BEST TIPS FOR DESIGNING A WELCOMING ENTRYWAY
A well-dressed entryway
Like a friendly smile and a firm handshake, the entryway makes a confident and inviting introduction to the home. Your entryway is the first thing you and your guests see when you walk in the door and you want it to set the right tone and welcome everyone. Whether it’s spacious and grand, or small and efficient; if your goal is a beautiful and dramatic space, you can still offer plenty of function. You can do this with tables, seating, lighting, closets, and storage in your entryway if space allows.
To help you create the perfect entry in your own home, here are some of our best tips for designing a welcoming space:
The hall table
Impress your guests with a well-dressed entry, grounded by a beautiful and functional round hall table. You can really make a statement with a round table in the center of the space, or a console table against a wall. A hall table provides a lot of function, too. It can hold a bowl for keys, a lovely basket for your mail, and can welcome guests with fresh flowers or an inviting lamp. If you have space, a hall table can even provide extra seating and a place for drinks and snacks when you’re entertaining. If you don’t have a big open entry that allows you to float a center table, you can still use a round hall table in a nook near the stairs, or a rectangular console table against a wall.
A chest of drawers
If you have space, a chest of drawers can be a dream for storing things in the entryway, helping to keep everything neat while fitting the scale of the space. Drawers are brilliant for storing winter gear like gloves, hats, and scarves. If you ask guests to remove their shoes when they come in, keep some extra socks in the bottom drawer for people who need them.
A place to sit
You can never have too much seating, and even though it might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about your entryway’s functionality, you won’t believe how useful a bench or chair can be. And it makes a great landing spot for a purse or other bag that one might need to unload.
An eye-catching rug
Creating an inviting entry can be as simple as a beautiful rug. People usually err on the side of getting something super durable and functional for these spaces, but as the introduction to your home, it’s worth finding something lovely and representative of your style. Because these spaces are usually more compact, you can get by with a smaller rug or runner, so it isn’t as big as an investment. There’s no better way to add color, pattern and natural texture to your space than with a gorgeous, eye-catching rug.
Wonderful wallpaper
Make a big statement in your entryway with graphic wallpaper and great art. It’s the perfect place to showcase color and pattern, to make a bold statement. For two-story entries, consider an overscaled wallpaper. It gives a grand appearance but brings the scale down to a more normal height. Add in an amazing light fixture and a stair runner in a bold geometric, floral, or animal print, and you’ll have an entry that is full of style!
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Please make my entry the grandest of them all! We can’t get enough of mirrors when it comes to design, especially in smaller spaces. Mirrors are great decorating tools because they create the illusion of space and light, both of which are much needed in the entryway. They are also essential for that final glance at your appearance before you leave the house.
Make a grand entrance
If you have an awkward or tiny space for your entry, consider where you could expand the area. Don’t be afraid to look at your space with a fresh set of eyes to see all the possibilities for a change! Are you in need of a renovation to gain the extra square footage you need? Contact The Quiet Moose expert interior design team to bring any room in your home to life.
Happy Decorating!