If you don’t like that idea, consider this idea of simply making the front of your home a true open space.
It allows you to make sure that you are going to be able to invite your guests in freely, but it doesn’t block anything off.
More modern homes are font of this, though it means the coats and shoes will have to be stored elsewhere unless you want to use a coatrack somewhere.
It does mean that you have to keep your room “just so”, however.
