Your entryway sets the tone for the rest of your home. It’s the first thing your guests’ experience as they walk through the door. You want it to be warm and welcoming while showing off your personality so that people want to see the rest of your home.
In short, you want it to make a good first impression.
Want to take your entryway to the next level? No matter the size of your entry, we are covering how to make a statement with entryway design.
How Do You Ensure Your Entryway Is Functional?
When planning your entry design the first step is to think about your functional needs. Of course, you want it to be beautiful but an entryway also has a practical purpose. Think about how the space can best suit your lifestyle. Consider questions like:
What doesn’t work about your current entry?
- What aspects do you currently like?
- How do you want guests to feel when they first enter your home?
- How does your entry currently function?
- Is it the dropzone for shoes, backpacks, and jackets?
- Is it where all your mail ends up?
- Is it cluttered with all the things you grab while on the way out the door?
- Is it where people inevitably gather and chat?
Answering these questions will help drive the design process. You won’t want to create a stunning new entry and then realize it doesn’t meet any of your lifestyle needs. The goal is to achieve the perfect balance between style and functionality. Keep reading for our entryway design tips.
Make a Statement in Your Entryway With Patterned Floors
One way to make a beautiful design statement is with patterned floors in your entryway. There are plenty of different ways you can do this. You can go with a subtle pattern or something bolder.
Love hardwood floors? You can create gorgeous welcoming patterns using hardwood. Think diagonal, herringbone, chevron, or parquet as some pattern options.
Alternatively, you can install beautiful tile in your entry to showcase a stunning pattern. From Mediterranean-inspired mosaic tiles to solid colors, there is an endless array you can choose from. We love black and white stone or marble floors for the ultimate timeless look.
Add Rugs or Runners With Personality
Another flooring option is to add a rug or runner to help ground the space. It defines your entryway while bringing warmth and texture to the space.
The kind of rug you choose will depend on the style of your home and the amount of space you have. Options you can consider are a long runner, a bold area rug, or something neutral but textural. There’s no right or wrong way to do this, but consider avoiding anything too small like a doormat-sized rug. This will leave your entry looking awkward and won’t fully allow people to step into the space when they enter your home.
Think Thoughtful Wall Decor
An entryway is a great opportunity to set the design tone for your home with a thoughtful wall display.
If you love original artwork, think about featuring statement artwork in your entry. Either as a single oversize piece or a carefully curated gallery wall.
Or it could be a great spot to feature a display of your favorite family photos. A black and white series is always a classic option and will instantly elevate any photo or memory.
If you want to keep it more minimal or are working with a smaller space, a mirror is great to have in an entry. It reflects light, making the space feel brighter and open. It also has a very practical purpose allowing you to check your reflection on the way out the door.
Include Multipurpose Accents in Your Entry
To ensure your entryway is functional, think about including accent pieces that work double duty.
This could be in the form of a bench with storage underneath. Or place stylish baskets under a console table with drawers for additional organization.
If you have a staircase in your entry you can create a closet underneath for added storage.
Having storage options by your entry is really important, especially if your current space already feels too cluttered and is the drop zone for your family. Incorporate ways to keep clutter organized so your home has a fresh clean feeling upon entry.
Consider including accent décor with scents to help set the atmosphere as you walk in the door. Think candles, a diffuser, or fresh seasonal flowers.
Invest in a Statement Light Fixture
Another way to create a striking focal point in your entryway is with a central light fixture. Whether you’re looking for something antique or a striking modern piece, a statement pendant light or chandelier is a sure way to add some drama to your entry. It helps draw the eye upward and enhances the openness or scale of a space.
Lighting is also an important feature of an entryway as it affects not only the look of a space but also how your guests first feel when they enter your home. If you don’t have space for a grand statement light piece, think about incorporating recessed lighting, sconces, or a table lamp to ensure you have adequate lighting.
Add Some Wallpaper to Your Entryway
If you love wallpaper then an entryway is a great spot to feature a beautiful wallpaper, either for the full space or a single accent wall.
You can go big and bold with a pattern or color, or you can select something more solid and neutral. Keep in mind that the wallpaper you use will set the color pallet and tone for the rest of the space.
If you have a long and narrow entry, wallpaper with a horizontal pattern or stripe can help draw the eye down the space. If you’re working with lower ceilings then wallpaper with a vertical pattern can help draw the eye upward making it feel taller. For smaller spaces, lighter colors will also prevent the space from feeling too dark and tight. However, if the entry is well lit, then you can afford to go with a darker pattern or color.
No matter which route you take, wallpaper can add great texture, visual interest, and personality to your entry.
Let Your Entryway Staircase Shine
If you have a prominent staircase in your entryway, then you may decide to let it be the star of the show.
Including some contrast like light walls against a dark railing and steps can really make a staircase pop.
Select the other design elements with your stairs in mind, like a gallery wall along the stairs, a bench or table along the stair wall, or a stair runner to accentuate the steps. It’s best to keep your design elements minimal to let your staircase be the main event.
Or if you have a staircase with beautiful design and details incorporated already then just keep everything else around it clean and simple.
Get Custom With Entryway Solutions
If you’re working with a small space, awkward nooks, or just love custom furnishings, designing your entry is a good opportunity to include some custom pieces.
This could be a built-in bench in your entry nook, a custom bookcase to fit an awkward space, or a built-in storage unit with just the right amount of organization to fit your family’s needs.
When it comes to customization, the opportunities are endless, so really think about what the space could benefit from and what would make your life easier.
Consider Seating for Your Entry
Whether you have a larger entry or not, think about including seating. Especially if people need a place to sit by the door to put shoes on. Depending on your space, this could be in the form of chairs, a bench, a banquette, or a sofa.
Think you don’t have room? A single chair or delectate bench will often do the trick, without taking up too much space.
Make Use of Vertical Space
If you have a small or narrow entry then you’ll definitely want to make use of vertical space. Think vertical design solutions like shelving, hanging hooks, or a beautiful coat rack.
