The importance of entryways in a home goes without saying, but they’re almost overlooked in the grand scheme of things. Acting as the first part of the interior that anyone sees, these locations serve as opening statements that set the tone for the rest of the home. Creating this mood doesn’t require an extensive overhaul, however, and it’s easy to make an entryway more inviting while upgrading it beyond just a welcome mat and a gaudy motivational wall ornament.
Mirror Match: Reflect Elegance in Your Entryway
In larger houses or apartments, the entryway is also right by the staircase leading upstairs or downstairs. This creates a sense of “options” on where to go in the home, and the best way to accentuate this is with a statement mirror. Placed on the side of the staircase, this will instantly make an area seem bigger by reflecting light and creating a sense of balance. The key is to use a mirror that’s not too large and that could work well with any décor or aesthetic. One example is the Eva Textured Metal Rectangular Mirror, with the combination of curves, angles and the ridged silver adding a touch of the artisanal that works for any entryway.
Speak Softly and Carry a Big Home
Regardless of how vividly vibrant the rest of the home may be, an entryway should have a calm, cool aesthetic that invites guests in through a whisper of an interior. Repainting the walls or adding pieces that create this serene ambiance, with light colors making for a tranquil environment. Pale, powdery blues feel fresh and delightful, with this color palette contrasting organically with more rustic pieces. It also helps to keep a space from feeling overwhelming, and different shades of these colors can help highlight various parts of an entryway while opening the home as a whole.
Light at the Beginning of the Tunnel
On a dark or stormy day, there’s nothing more comforting than walking into a warm, cozy home. The fastest way to make rain clouds fly away is by shining a new light through the entryway. Entryway lighting not only illuminates the front of the home, but it can also add a touch of class. The right lighting fixtures will actually craft the light in an area and draw eyes upward, and it’s much more than simply changing a lightbulb. Chandeliers and pendant lights will make lighting into the centerpiece of the entryway, and no matter what kind of home they’re in, it’ll give the front of the house an extra tinge of luxury. For instance, the Rory Rattan Drum Pendant spirals down with a vaguely jungle-esque aesthetic, and along with the light it provides, it defines an entryway as a portal to something elegantly unique.
Thin is In: Maximize Space with Smaller Pieces
It might sound counterintuitive in terms of inviting people in, but thinner furniture can actually be perfect for entryways. These pieces utilize a space without taking up too much of it, making things feel more open while maintaining a sense of being lived in. It’s actually a great way to embrace minimalism in a way that fits with several aesthetics, be it farmhouse, modern, or anything in between. The size of thinner furniture also means that it can be displayed with a great degree of versatility, adapting to whatever it needs to be used as. Looking for the perfect centerpiece that completes an entryway without filling it up? The Ember Narrow Solid Wood A-Frame bench is skinny and mini, slotting in at just the right angle of entrances and foyers.
Give Me Space: Eliminate the Clutter in Your Entryway
An entryway is meant to be immaculate, but a home is also supposed to be lived in. This means all the accoutrements, accessories, and other assorted items that go into everyday life. An efficient abode should provide a way to keep many of these items out of sight but close in reach, and that can be done through entryway pieces that are right there as soon as the door opens. Modern storage consoles or console tables are a fashionable way to keep things in place and convenient, all without taking up too much space or leaving things cluttered. Need something extra for underneath the coat rack? The Daria Woven Abaca Storage Bench adds elegant texture through its naturalistic design, all providing ample storage capacity for shoes, gloves, and more.
Put Heart into Your Entryway
Still can’t decide how to liven up the joint? Take a tour online to see the best way to make the entryway into the “heart” and soul of a home. Cardiologist Njeri Kuria, MD is enjoying her “décor era” courtesy of East at Main and gives a great example of how the right pieces can make the right first impressions. As seen on her Instagram account, the Teak Luisa Mirror is more than just reflective: it’s an artisanal addition to an entryway that, with its woodgrain and glass combo, can add an organic edge to the aesthetic. It goes perfectly with nearby décor, with the woodsy curvature of the Luna Arch Console Table being just minimalist enough to stylishly coalesce with the mirror. Available in various colors that are perfect to match the changing leaves of fall, its sleek, slight frame takes up just the right amount of space.
Need some place to park the keys? Ms. Kuria chose the Enamel Catchall Bowl, and true to its name, it’s ready to hold just about everything. Preventing clutter while keeping things contained, it completes an entryway when paired with these other pieces. The handcrafted bowl is made from natural, sustainable materials and boasts an exotic design inspired by African Kuba cloth, with the exotic motif having a global appeal. These additions are just what the doctor ordered, and they’re certain to make guests’ hearts skip a beat with excitement. Still looking to get your entryway prescription filled? Take a tour of East at Main’s many offerings to see how you can convert the front of the house from drab, shabby, and cluttered to sassy, classy, and comforting.
