An entryway sets the tone for the entire home. It’s the first thing guests see when they arrive, so making a great first impression is key. While a full remodel may not be in the budget, even small tweaks can have a big visual impact in an entry. With strategic design choices, it’s possible to completely transform an entry without a major overhaul. Here are some of our favorite single design moves that can turn a drab entry into a welcoming focal point.

Add Interesting Lighting

Lighting is one of the easiest ways to dramatically change the look and feel of an entry. Consider adding a striking pendant light or chandelier as a focal point. Opt for something with an interesting or unexpected shape to make it a real statement piece. If you have a double-height ceiling, installing a two-story ceiling fixture can define the space beautifully. Sconces or accent lighting directed at artwork also help draw the eye and create an inviting ambiance. The addition of lighting that provides style as well as illumination can instantly give a boring entry a stylish upgrade.

Install a Bold Front Door

An eye-catching front door is a relatively simple switch that can drastically upgrade a home’s curb appeal. Swapping out a dated or underwhelming door for one that makes a statement signals to visitors that they’re entering somewhere special. A modern door in a bold, saturated hue or unique material like steel or wood immediately raises the design ante. For a more classic look, arched doors, painted doors with decorative glass inserts, or doors with architectural interest like extra molding details amp up the entrance elegantly. A new front door is one of the smartest investments for making that all-important first impression.

Add an Accent Wall

Painting one wall a striking color is an easy DIY move that immediately gives character and visual interest to an entry. Use a rich shade like navy, emerald, or marigold on the wall behind a console or side table to provide a dramatic backdrop. Hang a piece of statement art on the new accent wall to complete the look. If colored walls seem too bold, consider painting the wall an unexpected neutral shade or adding texture with grasscloth wallpaper. The contrast against the other walls turns that surface into a focal point. Accent walls draw the eye and give personality to what would otherwise be an all-white box.

Define Spaces with an Entryway Runner

ForEntrywaysDelineate a clear entry path and define the space by laying down a runner rug. Use a narrow runner if you have a tight entry, or place a larger area rug underfoot to connect the entryway to adjacent rooms. Natural fiber rugs like jute, sisal, and seagrass can take lots of wear and look better over time. A patterned or brightly colored rug adds visual interest underfoot. Placement at the front door catches eyes as soon as people walk in. The rug also helps absorb sound, adding a warm, welcoming hush to a tile or wood floor. Runners are inexpensive but transformative design elements.

Install Built-In Storage

Maximize unused nooks and corners in an entry by installing built-in storage solutions. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry or shelving transforms wasted space into functional display areas. Built-ins with either open shelving or enclosed cabinets provide ample room to tuck away clutter like shoes, outerwear, bags, and keys. Custom designs tailored exactly to the dimensions of the space make the most of every inch. Clever racks, hooks, and cubbies also streamline organization. Visually, built-ins add architectural interest and make the space feel polished. Storage solutions reduce everyday mess and give the entry an orderly, upscale feel.

Add Architectural Molding

Adding or upgrading classic architectural molding is an elegant design move that enhances any entry’s style significantly. Crown moldings along the ceiling add height, crystal wall sconces and chandeliers lend old-world opulence, and baseboards and door casing trim out the space neatly. Chair rail and picture rail moldings allow you to play with wall colors above and below the line. For contemporary spaces, thin ledges or floating shelves make attractive display areas. Moldings lend a sense of completeness and the feeling of a professionally designed space. Even small molding updates like door casing make a noticeable difference.

Install Wallpaper

ForEntrywaysWallpaperAn eye-catching wallpaper pattern or texture instantly livens up lackluster entryway walls. From bold graphic prints to nature-inspired motifs to metallic grasscloths, wallpaper options suit any style. Accent walls, select niches, or even entire entryways enveloped in striking wallpaper make a memorable statement. If walls seem too overwhelming, wallpaper inside open coat closets or on the ceilings of hallways with lower foot traffic works beautifully. There are also easily removable peel-and-stick wallpaper options that allow you to switch up your look. Creative wallpaper applications turn boring entries into the most stylish room of the house.

Replace Balusters with a Decorative Railing

Overhaul the look of a staircase or balcony by swapping in a decorative railing system. Sleek cables, industrial pipe, glass panels, and metal mesh rails are all popular modern options that replace traditional spindles for a more contemporary look. Match a metal finish to other hardware and lighting for a cohesive aesthetic. For a more eclectic vibe, mix materials like wood railings with metal cable accents. If your stairs lack personality, a new railing is one of the most effective upgrades. A stylish new handrail also improves safety and makes the space feel fresh.

Add Wainscoting for Architectural Interest

Installing recessed wainscoting or paneled walls brings dimension and texture to any boxy entry. Tongue and groove planks, faded antique woods, distressed shiplap, and painted subway tiles all make excellent wainscoting materials. The paneled effect grounds the lower portion of the space and draws eyes up to the taller ceilings. To safeguard high-traffic walls from scuffs, apply wainscoting as a practical upgrade too. Chair rail moldings allow you to get creative with your wall colors by separating unique tones above and below the line. Wainscoting gives off a stately, polished look with minimal effort.

Extend Flooring from Entry to Adjacent Rooms

ForOpenFloorPlansUsing the same flooring material from your entryway through to connecting rooms helps spaces flow together seamlessly. Hardwood flowing from an entry throughout the first floor, or matching tile extending from an entry to a connected bathroom pulls disparate areas together visually. Continuous flooring lines make small or chopped-up spaces appear larger and more fluid. It allows you to remove visual barriers between rooms without actual renovations. Cohesive flooring also optics; it is always best to match adjacent rooms when possible. Continuous floor materials trick the eye and lend spaciousness.

Add Architectural Columns or Millwork

Columns, pillars, and other architectural millwork instantly up the elegance factor in any entry. Floor-to-ceiling fluted columns make a striking statement and amplify height in soaring entryways. Round columns tend to feel more stately, while square pillars have a more modern vibe. Top columns off with molding trim caps or treatments like corbels for added aesthetic appeal. For smaller spaces, half or three-quarter columns create architectural interest without dominating. Wall paneling, shiplap planks, or framed-out niches and alcoves also bring inDEPTH and visual intrigue. Columns and custom millwork lend polish along with a subtle grandness.

Update Ceiling Finishes

Don’t overlook the ceiling when looking for ways to refresh an entry’s design. Swapping dated popcorn or cottage cheese ceilings for smooth, neutral finishes expands the space visually. For homes with character, tongue and groove wood planks, exposed beams, or textured tin tiles accentuate architectural charm beautifully. Painting ceilings a striking color in a matte finish or hanging decorative wallpaper up high instantly draws eyes up. Coffers, clouds, or geometric shapes also add texture. Changing what is over visitor’s heads at the entry provides interest and makes a memorable first impression.

Hang Mirrors to Reflect Light

Hanging mirrors strategically throughout an entry hall immediately makes the space feel brighter and more airy. Position mirrors across from any windows or light sources so incoming rays can bounce off and fill darker corners. Hall trees or console tables with built-in mirrors also do double duty decorating and reflecting. Mirrored walls make narrow, tight foyers feel more spacious as well. Look for interesting antique mirrors or modern geometric shapes to contribute both light and art. Mirror placement can expand any entry, no matter the size or amount of natural light it receives.

Add or Upgrade Hardware

Sometimes the finishing touches make all the difference in pulling a space together. Swapping outdated cabinet hardware for knobs and pulls that coordinate with other metals and lighting fixtures elevates the entry’s style immediately. Matching door hinges, handrails, and hooks for coats or towels to cabinet hardware creates cohesion. For contemporary spaces, incorporate sleek levers, industrial pipe handles, or smart home technology like digital locks or fingerprint door openers. Make sure lighting switches and outlets match the aesthetic with updated cover plates. It’s easy to overlook hardware, but the right details give a pulled-together look.

Incorporate Greenery for Freshness

No entryway is complete without a dose of life and freshness from indoor plants or floral arrangements. Potted trees and hanging ferns filter the air while contributing natural beauty. Set plants on console tables or built-in shelving to frame the space. Place a vase of seasonal blooms on the floor during warmer months or nestle petite poinsettias on side tables for holiday inspiration. Add pots along the stairs to soften and highlight stair rails. Greenery accents improve air quality and represent growth and renewal—ideal for the first spot people enter your abode. A touch of nature livens things up instantly.

FAQs About Improving Entryways:

What are the best paint colors for an entryway?

Greys, deep blues, sage greens, and warm neutrals like tans work well in entryways. Avoid super dark colors, as they can make the space feel confining. Light colors expand smaller spaces but can show dirt in high-traffic areas. Eggshell or satin sheens hide scuffs best on entry walls.

What flooring should I choose for my entryway?
Durable ceramic or porcelain tile, natural stone, resilient vinyl plank, and hardwoods stand up well to heavy foot traffic. Scrape your shoes on a natural fiber doormat to collect dirt and moisture before it damages floors inside.

How can I decorate a small entryway?
Focus on maximizing vertical storage space. Add hooks for coats and bags, install shelving or cabinets up to the ceiling, and incorporate tall, narrow furnishings like hall trees. Hang a mirror to expand the look of the space. Avoid clutter and oversized furniture.

What are good entryway colors?
Classic black and white makes a timeless combination. Navy blue or charcoal gray also give an entry sophistication. More adventurous or vintage-style homes can get away with bold, saturated jewel tones as an eye-catching move.

Should you remove shoes in an entryway?
Having a designated spot for removing shoes keeps dirt contained in one area rather than tracking it inside. Provide seating and easily accessible storage (like cubbies) to make the habit easy to maintain. Place a small rug or tray outside the entry door for muddy shoes.

What is the best lighting for an entryway?
Aim for layered lighting. Overhead fixtures like pendant lights or chandeliers make a great focal point. Sconces flanking a mirror or art provide both task lighting and ambiance. Undercabinet lighting illuminates storage. Exterior lighting makes keying in the door easy after dark.

Conclusion

The entry sets expectations for the rest of the home, so making it as welcoming and stylish as possible deserves attention. Small upgrades like a new rug, lighting, or coat of paint often make the biggest impact. Focus on fixes that reduce clutter or distracting eyesores and draw focus to interior design elements you want to highlight. A thoughtfully refreshed entry announces to visitors they are entering a space that has been intentionally cared for and thoughtfully designed throughout. With strategic tweaks and embellishments, it is possible to completely transform an entry without undertaking a full remodel. Use these ideas as inspiration when looking to turn a lackluster entry into an impressive, stylish focal point.