Ideas for Entryway Décor

The Basics
The entryway is your landing area and mood-setter in one. Take your home décor from wall to wall and ceiling to floor by including the following fundamental elements in your entryway:

• Anchor Furniture. Find a table, bench or console that is proportionate to the size of the entryway. It can be used as a functional element or as a home for a decorative arrangement. Placement is also important—don’t put it anywhere that would obstruct the flow of traffic from the door to other rooms.
  • Tip: Try experimenting with alternatives for your piece of anchor furniture. For example, a chair, stool, side table or even a repurposed dresser can be used to lend an unexpected element to your entryway. Go even further and inject more personality into the area by changing the use or the look of the furniture piece with paint, new hardware and a little lumber or molding. A three-drawer dresser could become a seating piece with one drawer at the bottom for storage with a little ingenuity!

• Mirror. Mirrors can provide the illusion of openness and space, which is perfect for smaller entryways. Dress up your entry area or give it a more casual look depending on the frame. Modern, ornate, classic or flea-market treasure, even a simple element like a mirror can show off your home décor style.

• Rug. Rugs or mats add a cozy feeling to your entryway, but also serve a protective function for your floor. Choose a durable material that complements your other color and style choices.

• Lighting. Making your entryway décor glow can be done with a variety of fixture options. Ceiling lighting is the most common for entryways. Read our Sweet Looks for Chandeliers article for ideas on how to add an elegant, personal touch to your entry area.
  • Tip: Set the mood in your entryway by adding a dimmer switch to lighting elements, making it easier to shed as much light as desired.

• Mail and Keys Collectors. Find objects that are both decorative and functional, like trays or ceramic bowls that can collect your essentials and double as entryway décor.
  • Tip: To add a personalized touch, use paint pens to add decorative lettering to the inside rim of your mail and key collectors. An “M” for mail and a “K” for keys not only keeps your objects organized; it shows off your creativity.

Adding Seasonal Home Décor
To celebrate seasons and holidays, add special decorations to your entryway that can be changed when the weather does. Take inspiration from Mother Nature when selecting your color scheme and scents.

• Fall Foliage. The great outdoors is the perfect place to find craft supplies in the fall. Try another form of recycling and use leaves, gourds, berries and more to create seasonal art or darling décor for your doorway. Read Outdoor Adornments for Autumn for ideas that will get you thinking beyond the wreath and check out Brilliantly Preserved Leaves for artwork you can hang on an entry wall.

• Brilliant Bouquet. A bouquet or bundle of flowers can be the finishing touch to complete a nice tabletop presentation. Try this project for a Paper Flower Bouquet for a budget-friendly way to add color to your room that won’t wilt or wither. By using different paper colors and textures you can create arrangements that fit the current season or even holidays like Halloween or special occasions like birthday parties.
  • Tip: Find more ways to transform a simple vase and make your entryway tabletop truly stand out with ideas from our Ten Ways to Fill a Vase article.

Show Your Personality
A home is a place for personal expression—choose furniture, wall color and accents that reflect you, your style and your interests. Adding special touches doesn’t always require big changes and the smallest details can make the biggest impact on your home décor.

• Meaningful Welcome. Greet guests with a welcoming touch that represents you. Frame a special quote that is important to your family or showcase an heirloom. You can also create a message or magnet board to hang in your entryway where you can write personalized messages and post photos. Or try decorating with items that are symbolically welcoming like a pineapple, which represents hospitality, or an upturned horseshoe for luck.

• Paint and Wallpaper. Accentuate your entryway by accenting it with a vibrant paint color or wallpaper that complements the surrounding areas. Try wallpapering or painting above or below an existing wall molding for a unique two-tone effect.

• Photos and Artwork. Use family photos, artwork or collectibles to showcase your family’s hobbies or artistic taste. Check out Family Style Decor or Modern Heirlooms for decorating ideas.

Getting off on the right foot starts the moment your guests step into your home. Try these entryway décor tips for creating and decorating a welcoming entryway that will make your place a home away from home for your visitors during the winter holiday season and any time of the year.