First impressions are always important. This is especially true when it comes to a space as personal as our home, because that’s where we welcome family, friends, and even—on the occasional occasion—strangers such as delivery people, workers, salespeople, and so on. That’s why the entryway is one of the areas where we should pay the most attention to its appearance and presentation.
The fact is, we open the door to our guest, and there it is—what we also call the entryway. It’s the place that marks the beginning of a new “world,” where we’ve decided on every detail: the colors of the walls, the furniture, the style, and more. So the impression the newcomer takes away will depend on our choices—especially if they don’t go past the entryway to see the rest of the rooms.
So this space is our home’s calling card. Which brings us to today’s topic: how you can decorate the entryway of your home and offer you a series of tips and tricks so you can do it in style. Will you join us?
Decorating Ideas for Your Home’s Entryway
Make sure you leave enough space to walk through comfortably
The first “commandment” is to always keep in mind the function of a home’s entryway: it serves as the main thoroughfare, along with the hallway, since we pass through it every time we enter or leave. Therefore, we must carefully consider the space we have available and ensure it’s uncluttered so that anyone can move through it comfortably without bumping into any objects or furniture.
To give you an idea, if your entryway is small, it should be at least one square meter; and if it’s a hallway, it should be at least 1.20 meters wide so that walking through it isn’t uncomfortable.
Clearly mark the entrance
Since this is a space that serves such specific purposes, it’s best to clearly separate it from the rest of the rooms. The home’s design itself—with its partitions—can help you achieve this, though you can also use furniture arrangement, wall colors, or the area of a rug.
The entryway, always accompanied by a piece of furniture or a coat rack
Coats, wallets, clutches, keys, glasses, bags… there are so many items we carry with us when we get home that we’re probably eager to put down as soon as we walk through the door. So we need to make it easy on ourselves and find a piece of furniture that offers both comfort and functionality.
If our entryway is on the small side, a wall-mounted coat rack for hanging coats or bags and a small piece of furniture for storing essentials—like keys or glasses—might be all we need. Or even a small chair, bench, or stool that serves that purpose.
And if it’s larger, the options multiply, because there’s a wide variety of furniture that can be used to decorate your home’s entryway. It all depends on your needs; for example, if you usually take off your shoes as soon as you step into your home, you might opt for a practical shoe cabinet. On the other hand, if you tend to set down a lot of things when you come in, you’ll be better off choosing a entryway cabinet with a spacious surface.
Make the most of accessories
In addition to a piece of furniture or a coat rack, you can also set up or place other items commonly found in a home’s entryway. We’re talking about decorative accents—items that are perfect if you have a console table or side table with a good amount of surface area—and that will help you enhance your decor style.
We’re thinking of a vase or basket of flowers, a table lamp that provides indirect, cozy lighting in the afternoons or evenings, a small plate or tray to set your keys on…Not to mention other items you can use to decorate the walls, such as a mirror, (also) a lamp, or paintings and photographs.
Your home’s style starts at the entrance
You’ve probably decided to give your home a very specific. In that case, always keep in mind that your “personal touch” should be evident right from the entryway, so that the overall look comes together seamlessly. As we explained at the beginning, this area is an open book and says a lot about the people who live there, so you can use the entryway to make a great impression on your guests.
What if you like to take risks? You can do that, too—you’ll have the option to install a piece of furniture that stands out from the rest of the house’s style. This piece can have a unique design that really catches the eye, but remember to surround it with accessories that complement its design and color, such as a coat rack, mirror, or closet.
Go for what looks good (without sacrificing practicality)
A well-decorated entryway should encourage visitors to come in and spark their curiosity about what lies ahead in the house. Therefore, our goal is to create a space that evokes positive and inviting feelings.
In interior design, we usually aim to create combinations of furniture, colors, and layouts that are “pleasing” to the eye; and this focus should be even more pronounced in the entryway. So don’t hesitate to spend more time on its decor than on other areas of the house, since in addition to aiming for visual appeal, it’s essential not to overlook the practicality and functionality of the furniture you choose.
Take special care of the floor
The floor you and your guests will walk on also deserves special attention. Since it’s the first area you encounter when entering your home, it’s likely to be the most prone to getting dirty, as we usually walk on it with our outdoor shoes and bring in dust, dirt, sand, and so on. Therefore, as a top priority, choose a floor that’s easy to clean and durable. Don’t forget to look for slip-resistant properties, too, so you can use it without fear of falling or tripping.
All of this will be the main focus, and once that’s taken care of, you can move on to the aesthetic details. What’s more, the flooring is a key part of your home’s entryway decor, because you can choose from a wide variety of materials and designs to achieve different results. For example, wood adds warmth and a natural feel, but it’s not very resistant to dirt or moisture; laminate or vinyl flooring, on the other hand, is more durable and offers endless design options, although if it gets damaged, you’ll have to replace the entire affected section.
And if you already have flooring installed in your home, but you’re not entirely satisfied with it and want to try a new option without any hassle…go for a rug! It’ll add a touch of comfort, help define the entryway space, and let you choose the design you like best to complement the rest of the entryway’s decor.
What colors should I choose?
It makes sense that there wouldn’t be any windows in the entryway—just the door leading into it. This means it’s usually one of the least well-lit areas in the house, so it’s best to use light colors (such as white, blue, beige, or pink) to bring in some light and even create a sense of greater spaciousness.
And if you’re looking to create a much more personal and vibrant entryway, you can also confidently opt for bolder shades. Orange is a social and youthful color that’s sure to appeal to your guests, while black is a very elegant option that you can pair perfectly with white to achieve a look that’s understated yet intriguing. As for green, it can be a great choice if your style is natural and you’re decorating the space with plants or furniture made of wood, wicker, etc.
Put these stylish decorating tips to use right away to spruce up your entryway… and start wowing your guests!
What do you think of these 8 tips for decorating your entryway? Creating a striking and attractive look isn’t difficult, so we encourage you to put them into practice so your guests will have an unforgettable experience.
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