Entryway design ideas to make a great first impression
Great design balances style, functionality and feeling, and when it comes to the entrance to your space (whether it be at home or work), this combination is key for making a great first impression.
The entry sets the tone for what visitors can expect to experience in the rest of your interior space. It provides a glimpse of your aesthetic, can influence the mood when you walk through the front door and it’s largely responsible for making that oh so important first impression. If you want to wow your guests upon arrival, there’s a couple of entryway design ideas you can consider, from seating and storage to engaging the senses and putting yourself in your guest’s shoes. Let’s unpack some ways you can create a positive and memorable entry experience.
Incorporate seating
As a transitional space, seating might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking about setting up the entry to your home or workplace, but it can make a huge difference to the flow, function and feel when someone first walks in.
In a residential setting, seating such as a bench, occasional chair or even a small stool gives you somewhere to sit down and put your shoes on and off, sit a bag on or wait for everyone to gather at the front door if you’re getting ready to head out. It’s helpful if you have little ones or older guests visiting and can also nicely fill what may be an otherwise empty corner. The right seating creates an inviting and homely atmosphere.
For commercial spaces, the entry may double as a waiting room or reception area, so the addition of seating plays a large role in feeling welcomed. On a practical level, seating can also help prevent any bottlenecks of people as they come and go as you’re able to direct them to somewhere they can wait until you’re ready to meet them. Considering this flow of people entering and exiting the space is an important exercise in commercial settings.
Get organised with storage solutions
In our busy lives, entryways can quickly get busy with shoes, bags, coats, school projects and sporting equipment thrown in there. They can also become a dumping ground for other miscellaneous items that need to be put away, or for those assorted bits and pieces that don’t actually have a designated spot in the house. Is any of this sounding familiar to you?
Having suitable storage solutions for your entry space can help you feel organised, leading to less stress, reduced risk of clutter and more calm. It can set the tone for the day and put you in a better mood when you enter and exit the space.
Storage comes in many shapes and sizes. Here’s a couple of options to keep in mind:
A console table - look for one with shelves if you need some extra surface area for decorative items, or drawers if you want it to feel a little more tidy. Have little ones at home? You may like to dedicate one of these drawers for arts, crafts and other treasures they bring home so it’s all in the one place until you can get to it at a later time.
Shoe racks - If you want guests to put their shoes somewhere out of the way, be sure to leave some space for them to do this! In a commercial setting that requires shoes off upon entry (such as a fitness studio) you may choose to include some shelving or lockers near the front door. If you want to avoid this feeling cluttered or messy, opt for shoe storage that can keep them concealed behind closed doors.
Cupboard under the stairs - ideal for tucking away items you’d prefer not to see when you walk in.
Hooks - for coats, bags or keys to prevent them from getting lost or in the way.
Baskets - these can be neatly placed beneath a console or bench seat - both decorative and practical.
Multifunctional items, such as seating with built in storage - these are ideal for spaces with really limited storage.
Engage the senses
Multi-sensory entry experiences can be extra special. When you layer in extra sensory engagement to an interior you can make the space stand out. This may look like burning a scented candle or having a vase of fragrant flowers by the front door. Perhaps you have decorated the space using energetic colours and diverse textures, or maybe you can hear some music playing in another room? By layering in those additional elements you can intensify the mood or feeling you’re aiming to create.
What can you see, touch, smell and hear in your entryway?
Put yourself in your guests shoes
If you’re wanting to assess your entry and better understand how you can improve it for yourself and others, you need to imagine you’re entering the space for the very first time. Put yourself in the shoes of someone who hasn’t been there before. Here’s some questions you may like to ask yourself to help with this process:
What is the first thing you see when you walk through the door?
If you were entering for the first time, what would your assumptions be about the purpose of the space and the people who reside there?
How does the space feel? Is it warm, welcoming and inviting? Empty or cluttered? Deliberately styled or unintentionally forgotten?
Is the entry styled in a cohesive way? Do you get a feel for the style of the other rooms in the property?
Is the space well lit, with natural light pouring in or adequate lighting added so you can get through the entrance safely?
Are there any personal touches at the entrance, such as a family photo, piece of art or decorative trinket that tells your story?
Is there somewhere to put your personal belongings, whether that be your wallet, keys, jacket, bag, shoes, or anything else you’ve got with you?
If it’s a shoes off household, is there somewhere to comfortably sit and do this?
Is it clear where you should go next when you walk in? For commercial spaces, do you have signage to direct people?
Once you imagine yourself in someone else’s shoes, you can start to see things with a fresh perspective, and potentially uncover things you hadn’t previously considered.
I hope this has given you some ideas to review and optimise your own entryway so it’s ready to wow future guests, or simply make your day that little bit better when you walk through the door at night.
Do you need a helping hand to enhance the entrance to your space? My online interior decoration (e-design) service may be of interest to you.