5 Star Entryway Ideas That Will Make You Go Wow!

Image Credit - Lindsey Brooke Design

You shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but we say it's fair to judge a home by its entrance. It’s easy to forget the entrance is the most significant space in your home and can often be neglected; lost in piles of coats, umbrellas, and scarves. The entry is the first and last impression when walking through your front door, so it should leave you feeling inspired and on top of your game. So why approach this space as an afterthought?

Go above and beyond. After all, it’s the area that welcomes people into your home. Use clever design features to get organised, brighten the space and leave a lasting imprint. An attractive entryway will make a home feel more inviting, but knowing which steps to take to accomplish this aesthetic may seem unclear. To help you pack more style and function into your current foyer we gathered a few of our favourite design tips to really make a five-star impression.

WORK FROM THE GROUND UP

Image Credit - Pinterest  Rug Choice - ELIZA

If there's one item that can instantly transform the look of your hallway, it's a striking rug. Runners are excellent for any long, narrow space in a house, and hallways are often the most prominent. Those with hardwood floors know a runner can protect, provide warmth, and even add a little pop of colour in an otherwise dreary space. The special purpose of a hallway runner is to provide a little bit of traction, and a whole lot of protection for one of the most heavily travelled areas in any home. 

(Note to self: Get one that's easy to clean!) Read our care guide here.

EXTRA STORAGE

Image Credit (left to right) - Decor Pad, Elle Decor, Bedrosians, Pinterest

Do you have a dedicated entryway in your home? The entryway is the first room your guests will see as they enter your house. But if you find the floor cluttered with a pile of discarded coats, boots, and umbrellas, this can give people the wrong first impression. Reclaim the space, putting hallway storage at the forefront of your mind when planning your decorating scheme. Storage specifically suited to holding those items; using the extra space to its full potential will help you create an area that’s both attractive and practical for you and your family to use every day.

A BOLD DOOR COLOUR

Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest, Decoration Love

Many people overlook interior doors when they should use them to make a decorative statement. The foyer doesn’t always have to be subtle or neutral. A door painted a contrasting colour to the wall will create a bold pop of colour, it will define and draw attention to the space, but it’s also going to visually chop up a small space as well.

Pastel colours lend themselves to a shabby chic-style; deep shades of green or red have classic appeal; bright colours have a modern edge; while pairing white with black, pale grey or tan helps create a minimalist look.

HANG A WALLCOVERING

Image Credit (left to right) - Apartment Therapy, Pinterest

As a way to define the space and strengthen those first impressions, don’t clutter the space with anything extraneous. Take advantage of the wall facing you when you walk in by hanging your favourite piece of art. This is the first thing people will see when they walk into your home, so it should be personable and purposeful. Starting with artwork is also an easy way to build a coherent colour scheme for the space.

PULL UP A BENCH

Image Credit (left to right) - Apartment Therapy, Pinterest

Function First: Of course you want your entryway to be bold and beautiful, but you also want it to serve its purpose. One thing that most hallways tend to miss is a place to sit. Naturally, you’re not going to invite people to pull up a chair in your front entrance, but a place to sit gives a convenient spot to slip on shoes or sort through the mail when coming and going. Start with a bench for people to sit on, coupled with a set of hooks for anything from hats to handbags, or even a wee chair pressed up against the wall by the door, will suffice.

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL

Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest, The Haven List, Pinterest

Entryways are notoriously snug in some homes and others can suffer from a lack of light. Bounce some brightness into the hallway by angling a mirror directly across the source of light; hanging it by the front door isn't merely for checking your outfit on the way out, you can essentially increase whatever natural brightness you have to make your entry feel larger and more open.

If you haven't got a defined hallway space to utilise these ideas, head over to our 10 Tips for Small Open-Plan Living to help you enhance your layout. 

Did you like our post on Entryway Design Ideas? Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest and Instagram.