Interior Design Tips: 7 Best Entryway Ideas

Katherine Tran
DecorMatters
Published in
5 min readJan 24, 2020

Whether the entryway is a part of a grand house or a tiny nook by the door, stepping into your home should be an experience. It is the first thing people see when they enter your home and what welcomes you home every day. So, if you are not excited and inspired when you walk through your door, then it is time to open one to a newly decorated space with our best entryway ideas!

📷 Mackenzie Craven
📷 Meegan Buschor
📷 Ashley

Unique wall decor

You only have a few seconds to capture someone’s attention and create a positive experience when they first walk through your door. Unique wall decor that is immediately interesting and appealing to the eye will definitely set your entryway apart from others. Consider the simple installation of decorative wallpaper, house painting ideas such as fun patterns, and a DIY wall design that will get everyone talking! The best part of decorating an entryway with unique wall decor is that it is typically only one wall or a smaller section at the front of your home, which gives you the opportunity to break all the rules and go all out. You can be as creative as you want without committing to decorating an entire four-walled room in your home as bold or busy as your entryway decor.

📷 Cara & Tom Fox
📷 Shirley Meisels

Patterned flooring

Unique wall decor is not the only option to make a decorative impact in your entryway design. If your flooring is looking a little lackluster, trade traditional hardwood floor or tiles for unpredictable patterned flooring. Whether you want your floor to pop against your simple walls or work well with your wall decor, patterned flooring sets up a fun experience for anyone walking through the door as it leads them into your home. If you are working with a budget and want to cover up your old flooring without replacing them, there are many self-adhesive vinyl tile styles that offer a more affordable option for your makeover. This is a great entryway idea for small spaces or small apartments because it is temporary and can bring a lot of design without bringing in a bunch of decorative pieces you lack the space for.

📷 Mollie
📷 Kathy Kuo

Cool lighting fixtures

Lighting is everything, especially when you have a longer entryway leading into the first room of your home. Cool lighting fixtures are essential entryway decor because they are the first thing to light up the front of your home and affect the mood it delivers.

📷 Designed by Cortney Bishop, Photographed by Katie Charlotte
📷 Chelci

Runner rugs

Area rugs bring a space together but are best for larger spaces like rooms. Nothing draws people in like a runner does in your entryway. Runner rugs are long and narrow and are typically used in hallways, stairs, and narrow spaces compared to area rugs. It is the best entryway idea for those who want to easily fill a long or small empty entryway and a bonus is that they visually lengthen the walls and make your entryway look bigger!

📷 Jenna Ratliff Designs
📷 Chelci
📷 Jenny

Bench seating

You cannot help but feel comforted and welcomed when there is seating in a space, especially when it is paired with some decorative pillows and throw blankets. Entryway ideas with benches are popular because they are inviting, but they are also functional. It gives you a spot to put on or take off your shoes or take a quick break while waiting for that last person to finish getting ready before you leave the house. Benches can also provide entryway storage either through a storage bench or decorative baskets under them.

📷 Bri Moysa
📷 Amanda
📷 Jamie
📷 Kate Lester Interiors

Storage design

A common factor you will find in the best entryway ideas are useful furniture pieces and storage, such as console tables, hooks, cabinets, and other furniture with storage. Entryway storage design is key because you pass by this section of your home every day when you go in and out. This is the perfect opportunity to design a stylish space with storage for you to leave your daily essentials so you can quickly grab and go in the mornings. Additionally, a little extra storage in a home never hurt anyone.

📷 modernfarmhouseglam
📷 Andrea
📷 ahousewebuilt
📷 Shelter Custom-Built Living

Statement mirrors

As mentioned before, this is the area of your home you constantly pass through and having a statement mirror in your entryway decor adds to that experience that you should feel walking through your door. It also helps to have a mirror there for one last outfit check before you leave! Mirrors trick the eye and make narrow spaces appear larger and brighter. Unique statement mirror designs will definitely get your guests enjoying your entryway and taking that second glance!

We hope that these tips have inspired you to rethink your experience when you first enter your home. Whether you are looking for entryway decor, entryway furniture, or entryway storage, the free DecorMatters app has it all for you to shop and easily design an entryway you are excited about all in one place!

--

--

Katherine Tran
DecorMatters

Writer about all things interior design and home.