Entryways are multipurpose spaces if you think about it. Once you cross the threshold and enter your home or before you leave, it’s key that a few needs are met:
a warm welcoming environment
a place to put your coat, purse, hat, keys, and shoes.
a place to sit if necessary (maybe to put your shoes on
and a mirror to check your appearance.
Some entryways are big and grand while others can be small, and maybe even cramped. But no matter what kind of entryway you have, I’ve listed some elements that I think are crucial.
My entryway is a mix of vintage and modern, color and neutrals. I wanted the space to feel bright, but also cozy.
It’s a small-ish space that contains FOUR doors. It took me a long time to figure out how to highlight the doors without it looking too overwhelming. I accomplished this by painting my front door green. The color is Retreat by Sherwin Williams. I chose this color because it’s a coordinating color with the door opposite from the entry which leads to the downstairs family room. That door is painted Outerspace by Sherwin Williams and is a deep navy/charcoal. I also painted the hinges black because they were a dingy white (same as every exterior door in the house).
For the remaining two doors (one to the garage and the other a coat closet, I replaced the hinges and knobs with new black hardware, and painted them the same color as the wall, Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams.
For the floor, my biggest piece of advice is use a big rug. Bigger than you think you need to. I’m not saying a 9x12, but if you have a large entry, you could easily do a 5x7. Mine is on the small side and I use a 4x6. Either way, unless your entryway is really tiny, like the size of a closet, do not go smaller than 3x5. I also like something patterned so any dirt that gets tracked in doesn’t show as quickly between cleanings. The rug I’ve used is both dark and patterned And works perfectly.
As far as furniture, for me it’s imperative to have a place to sit. I realize that may not be an option for everyone considering space, but it’s so much easier to put on a pair of winter boots when you can sit down. My chair is just small enough to fit the space comfortably.
I also like some sort of cabinet or console. You can store vitals there like keys and mail. Also, it’s an opportunity to add some decor.
For the walls, mirrors are always a good idea to check your appearance before you leave, or some sort of art to make things a bit more interesting. The large photo in my entryway is of a doorway in Paris from the Studio McGee x Threshold (Target) line. The original frame that came with the picture was pretty cheap looking, so I took it to Michael’s for a custom frame that elevated the look.
I also added some hooks for our most commonly used items. Although we have a coat closet, I find that it’s pretty impractical when you have a little one. My son always just shoves his things in the closet because he’s not tall enough to reach the hangers. So hanging a hook for everyone removed that obstacle.
Finally, for lighting, you’ll remember in my last post that I mentioned how important it is to layer lighting. Although this space is small, it has three different light sources. There’s a chandelier, a flushmount, and a table lamp. Depending on the time of day, and the mood, all three lights are useful.
What struggles do you have with your entryway? Any tips that I missed? Comment below!
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