First impressions really do matter, especially when it comes to your home. Your entryway is the first inclination of your style because it sets the tone for the rest of your home, so it’s a great spot to really make a statement and a grand entrance. No matter the size of your entryway, attention to detail can really help elevate it.

Seattle-based interior designer Rebecca West says your entryway should provide guests with a quick glimpse of the personalities of the people who live there. “If you are a fun, quirky family, then guests should have a sense of that just by standing in your foyer. If you are a simple, minimalist person, then your entry should show that in both its functional and decorative elements,” she says. “Every entry should work for and fit the family who uses it.”

Besides the aesthetic portion of your entryway it should also be functional as it is essentially your ‘landing zone.’ “It should be a place where it’s easy to put down your keys, take off your shoes, and hang up your coat, so that you can shed the work day and slide into just being at home.”

Making It Home
One of the first things to do to is to declutter your entryway. “Entryways get a lot of abuse and get shabby and crowded over time,” West says. “Clearing the clutter is the first step, but to quickly change the mood, first try a fresh coat of paint.”

Next, to add personality try using a combination of mirrors, consoles, pillows, and boxes (for accessories). A rug can also be a nice finishing touch, but just make sure its large enough to fill the space in order to make a design statement. ” A mirror can make a small entry feel more open, and hooks are a great opportunity to add some whimsy,” West says. “It’s all about scale and personality. Every item in your entry needs to add to the space.”

West also recommends adding proper lighting, and a large piece of art or a mirror. “Then you’ll have an entryway that helps you know you are home.”

Small Spaces, Big Statements
Be creative, and do not hesitate to use bold colours to make a statement. If you don’t have a lot of wall space, or it’s too connected to other walls in the room, put a bold colour on the interior of your front door,” West suggest. “There is no reason is has to be white, and a sassy red, splashy teal, or moody black can instantly define your entry and your personality.”

Go Big and Go Home
West says,”Even a skinny ledge can be a useful spot for catching your mail and keys, and fun wall hooks become even more useful in a tiny space,” she says. “In general, go as big as you can.”

h/t CORT

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