years as a landlord, DIY Dad’s data point: spend 100,000 yen on the entryway, raise rent by 5,000 yen a month, and you’ve recouped the investment in under two years.
Originally published: December 17, 2016 (old Seesaa blog) | Rewritten: May 8, 2026
ud83dudcda Entryway Renovation Series u2014 8 of 10
u2190 Entryway Renovation Vol.7: Wallpaper Installation u00b7 Series Index u00b7 Entryway Renovation Vol.9: Switch Installation u2192
DIY Renovation Quote Review Manual
How to read, compare, and negotiate contractor quotes. This manual saved me u00a5800,000 on a single renovation project.
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15 years of landlord experience u00b7 3 apartment buildings u00b7 DIY renovations that saved millions of yen. Browse all articles at diytosan.com
