5 Tips to Create an Inviting Entryway
What does your front entrance way say about your home? Is it entrance table stacked full of mail, books from school? It the floor full of shoes scattered all over and everyone is tripping over the kids’ backpacks?
Entryways are the first impression that your home makes when visitors step into your home. They set the tone of what your visitor’s anticipate what they think the rest of your house will look like. So you want to make that a stunning one!
Entryways typically have a table for people to put drop their “stuff” the minute they walk in the door, or a bench or chair to sit down to take their shoes on or off. A mirror is also a common element so you can take a last look at yourself before you head out the door. Tables quite often have lamps for not only function but style as well.
1. Focal Point
Entryways that are the most memorable, are the ones that have a focal point. A focal point is something that grabs your attention immediately. For entryways, that focal point could be a light, a stunning picture, an accent wall, and/or an interesting rug or floor tiles.
Your entryway needs a focal point to grab your visitor’s eye immediately. But be careful not to have too many focal points to be distracting.
The accent wall and light stand out against the neutral walls & flooring.
This entryway has a stunning light and dramatic picture that the eye is immediately drawn too.
Mediterranean Entry by The Woodlands Architects & Building Designers JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction Photo: Houzz
The dramatic black & white furniture and décor against the neutral gray walls, make this entryway eye-catching.
2. Accent Wall
Accent walls automatically draw the eye to the focused area.
This accent wall is absolutely stunning. It makes a bold statement about the house.
The gold grasscloth wallpaper wrapped around wood with the gold light, makes this entryway a stunning entrance.
Trendy wallpaper or patterned or stencilled walls can make a plain entrance very interesting.
3. Lighting
Lighting can have a dramatic impact on your entryway. Lighting needs to size appropriate for the space and also needs to be in the same décor style as the rest of your area.
4. Floors
White walls are trending right now. It gives the entrance way and clean and spacious feeling. But you need to draw the eye somewhere and one way to do this is through floors. Decorative rugs can make a statement and
5. Balance
Pulling all the elements together in a balanced way achieves a calming inviting look into your home.
Below, the forever talented Sarah Richardson pulls of an elegant timeless inviting entryway on Season 4, Sarah’s House.
The entryway table (below) is decorated in a “symmetrical” style with lamps either side of the mirror. The dark mirror and table complement one another while the lighter lamps and baskets balance the look. Lots of different textures and shapes make this neutral colored palette very interesting.
Below, the furniture and décor achieve the balanced look. The aqua table is a fun pop of color amongst all the neutrals. Because of it’s color, the hallway table becomes the focal point.
A traditional look with a country flair. Serene and inviting.
What idea inspires you? What are you going to change in your entranceway now?
Debi Collinson is a Designer. She renovates “fixer uppers” to flip or to rent. She staged houses for 10 years. She has seen houses at their best and their worst. Debi passes on her knowledge to help people Add Value to their Home while making their home a stunning retreat at the same time.
