4 Designer Tips for Creating a Fashionable Entry
Often overlooked, the entry to a home can set the decorative vibe for the rest of the interiors. The area should be inviting and welcoming, but also should coordinate with the style throughout the home. And while there are many things you can do to make those things happen, here are my four go-to tips that I always return — or better yet, come home — to.
1. Bring Color to the Door
The exterior side of your front door will make the first impression on you and your guests, so it’s an opportunity to let your and your home’s personality radiate outward. And in my opinion, painting it a fetching color is the best way to do that.
But remember, the interior side of your door also will be on display indoors. So it’s a chance to integrate a bold color into the entry decor — and you can use the color as a jumping-off point for accessories and accents.
Alternatively, you can look to your entry decor for inspiration in choosing your front door color. A door is a large vertical plane, so the color you choose is going to be fully in view and likely be a significant amount. So choose wisely.
You might want to consider a lighter shade of a color found in your wallcovering, rug or artwork. Painting the trim and ceiling the same color can have a dramatic effect as well.
In my experience, the most popular front door color is a shade of blue. Depending on the shade, it can be bold or read as a neutral. Either way, blues complement other popular tones and finishes, such as almost any wood tone and brass.
Green, red, yellow and orange are other popular front door colors to consider.
Make sure you buy the correct paint for your door material. The most common door materials are fiberglass, steel and wood. If you’re unsure about what type of paint would be best in terms of longevity, coverage and durability, consider consulting a paint specialist in your area.
And don’t forget the door hardware. Because the front door is often unlike any of the other doors throughout the home, feel free to go in a different direction with the pull or knob style to really elevate the look of your entry.
2. Make the Decor Flow
Linking your entryway to the rest of your home is critical from a design standpoint. You don’t want the foyer to seem like afterthought.
Notice how the soft gray wallpaper encompasses the entry seen here, but it also flows up the stairs. This pulls the eye into the home and creates design cohesion. Having no abrupt changes makes for a fluid entry sequence that leaves a positive lasting impression.
You can still set off your entry while creating design cohesion. Here, beautiful wall paneling runs throughout the entry and into the home, as does the chevron-pattern wood flooring. But a glass panel wall divider, an exquisite mural and an inset tile “rug” define the entry.
The style of your entryway furniture also should be consistent with what’s found throughout your home. If your home has a traditional feel with whimsical art, for instance, be sure to incorporate that in the entry with the pieces you select.
3. Dress the Walls
Even if your entrance is on the small side, it likely has usable wall space. Like doors, walls are large vertical planes that present great opportunities to make a big design statement.
In the compact entry seen here, the floating wood-wrapped bench would have made a significant impression all on its own. But the wood slats have been taken up the wall from floor to ceiling, adding visual texture and accentuating the height of the area rather than its width, creating the appearance of more space.
Adding applied molding is a cost-effective way to add a stunning feature to your foyer. These decorative millwork pieces are relatively inexpensive and can be applied to walls to create interesting patterns. You can choose to contrast the millwork with your wall color, or paint the millwork the same color as the walls, as shown here.
If artwork is more up your alley, I recommend going with one large piece on a single wall rather than several smaller pieces. Take advantage of as much width and height as possible, leaving only a bit of breathing room around your artwork, and it’ll stop you and your guests in your tracks every time.
You also can create personality and depth, as well as functionality, with wall storage. Tall cabinets or wall-mounted units will fill that vertical plane and give you a chance to bring in a contrasting material or color.
Wall hooks provide functionality as well, and you can play around with what you hang on them to bring in color, texture and interest. For example, a vintage coat or bag would add lovely personality.
Also notice the wood-slat wall feature behind the slim console table on the left here, adding warmth and accentuating the height of the room.
4. Furnish It
With all the comings and goings happening in an entry, it’s a good idea to consider adding pieces that allow you to sit and put on shoes or drop a bag or keys. This will give you functionality as well as help you round out your decor to create a thoughtful and welcoming feel that defines the rest of your home.
Many entryways open into a narrow hallway or tight vestibule. If this is the case with yours, consider a console table, a bench and small stools that can be tucked away — they can be game-changing.
If you’ve got a more open and spacious entry, consider pressing a long, narrow, backless bench against the wall to add seating and style. A round table with art books, accessories and a vase with fresh flowers beneath a large light fixture makes a timeless design statement.
Even if you prefer your entryway to be minimalist, and don’t require storage or a place to sit, consider adding a few pieces that will finish off the space and tip off guests to the look and feel that are to come in the rest of your home.
A simple slim console table with a few accessories, a piece of art on the wall, a rug, some greenery and a low-profile light fixture will keep your entry feeling light and airy while creating an unforgettable vignette.