Often the entryway is the most neglected room in a house. This is not intentional, people simply tend to overlook this part of their home.
However, just like the exterior of the house and curb appeal, entryways make a big impression on everyone who comes to visit. And when it comes to impressions, the first ones are always important.
An entryway should be inviting, welcoming and it should reflect the rest of the house. It’s a space you see and walk into first, and as such, it should be cozy and it should also make you feel good, not just your guests, but you, too.
If you’re looking for ways to make your entryway more welcoming, you’re in the right place. We’re here to tell you all the right ways that can make your entryway stand out and become more inviting.
1. Entryway lighting
In many cases, entryways are small and dark places. The front door is usually the only source of natural light, as there are no windows. To make your entryway more inviting and thus welcoming, you should play around with the lighting.
To make your entryway brighter and to also make it seem bigger, you should invest in good lighting. If the ceiling is high enough, you can easily make this small space glamorous by installing a chandelier or a pendant light.
Both of these types of lamps will be able to provide elegance to your entryway space, but they will also be good sources of light, illuminating the space just enough.
If you don’t like the idea of hanging lights, a table lamp or a lantern will do just fine.
2. Add a mirror or glass panel front door
In interior design, mirrors are integral elements that can make nearly any room seem bigger. Mirrored surfaces attract natural light and reflect light as well. So, to make your entryway bigger and brighter, think about adding a mirror.
However, when adding the mirror, consider the size. A big mirror in a small entryway will overwhelm the space, and on the other hand, a way too small a mirror will be lost in the space.
Choose the right mirror size and also don’t forget to consider the frame style as well.
Similarly, if your entryway lacks natural light, you can consider installing a front door with glass panels. The glass on the door will let in natural light and still provide just enough privacy to your entryway.
3. Adding rugs and mats
Choosing the right kind of rug for your entryway can be tricky. You need to think about the size, the right colour, and the right kind of fabric for the rug. However, rugs, while being tricky to choose, can also do a lot for your entryway. They can give it softness and make you feel welcome in that space. Rugs can also bring in some colour, pattern, and dimension as well.
The entryway is a high-traffic area and before you decide to settle on a certain rug, think about investing in doormats. Doormats, especially outdoor mats are always a good idea. Their sole purpose is to trap all the debris and moisture from your shoes before you enter the house. That way, your entryway floor or rug won’t be always dirty or wet.
That’s why, before settling for a rug, invest in an outdoor mat and you’ll have to worry less about whether your rug can withstand the heavy traffic.
4. Be intentionally bold with your entryway style
Just because your entryway space is small it doesn’t mean that it can’t have character. Go bold right from the start. Paint the walls in bold and vibrant colours, create an artful story right from when you walk into your house or apartment.
Be intentional with every detail in your entryway, there is no place for boring. You can either paint the walls or install wallpapers. Entryways can also have accent walls. So, don’t hold back when choosing the colours for your entryway space.
5. Don’t go overboard with furniture
Regardless of how big or small your entryway is, the amount of furniture should always be minimal. You don’t need a sofa or an armchair in the entryway. Also, wardrobes or huge cabinets will only clutter the space.
You need to make space for passage since entryways are, as we mentioned, heavily-trafficked areas. If you want to place some furniture there, make sure it’s the right size and that it has a specific purpose.
Choose slim console tables or shoe storage cabinets that don’t overwhelm the space or block the passage. This brings us to our next point, which is multi-function furniture.
6. Multi-function furniture
The entryway is probably the only space in our homes that is used most frequently. As such, it tends to accumulate all kinds of clutter. And clutter in the entryway is not very welcoming.
To hide all the clutter and mess, you’ll need enough storage in your entryway. That’s why investing in multi-function furniture is the best solution.
This type of furniture can have a multipurpose, for example, you can have an entryway bench that can also act as storage. A console table that is also a shoe storage cabinet and so on.
7. Stairs area
Some entryways are right next to stairs or at least near them. Sometimes, these types of spaces can be difficult to make work, organize, and even decorate.
But that doesn’t mean that this place should be left bare and undecorated. Just because the space is awkward doesn’t mean that it can’t be beautified. Add patterned carpet to your stairs, change the railing into something more appropriate. Railings come in many different styles from modern to more traditional and everything in between.
If you have space under the staircase, use it. It can be a great storage space.
8. Let the entryway style reflect the rest of your home
Your entryway can be organized and decorated so that it foreshadows your home’s style. Decorate your entryway so that once someone enters your home they can see what the rest of your home will look like.
If your style throughout your home is shabby-chic, your entryway should give some indication of that. In case, you are more of a farmhouse-style kind of person, make sure everyone knows it right from the moment they step foot into your entryway.
9. Paint the inside of your front door
This is another very cool way to make your entryway welcoming and to accentuate the space. If your entryway is otherwise neutral and without much character, you can do something about it.
Make this space come to life with a pop of colour. Paint the inside of your front door in any bold colour you want. You wouldn’t believe how much a bit of paint can transform the space.
With just a couple of coats of paint, your otherwise traditional door can become more modern thus making the rest of the space more modern and bolder as well.
10. Entryway wall décor
Entryways too can be decorated with nice wall décor. Decorate and enhance this space with large abstract paintings or drawings, display sets of family photographs, add framed vintage band posters if you prefer, or simply go for a statement mirror.
Entryways are ideal places to display all kinds of art. There’s no better way to welcome someone to your home than with nice pieces of art or photography.
Entryways can be awkward spaces and decorating them may seem challenging at first. However, making an entryway more inviting and welcoming is a great way to make an awesome first impression on anyone who enters your home.
As you’ve seen, decorating and making this space more inviting can be easily done with just a can of paint. So, don’t wait a day longer, make your entryway stylish and welcoming.
