6 Entryway Styling Tips That Will Transform Your Space

We all know first impressions count, so prevent your home’s entryway from becoming a dumping zone with these six practical yet stylish decorating tips.

1. Keep it minimal.

The first thing to know before styling your entrance is less is more. You’ll want to pick only two to three key items to display in this area so guests can enter with ease while admiring your few selections. If you have a sideboard in your entrance, top it your favorite shallow ceramic dish to hold keys and wallets (and hopefully you’ll never lose them again).

2. Look up.

Lighting is very important in the entrance. Would you want to walk into a pitch black house? That’s how horror movies start! Make sure your lighting choice is bright enough, especially if your entrance is lacking in windows and natural light. A hanging pendant light can provide a stylish element, or go the with an attention-grabbing chandelier. You could also consider lining the hall with smaller sconces and wall-mounted lights to create a more intimate atmosphere.

3. Look down.

A stylish rug will add personality and color to an entrance without taking up too much space. Play around with different weaves, patterns, and colors to add an extra dimension to the entryway.

4. Stylish Storage

Think about what you do when you walk in the door. Do you take off your coat? Put your keys down? Hooks are a great storage solution that can also double as decorative items. Use them to hold scarves, hats, and bags on a daily basis. You can even strategically hang your prettiest items when visitors are expected.

5. Hang some art.

You can absolutely hang art in the entryway. However, if you want your guests to marvel at it, you’ll need to be strategic. Don’t place any artwork too close to the door and off to the side — they’ll walk right by it. Instead, hang it a little further down the hall, or even at the opposing wall (no matter how far away it is) to draw your guests into your home.

If you’re undecided on art, try a mirror instead — especially if your entryway is on the smaller side. Mirrors will help give the illusion that there is more space than there actually is, while also helping bounce the light around from both natural and artificial light sources.

6. Create a shoe station.

If you’re a parent, you’ll know how hard it is to encourage your kids to put their shoes on to go outside, and then take them off again to come inside. Placing a small bench at your entrance can help with the teaching process, giving them somewhere to sit and tie their laces (adults too, of course!) and you can hide away everyone’s most-used shoes with storage boxes underneath. This practical item can also make a stylish statement — go bold to inject some color or try your luck treasure hunting to find a vintage timber gem.