Asked on Sep 04, 2012
any ideas for decorating my entryway? also, any creative ideas for the mail slot for catching the mail??
+17
the entry way is a cement floor. the bump out on the left is 32inches deep. the walls are real wood that were painted with white primer only.
32 inches deep. mailslot on right is 12 inches long.
cement floor
above door at eye height on way out of house
i need to replace outside lighting also.
20 answers
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It seems you have a bit of a rustic idea started ...at least with that lamp...Perhaps some antique farming tools and implements ? A small galvanized tray could be mounted under the mail slot.
KMS Woodworks
on Sep 05, 2012
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My first thought would be to turn it into a mini mud room of sorts adding a built in or set in bench with a place for wet or muddy shoes to dry and hook above to hand damp coats.
Z
on Sep 05, 2012
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I agree with Becky, a built in bench with cubbies below for shoes and boots, hooks behind for coats and cubbies above for mittens, hats and scarves. Lower profile exterior lighting would give a feeling of more space without sacrificing illumination. I would change out the rug and wall decor to reflect the seasons, bright pops of color make a cheery welcoming statement.
Neocrowe
on Aug 24, 2013
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Ditto Becky and stain the floor
Jackie T
on Aug 26, 2013
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you could base coat the floor and then add a painted stencil to it ,i bought a cup cake collar with cut out stencil on it you could use, paint the walls a soft colour then stencil with a small pattern and hang a homemade tin can lantern with matching stencil cut outs to let the light shine through and display onto the walls and ceiling
Felicity Woodruffe
on Nov 04, 2013
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I like a lot of the ideas above. You could also get a vintage mailbox to hang instead of using the mail slot
MM&D
on Mar 07, 2014
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Yes, add the bench. I think you need to paint the little space, too! Soft yellow, soft coral, soft coastal blue, whatever you like. Hang a garden hat. A basket with greenery (take down the red white and blue thing). the bench. Get a new light fixture that looks rustic, a pretty nice doormat. a Hook with a sign hand-painted, something accessory=like.
Vicki K
on Mar 07, 2014
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Paint the floor, then get a coordinating rug in a pattern you like, somewhat larger than the mat you now have. The walls could look fantastic with vintage pieces, perhaps hardware or kitchenware, or even tin signs.
KathrynElizabeth Etier
on Mar 07, 2014
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Like the mud room idea. coat hooks on a plaque a basket or galvanized busket for the mail hung by the chains. Maybe even memo board. Pick your favorite color and remember it's the first thing people will see of your home. What feel do you want to have when you walk in?
Debbie Harris
on Mar 08, 2014
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I kind of had the same issue with my entry way. I turned it into a mud room. A small built in bench seat upholstered, painted the walls a creamy almond color, the trim, door trim and bench is a walnut color. I hung a cute wooden wall sconce and an antique drawer and used it as a shelf. The floor is stone with a small runner in burgandy and there is a built in knee high cubby for shoes ect.
Kendra Loftus
on Mar 08, 2014
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How about a painted fencepost, or signpost with dirrections to your relatives homes. An arrow to Gramma's, one for Auntie Sue, one for the Vet? etc you might find a pruned limb long enough to stand in that corner if you didn't want to paint, then nail on the dirrection arrows. There could be one towards the front door that says HOME, hang a pair of Bright Sparkling Red Shoes on that arrow! Now I want to make this one!
Helen
on Mar 27, 2014
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SAVE THE LIGHT,,,,,,,,,you can repurpose it for an interior deco piece,, clean it and maybe paint it matt black,,,,,,,navy blue,,,or rustic brown.., you need better lighting for that area, maybe a sconce, or hanging light. I like the idea of cubbies, baskets, and a bench to keep it looking neat. I'd add either a short shelf with hooks below it, for seasonal decorations, a wreath, or wall hanging with a favorite saying... Other option I think would be cute, a minil closet like structure (freestanding~pitched roof) to put stuff in,, boots, gloves, umbrella, pruning shears, etc..... I'd lastly paint or stain the concrete and add a more substancial entry matt.
Wanda sinnema
on Mar 28, 2014
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I vote for the storage bench. You can never have too much money or too much storage!
Marion Nesbitt
on Apr 02, 2014
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I just saw on the Pallet and Scrap Wood Board, the cutest corner bench. It was higher than chair level. It was made from pallet wood and actually had a built corner to it. It was painted bright red which would really compliment your questioned area. I hope I described the bench well enough. It actually went around the corner a little bit. It was a super simple design w a plant on it. I've never seen anything that simple, easy and clever.
Cathey DeRosa
on Apr 02, 2014
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Paint the floor in a grey or blue, continue the theme by using a motif of small to medium sized baskets on the wall in descending order, finish with a larger one to catch the mail under the mailslot.
Marcy, Professional Designer, Artist and Arts and Crafts Instructor
on Nov 07, 2014
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You may be done by now, but here is my 2 cents worth. I would paint everything the same light soft colour of whatever colour you like except the narrow back wall in the bump out, which I would do at least 2 or 3 shades darker and the hang as big a framed mirror on that wall as you can get. Mirror reflects light. I'd build a useful little bench underneath the mirror for putting on shoes. I would make it a lift top for storage and make a padded seat cover with cheerful colourful material that flatters the paint. I would hang a light above the door so it takes up no useable space down below. You are in Pa, so you have snow. :) we do to. I would cover the floor in a good indoor out door carpet and have a smaller rug of the same carpet cut for in front of the door and maybe even one in front of the bench for snowy dirty wet boots. Paint the ceiling white to reflect the light down. I wouldn't accessorize too much, it's very small, but maybe a nice piece of wood with two or three coat hooks might be useful, for coats, umbrellas etc. If you can, please show us what you have done.
Lori
on Dec 21, 2014
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I, too, have one of these little "bump out porches" on the front of my home. It is not insulated and has one window on either side. The outer door is a screen door that I dislike. On one side is a "shelf-catch-all". Mostly what this is, is a "junk room" for things needing to go to storage or on the way to the recycle bin outside. I hate this little space. If I could remove it and make a nice big front porch I would, but I don't have the $$ to do that. I will try some of your suggestions.
Jeannie Andrews
on Jan 18, 2015
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A small window would give natural light during the day. It would need to be high up on the wall so you could install coat hooks under it. Cubbies under the coats would be a handy storage place for boots and mittens. A tree stump could be placed near the door for removing wet boots and shoes. If adding a window is more than you want to do, then use a swag light to place where it would illuminate the entire area. The concrete floor would be a place to add some color. Indoor /outdoor carpet if you like or just paint it a pretty color. That would leave you a wall to decorate with baskets of flowers, your star or whatever you desire. I would probably get rid of the mail slot and put a box on the outside of the house. I've never had a mail slot. Do mail slots have to be horizontal? If not, locate it near the door in a vertical position. A basket , large flower pot or tin pail on the floor would be decorative as well as a catch all for the mail. It's such a tiny little space who'd thought it would need so many things?
Lindcurt
on Mar 17, 2015
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Do something with mirrors to bounce light and make space look bigger.
Wendy roberts
on Mar 21, 2015
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As for the floor, I would either paint (be sure to use cement paint) it or put down those wonderful carpet tiles. I bought my cement paint in the "oops dept" at local box store - it is surprising how long it lasts. The carpet tiles can add color or pattern depends on what you like. If one becomes soiled they are easily replace or even taken up to clean. It's hard to tell, but that back wall appears to offer enough room for a small bench, put a tray under, fill with river rocks and use to place wet boots or shoes, while the bench offers a place to take them off b4 entering the house. Bench c/b made from scrape wood & antiqued. As for the door, a splash of color might help, a bright red, or yellow, even a teal might not be too dark. Bright and light in small spaces. Above the bench you could add a colorful wreath that changes with the seasons for added interest
Pat Ruge
on Feb 18, 2016
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