One often-overlooked area in your homes is the entrance - a space we pass through countless times daily.
Let's transform it from a dreary passageway to a bright and inviting welcome, even on dark and gloomy days.
First impressions matter (even to yourself). We want to make a great first impression on guests, but do we give the same attention to our own daily arrivals?
Your entrance sets the tone for your home. It's time to make it a space you love to come home to.
I want you to consider:
What first impression do you want to create for yourself?
Our home entrances are one of THE MOST challenging spaces to decorate as we need it do so much. There is a reason why they often end up cluttered.
Thus, the first trick is to minimise (or at least contain) the 'stuff’…
1. Declutter and Conquer
The first step to a brighter entrance is to declutter.
The Trick
Ensure that everything that is not necessary to be in this space is moved elsewhere.
The ideal is to find the right balance between the items you keep here for convenience and the things you use regularly – by regularly I mean daily.
If you are lucky enough to have space for furniture in your entrance, create more storage to store the items away and choose furniture that has LEGS to create an illusion of space. This simple trick can make a dramatic difference.
I created these two 3D visualisations to illustrate how different types of furniture can effects the feel of a space. Note the only difference is that the furniture in the second illustration have legs and gaps for that airy feel.
2. Create a dedicated space for the things that stay
Let's tackle those shoes, coats, and random items making the space look untidy.
Creating a practical solution to store those shoes and curtail those coats is the only way to keep them tidy.
The Trick
Create a dedicated space for them to ‘land' with as little effort as possible. Let me explain...
Having shoe storage inside a cupboard, keep the shoes out of sight, however requires an additional step of opening the door, to put them away. This extra effort is what scientists call 'friction'. You want a solution with the least amount of 'friction'.
A stylish basket or wall-mounted rack is easy to use, keeps shoes tidy and serves as a visual reminder of where they go.
Alternatively, wall-mounted shoe racks are great if you have wall space and are convenient too.
Bulky coats and jackets take up more space and if not stored away, can also block out the light.
Keep coats out of sight and out of the way. Utilise under-stair storage or invest in a coat rack and place it in an adjacent room.
Quick Aside...
You will notice that I don't have ads or pop-ups on my site. This is intentional as I find them rude and annoying. How dare they.
Instead, I've opted for offering useful links to my applicable services through out my blogs - only where it makes sense to.
I also have other design Services and Freebies and I've made the links available again at the end of this blog, so you can browse at your leisure when you've finished reading.
You're welcome!
3. Paint your way brighter
A fresh coat of paint can work wonders. Paint your walls a light colour, even white and even if it is North facing. It reflects light beautifully.
The Trick
Opt for a warm off-white with yellow or red undertones for a welcoming feel. Secondly, create a contrast to prevent it from looking bland.
Paint the bottom half of your walls in a gloss finish of the same colour or one shade darker/lighter.
This will create a feature, help to reflect light, add durability AND help with cleaning. Win-win-win.
Create a darker band on the bottom part of the wall, and use a bright colour on top.
Need some more colour?
Our entrance is North-East facing and I used Dulux Jasmine White in an Easy-care finish on the walls and contrasted the banister in Dulux Noble Grey.
If you need help selecting the perfect shade, I offer a Quick Colour Fix Online Service. You can book online now and select a date and time that suits you. Let me do the running around and provide you with options for paints and wallpapers to perfectly compliment your style and space.
4. Lighten up your floor
Your flooring is the second largest surface area and can therefore significantly impact the overall brightness of your entrance.
The Trick
We tend to go dark - for practical reasons - although dark floors tend to show water marks and dusty/muddy footprints.
A lighter floor will reflect more light and hide dirt better. Paired with a soft rug can add warmth and style while protecting your floor.
I added these cream rugs from Benuta – don’t worry! They are in and outdoor rugs and are washable.
5. Maximize Natural Light
Even with limited natural light, you can make the most of what you have.
The Trick
Place a large mirror to reflect existing light and create an illusion of space. The bigger the better.
A floor standing mirror is ideal.
If feasible, add a window or glass panel to your door for increased natural light.
Borrow Light from Other Rooms: Replace solid doors with glass-panelled ones to let light flow through.
Note: Changing a door is easy to do, however if you live in the UK, check if you have fire rated doors as they need to be replaced with like-for-like. Fire rated glass panel doors are available, but they can be pricey if on a budget.
6. Enhance artificial lighting
Artificial light is essential for darker days, as well as for limited natural light options.
The Trick
Introduce additional light sources with stylish table lamps and install motion-sensor lights at lower levels in walkways and by the stairs for added convenience and safety. Energy efficient battery powered lights require no additional wiring.
Allow more light to escape the existing light sources by using open-style lampshades. This trick instantly made our hallway much brighter when the lights were switched on.
7. Accessorise with style
The finishing touches can transform your entrance. They add wonderful visual effect, for little effort.
The Trick
Bring in Nature by adding plants, flowers, or greenery for a fresh and inviting atmosphere.
Illuminate with Art by choosing artwork with light colours or incorporate illuminated back-lit pieces
By following these tips, you can create an entrance that welcomes you home and impresses your guests. Remember, small changes can make a big difference.
My range of affordable design services are available now if you need help to create a home you can't wait to come home to. Book online today and I'll work with you to achieve your home décor goals!
And as promised, here is a reminder of the link to my Home Page with my Free Resources for you to browse and sign up to if something takes your fancy.
Note: The links provided throughout are NOT affiliated and based on my personal research and what I would use or recommend. Any products shown are not intended as a recommendation for a specific product, but rather as examples of what is available and to provide ideas and inspiration.