Full interior entryway opens immediately to living room.
How can I transform this main entryway?
by
Jennifer H.
+10
GOAL(s): Reconfiguration?
Create an actual entry-space to our home.
Do we move door?
Move windows (1) where front door currently is, (2) move and replace with wider front door with (3) window to left of where current windows are now?
Yes, it’s a major reconfiguration to the exterior wall of the house, but I’ve been speaking to a contractor about adding additional electrical work, lighting, internal WiFi/speaker wiring into the full length of the front interior wall that would Affect the front bedroom and living room. It is actually the idea that’s triggered changing entry configuration!
There are a number of things I like about our home, but our main entry is NOT one of them. I have been profoundly baffled as how to improve this entrance to our home from inside the house. We did remove the rail that was there and now the landing is open.
(I am going to build needed storage under the landing. )
The wall along the front entry has a large double window along the approximately 20 ft length (photo below). We plan to Sheetrock the lower portion of the wall, however not until the placement of the entryway & associated windows is resolved.Any and all ideas, photos, drawings are invited and welcome. thanks!
Jennifer-South Metro Atlanta, GA
Perspective: Standing directly in front of opened front door before entering home. There isn’t an “entryway”.
Perspective: Immediately Left, 1 step in front of closed front door.
Perspective: Taken beside stairway post next to couch, in front of stairs facing front door.
Perspective: Back against interior side of front door at waist level (I’m 5’ 5” tall).
Living Room
Perspective: 1-step into “entry” with door closed behind me.
Exact width of Entry is the width of the front door plus approximately 3-inches.
Can you post a few more pictures, Jennifer? Ones that show the whole entry area?
The wood in your home is simply beautiful. I see the space seems a bit tight though. There's an image in this slideshow of an entryway (to a cabin) and they have a door with a larger window (which helps with light), and I wonder if moving your grandfather clock and putting a small bench in its place would also help to lighten the space. Also check the color on the photo in the slideshow. They lightened up the wood by painting the door trim a tan color. https://deringhall.com/daily-features/contributors/dering-hall/captivating-living-rooms-with-natural-wood-elements?slide=24 Good luck!
We had somewhat of the same problem. I sort of made an enter using the back of couch and a small table. This gives the illusion of an entry. Use a couch of other large item as a divider of sorts. Add a table to catch things like mail and add a coat rack to hold things like coats, of course, hats, scarves, etc. A large milk jug (metal not glass) works nice for things like umbrellas. I live in Oregon so the umbrella storage idea gets a lot of use.
Are you trying to make the space look larger? Are you looking for better storage options? I understand you are wanting to improve it, but what's your goal?
Hi Jennifer,
I've been looking at your pictures, but I'm not sure if the windows are part of the entryway or if they are part of a room next to the entryway. I see something rose colored in one corner. If that's part of the entryway, it blocking the openness. As it stands, when you open the outside door you have as much room as you're going to get for the length of the entryway. I do agree with a lot of what Courtney and Mogie wrote. Lightening up the area to give an illusion of space, might help. If the rose colored object can be moved to the other side of the room (if that is a separate room) that would also help give the illusion of space. Also I would change the door next to the entry door. It looks like it might be a closet. If that's true, I'd install a regular hollow door so that it blends in with the wall - again adding the illusion of space. Moving and outside door or windows can be a real pain because of both the inside and the outside need to be redone and you need to watch for wires running through the walls. Good luck & wishing you the best!
I agree that we need more pics to get the entire idea of all the space/issues. My initial thought is to remove the entry door and put it where one of the windows is and put the window in the door location for light. The stairs is WAY to close to the door! Plus, it's dangerous with no rail at the open stairway.
Can you take a photo from the open door, and one from the wooden door down the space? is that a closed in porch or your living room to the right. Cause I would be thinking move the door so your not caught in the tight space between the staircase and the door.