How to Dress up a Boring Entryway

No matter what the theme of your home is, no matter what interior design style it has, it is always important to decorate your entryway as best as you can. After the facade of your house’s exterior, your entryway is the first glimpse guests will see in your house. Ensure that it represents the rest of your home well. Achieve a polished and well-thought-out look with five simple steps. One is to choose a color that is inviting and matches the tone of the rest of your house. Two is to install adequate and appropriate lighting fixtures. Three is to add furniture that is both functional and decorative. Four is to display artwork, photographs, and decorative mirrors that show the personality of the people who live in your home. Lastly, five is to tie everything together with an area rug suited to your home’s interior design.

While some decorators prefer to have a singular color palette throughout their entire home, others choose to have different palettes per area. Both are equally fine, and none is better than the other. However, when it comes to choosing colors for your entryway, you should keep the meanings behind colors in mind and how different colors can have varied psychological effects on your mood. Warm colors like red, yellow, orange, and brown tend to make people feel more welcome and energetic. Cool colors like blue, purple, and grey can make people feel calmer and more peaceful. 

Take note of the psychology of colors and decide what you want people to feel upon entering your home. You do not need to paint your walls with these colors to evoke those feelings, especially if you prefer a more minimalist approach. Instead, you can choose neutral colors with either cool or warm undertones. You can add pops of bright colors here and there through your accessories and furniture.  

The type of lighting your entryway needs would depend on how big it is and how tall the ceilings are. Chandeliers are a gorgeous option. It doesn’t have to be big and fancy, but it should make a statement about your home. This lighting fixture sets the tone for the other lighting in your home. Your entryway must be well-lit, so take that into account aside from the aesthetics of the chandelier. You can also have additional lighting like a lamp placed on the foyer table. Make sure all the lights in the entryway complement one another and don’t clash with each other.  

The furniture you need for your entryway is very simple and very limited. Most people only put a foyer table. It’s best if this table has some storage built into them so it is functional as well. Fill the drawers with things you might need before heading out like a comb or things you need to locate right away in case of an emergency, like a flashlight. You can decorate the table with framed photos, small sculptures, and a lamp. Sometimes, instead of a table, people opt for a bench. This is a great place to put on your shoes before heading out, or to seat visitors who will only be there for a few moments. You can also opt for a bench or long ottoman with storage in it, just so it serves multiple purposes. Although it’s not technically furniture, the entryway is also a great area to place plants. They can go on the table or you can place your bigger floor plants here. Plants always make a space feel more inviting and you want to achieve that in your entryway.  

Your entryway is the first thing that people will see upon entering your house. First impressions last, so make it count. Look at this space as an opportunity to show off your personality. One way of doing this is by hanging artwork that you find compelling. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be by a famous painter or photographer. The only thing you should ask yourself is if you like the artwork. Consider its colors, the subject matter, shapes, and symbols. Does it fit your aesthetic? Does it suit the interior design style of your choice? Take your time looking for the right piece to put on display.  

Another personal piece of decor you can add to your walls or foyer table is photographs of yourself, your family, and even your pets. Choose a selection of portraits, group photos, candid shots, etc. This helps your guests to know the people who live in your house. It’s a look into your relationships and the life you live. It’s also a great self-reminder of those things. Your house will feel more like a home every time you open your front door because the first thing you see will be precious images of the people you love.  

Lastly, simple but gorgeous decorative pieces that are great for entryways are mirrors. The frame and shape of your mirror should depend on the type of interior design the rest of your home has. For example, if you have a more modern and minimalist home, lean towards mirrors that have clean lines and geometric shapes. You should also opt for more neutral colors, preferably black to emphasize the lines. However, if you have a more traditional, eclectic, or bohemian-style home, you would want something more ornate. If you’re going for a regal type of traditional, you would probably want painted wood or warm metal material. If your home is more bohemian, lightweight materials like bamboo and other natural materials will be more your speed. Mirrors not only serve aesthetic purposes, but also have practical uses. They can make a space appear larger, which is great because entryways are often small and narrow. Also, before leaving the house, you can get one last check to fix yourself up in the mirror.  

There is something just so comforting about rugs. They make the coldest spaces feel more inviting, and isn’t that the main goal when decorating entryways? You want your guests to feel welcome in your home. In fact, wouldn’t you also want to feel welcome in your own home? Opt for a rug that suits your home’s style. There are so many options to choose from. There are traditional, bohemian, modern, and so much more. 

 Colors like reds, yellows, oranges, and brown can make a space feel warmer. Keep that in mind when making your selection. Also, make sure that the rug you are purchasing is resistant to stains because people might accidentally track dirt into your home. You can also purchase washable rugs so that you don’t have to worry so much about their upkeep. Since your entryway is a high foot traffic area, there will be a tendency for people to drag your area rug out of place. It is advisable to have a rug pad under your area rug to keep it in place and to avoid people from slipping on it.