If your family is anything like mine, the entryway becomes the landing zone for every little thing—keys, spare change, a hair clip, a grocery list, and that one loose paper nobody wants to lose. This wall-mounted pocket emptier is a clever way to keep those everyday bits contained without adding a bulky basket or tray to a small space. By stacking brown leather coasters on a painted wood plaque and tucking strong round magnets behind them, you get a tidy catchall that looks polished and works hard.
I especially love this project for busy households because it’s quick, practical, and attractive enough to leave out in plain sight. The leather gives it warmth, the plaque makes it feel finished, and the hidden magnets add that little extra function that makes coming home easier—perfect for keys, clips, and lightweight metal odds and ends that usually wander off.
Materials
Instructions
1. Lightly sand the front and edges of the wood plaque until smooth, wipe away dust, and fill any dents if needed so the finished piece looks clean and intentional.
2. Paint the plaque front and edges with 1 to 2 even coats, letting each coat dry fully, then seal with a thin layer of matte topcoat or wax for a durable entryway finish.
3. Arrange the 5 leather coasters on the plaque in a slightly overlapping vertical stack, keeping the top coaster high enough for visual balance and the bottom coaster clear of the plaque edge.
4. Mark each coaster position lightly with pencil, then flip the coasters over and glue 1 magnet behind the top edge of four coasters and 2 magnets behind the center of the lowest coaster for the strongest catch point.
5. Let the magnets set until secure, then apply leather-safe glue to the back of each coaster around the magnet placement, leaving the lower half of each coaster unglued where it overlaps to create a shallow pocket effect.
6. Press the coasters onto the plaque following your pencil marks, overlapping each one by about 1 inch so they form a layered stack, and clip or hold them in place until the adhesive grabs.
7. Attach the sawtooth hanger or D-rings to the back of the plaque, add felt pads at the lower corners, and let the whole piece cure completely before hanging.
8. Mount the plaque at entryway height, then tuck mail, receipts, or sunglasses into the leather layers and let keys or other lightweight metal items catch onto the hidden magnets behind the coaster stack.
Variations & Tips
For bigger families: Use a 10 x 16-inch plaque and 6 to 7 coasters so there’s enough room for everyone’s daily grab-and-go items without crowding.
Color choice: I love a soft black, cream, olive, or warm greige plaque with brown leather because it feels classic and hides everyday wear nicely.
For picky clutter spots: If one person always drops only keys and another always carries sunglasses, dedicate one coaster layer to each type of item so everybody knows where to reach.
Magnet strength: Choose strong neodymium-style round magnets so keys actually hold; lightweight clips, bobby pins, and small metal flashlights also work well, but heavier key rings may need 2 magnets behind one spot.
Pocket depth: Don’t glue every edge flat or you’ll lose the pocket function; leaving part of each coaster free is what lets the stack hold receipts, coupons, and folded notes.
Leather substitution: Faux leather coasters work too if you want a budget-friendly version, but test your glue first because some finishes resist adhesive more than real leather.
Finishing touch: A small brass hook screwed into the bottom of the plaque can add one more place for a dog leash or a reusable shopping bag without taking away from the clean look.