First impressions count! 8 guaranteed ways to make your entryway feel more welcoming and wonderful

If you're wondering how to make your entryway more welcoming then let these expert tricks guide your way. The right color and a few decorative touches can go a long way

A warm and welcoming entryway
(Image credit: Stephen Kent Johnson. David Scott Interiors)

Your entryway actually plays a pretty vital part in your home. It's the first space where you greet guests, and it's your first chance to introduce your personality and individual style. All too often disregarded as mere transition zones, it's a room in its own right. 

The best entryways will feel warm and inviting, with key items of furniture that play their part, bridging functionality with the aesthetic. ‘A well-designed entrance sets the stage for the overall character of a home, offering a captivating sense of arrival,’ says Amy Hart of The Little Brick Studio. I've spoken to the designers to find out their favorite ways to introduce some life and character to their entryways.

1. Establish a mood

An entryway with a black console table that has two grey vases on it

(Image credit: Veronica Rodriguez. Design: Interior Fox)

First things first, think about what you want from the space and how you want people to interpret your home on first arrival. Decide what style of interior to go for, as both maximalist interiors and more minimalist styles can create bold impressions. 

'One approach is to embrace a maximalist style, utilizing vibrant colors on the walls and complementing artwork to infuse the space with a dramatic atmosphere - a bold statement for your arriving visitors,' says Amy Hart of Melbourne-based The Little Brick Studio.

'Alternatively, a more minimalist approach can be taken, featuring open and light-filled areas - white tones, light oak floors, and understated artworks, resulting in a calm entry area to welcome your guests.' A little entryway table decor can go a long way.

2. Consider color

A green entryway

(Image credit: Frederick Tang Architecture)

First impressions count and the biggest impression you can have on your entryway is color. 'Off-white neutrals work with most color palettes and will make a space feel bigger,' says Lucia Galeano of New York based, women-led architecture design firm, Studio Galean, 'This is perfect for entranceways without a lot of light.'

'If you want to introduce some warmth - opt for colors that have an underlying red or yellow base,' advises color expert at Farrow & Ball, Patrick O'Donnell. There is no right or wrong answer either. 'You can also go with the flow and consider darker colors. Halls are transitional spaces so making a bold statement can be great fun - dark blue, greens or near blacks will add drama and create a great backdrop for pictures.'

Choosing between the best colors for entryways is a practical choice as much as it is an aesthetic one. 'Entranceways can be high-traffic areas with busy families. Use a wall color with enough of an undertone to hide the occasional dent or bash,' says Lucia.

You might also want to think about how the color relates to the rest of the home and establishes a theme. 'Consistency in the use of color is crucial as visitors navigate through the various spaces,' says Amy. 'This ensures that the entryway serves as a preview, hinting at the forthcoming areas within the house.'

Whirlybird by Farrow & Ball
Editor's pick

Whirlybird by Farrow & Ball

One of the newer colors to launch from Farrow & Ball, and one that I still absolutely love is Whirlybird. It's the perfect neutral with that hint of green. Bring warmth into your entryway with this on the walls and your guests won't want to leave. 

3. Create an entryway moment

A mirror in an entryway

(Image credit: Marco Ricca. Design: Ali Budd Interiors)

Entryways can be quite long and narrow, so you might not think about them as spaces ripe for loitering or hanging around, but actually, it's the place where you check yourself in the reflection before leaving, and it's a space to establish a routine. 

Help yourself out with a well-placed mirror just by the doorway, a console table, or if you don't have the width for a table, even just a radiator cover will do. Long and narrow, these are great for small spaces like apartment entryways that you can decorate with a glass bowl for keys and those bits and bobs you always forget before leaving the house. A spare surface is always a great place to introduce some decor, so bring in some candles and a plant to freshen up the space - both you and your guests will be glad for it.

'Give the entrance life by adding a console table with art, plants, books and pictures,' encourages Lucia. 'Introducing a large mirror in a small entranceway is a great way to gain some nice light reflection and make the space look bigger.'

Kirun oak console
Editor's pick

Kirun oak console

If you're lacking space, this is a clever way to give you space for a decorative moment. Keep it flush against the wall and decorate it with a couple of your favorite things. I like the oak wooden material, which works with any style of home, bringing a bit of nature to the space.

4. Remember the personal

Gallery wall in living room

(Image credit: James Merrell)

A house should feel like a home, so whether you've gone for a minimalist or maximalist look, making it feel homely and personal can go a long way. Introduce who lives in the home with framed photos in an array of different frames and mixed in with art prints to add interest, or keep things uniform for a more minimalist look. 

A gallery wall that works its way up the stairs can be a nice way to lead people through the home. 'The staircase is usually the first thing people see when they walk into your home and a great way to inject your personality,' explains Natascha Dartnall, founder of ND Studios. 

5. Make the most of the architecture of the space

An entryway with distinct crown molding and dado rails

(Image credit: Nick Glimenakis. Design: The Brownstone Boys)

Your entryway might have some significant architectural details that you can embrace to add interest and texture. Look out for crown molding, dado rails and skirting boards that you can play around with.  'If the entrance is small, consider painting skirtings, architraves and coving a couple of shades lighter than the walls. This will expand the look of the space,' says Lucia.

The most common look is a clean, white dado rail with the same color above and below. You might want to go for a subtle shade difference, using different hues above and below the rail. This can stress the horizontal layering of the room and draw attention to the shape and size of the room, helping to create the illusion of more space. ‘Go darker under the dado rail with fresh white woodwork and light colors above the wall to hide any scuffs and marks,’ advises Martin Waller, founder of luxury furniture brand Andrew Martin. 

6. Think about flooring

An entryway with parquet wooden flooring

(Image credit: Hanna Grankvist. Design: Studio Nato)

Another important element of your entryway is the floor. Carpeted, wooden floorboards, a long runner-style rug or even tiled hallway floors are commonplace, just remember that this is a space where carpets might be prone to scuffs with people coming in and out. Keep a place by the door where people can remove shoes. 

Think the aesthetics too - it's another surface to introduce color, so make sure it works with the wider scheme. 'Just don't have too many stars in the show,' advises Lucia. 'If you want to make your flooring a feature using pattern or color, keep everything else simple. Timber or large format tiles in warm tones make an entrance feel inviting.'

'I always love to put some kind of small rug at the entrance to a home. I think it's a nice transition from outdoor to indoor,' says Jessie McLaughlin of Jessie Lane Interiors.

7. Create a sensory experience

A pearly pink candle jar

(Image credit: Anthropologie)

Scent is such nostalgic sense that can evoke a range of emotions. Using this to your advantage and embracing the power of scent can really help a space feel more welcoming and comfortable to guests. 

'All five senses are critical to making a home feel welcoming,' says Jessie. 'The scent of a home is an element that is often overlooked. I have a favorite candle on a chest in my entryway that I love to light before people come over.'

Other - less hazardous - room fragrances that can bring a decorative feel might be a diffuser, but there is something comforting about the flickering glow of a candle.

Bianco Bergamot & Mandarin Zest candle
Editor's pick

Bianco Bergamot & Mandarin Zest candle

The Soho Home members' clubs are known for the powerful aroma that hits you as you walk in through the door. Recreate that beautiful smell with this candle that brings the scent of its Little Beach House Barcelona into your space, with citrusy bergamot and mandarin notes. It comes in a beautiful alabaster holder. 

8. Remember storage

An entryway with a handy storage unit in hardwood

(Image credit: Haris Kenjar. Design: Studio AM Architects.)

An entryway is a functional space that is used as people move through it. This also means they are prone to clutter and mess, so be sure to stay on top of this and embrace smart hallway storage to make sure keeping the zone clutter-free doesn't feel like a chore. 'One last thing I'd love to mention is making sure the entrance is free of clutter,' says Jessie. 'This creates a calm and welcoming energy when you walk into the space.' Think benches that double up as storage units, tasteful shoe racks, in-build, custom-made furniture and coathooks and stands.

Rooney entryway storage mirror
Editor's pick

Rooney entryway storage mirror

I like the look of this clever storage mirror - doubling up as a place to store keys, shoes and all those things you want easy access to as you leave the house - perfect for small spaces!

Oonagh Turner
Livingetc content editor and design expert

Oonagh is a content editor at Livingetc.com and an expert at spotting the interior trends that are making waves in the design world. Writing a mix of everything and everything from home tours to news, long-form features to design idea pieces on the website, as well as frequently featured in the monthly print magazine, she's the go-to for design advice in the home. Previously, she worked on a London property title, producing long-read interiors features, style pages and conducting interviews with a range of famous faces from the UK interiors scene, from Kit Kemp to Robert Kime. In doing so, she has developed a keen interest in London's historical architecture and the city's distinct tastemakers paving the way in the world of interiors.