Tiny entry way. How to decorate?

Question

I have the smallest entry way with virtually no room for furniture. Any ideas how to make this space functional and pretty?

Anna M · Answer

Here is something I have done with my own! http://www.hometalk.com/diy/entryway/entryway-makeover-654713

Michelle · Answer

Thanks, Anna! This is awesome!

Trent-Tonya Sharp · Answer

If you cant find a table small enough remember you can cut it in half so it will not be to wide and a mirror is a must always helps small spaces look more open (and you can check your pretty smile out before leaving) :)

Michelle · Answer

That's a good point! There isn't much light in the space so a mirror would definitely brighten it up! Thanks Trent-Tonya Sharp!

Alaya · Answer

I used a shelf as a table in mine since I have the same issue with space. Also, cant go wrong with a mirror.

Jamala W · Answer

I would suggest do a wall of mirrors to make the space appear larger.. also..maybe a floor vase with some sort of arragemets..

Michelle · Answer

I checked out your space, Alaya, and I def think that would work for mine!

Michelle · Answer

Jamala, I love the wall of mirrors idea!

WallsTreat Studio/ Kass Wilson · Answer

Great suggestions on the decor. It also looks like you have some good start and stop points on the walls. You can further define this space with paint. In such a small area, do a subtle shift of color that will work as a 'suggestion' rather than something bold. Look to the furnishings and color scheme in the next room for inspiration about what color will work best. Also, avoid the temptation to add any kind of finish because it will over power the space. If you still need some punch, do it with a fun new area rug.

Neatsmart · Answer

These are all great suggestions. Maybe you could look into adding a shelf that mounts to the wall in lieu of a table? I'm not sure of the dimensions but a lot of places like Home Goods and Target have those. A mirror is a must. If you use this as your main entry, make sure you've got a place to gather your keys, sunglasses, etc so that they don't get lost in the rest of your house. Some artwork would be nice, too. You can even frame some postcards to put above the light switches.

Kimberly Barney · Answer

I see an issue with all the doors that you have in your small entry wall but with that I also see three corners that could benefit from having corner picture rails installed so that you could display various items that could be changed out with the season or simply as your mood changes. The rails could be painted white to match the trim and door to allow your displays to pop or they could be painted gray, black or any other color to bring in a pop of color with the shelves. I like the idea of the mirror, too, with a half table which could also be used for storage of keys as well as an additional display area that could be changed out. Remember that the entry is the first statement for the rest of your home. The rug doesn't do anything for the space right now. If you want color, look into making your own rug either from a drop cloth or sisal rug that you can add color to or make a t-shirt or rag rug that can truly bring in color.

Mary Thorne · Answer

My entryway is smaller :(

Sharry Speaks Closter · Answer

I agree about a small long table, with a small lamp, a dish to put your keyes in when you walk into the door. A mirror over that is nice or even a big framed picture. No family picture and not a bunch of small pictres either( to much clutter & dusting). Even some greenery is nice too.

Supernewf · Answer

A nice little side table with a mirror above.

Diane · Answer

Mirror's are a good way to fool the eye into feeling spacious, and brightens the area too. I could be a grouping of somall to medium size mirrors or one large (tall) mirror to draw the eye upward.

Betty Webb · Answer

Just add a decorative board across the wall with pretty hooks to hang coats, scarves,umbrella and such and maybe a self floating shelf above that with knick knacks, pictures or small floral arrangement and maybe a colorful rug.

Sondra A · Answer

You could wallpaper with a light colored simple pattern. Place a large mirror on the wall. I also like the long narrow table. If you want to put more into it you could take out the hall closet and and fix it up with hooks, table, shoe/boot holders, etc. Somewhere on HT I saw someone else had done this and it looked amazing.

Cindy W · Answer

I would add tall plant tables flanking each side of the door, A wall of mirrors on the right side wall when facing the door A geometric colored rug. and 2 small matching pictures above the plant tables . If you can find the space maybe a metal coat rack that you can attach to the wall.!

Clarence N · Answer

To make the narrow passage way appear more spacious paint 3-d graphics on the walls. For ideas see Facebook-Hawaii Fiber Optic Lighting!!! Clarence 'Tulips'

Larose LoganOakes · Answer

Hi Michelle!Question- Is this a rental? If so you have to be careful not to go overboard if you choose to do any painting. These small areas tend to get clogged up with what-nots and such.I see a nice size mirror on the wall to the right of the front door and maybe a corner cabinet to the left of the door. It would be nice if you could find one of those old fashioned coat racks with the seat and the built in mirror.I just love those but sometimes they are just too massive. I think they call those coat trees.Here is a pic of a nice small corner cabinet.This one is currently listed on ebay.

Susan · Answer

A library table with lamp, wall coat rack, umbrella stand and some pics on the walls would make this entry hall very inviting.

Michelle · Answer

Larose, it is a rental so my options are pretty limited. Thanks for the suggestions! My creative juices are flowing!

Stu188546 · Answer

we stayed in a lovely old apartment in Paris with a small entry  It was painted with a mural and had a small table.  It think for your entry you might find a mural wallpaper and hang a decorative shelf with a mirror over it.  It could really pop.  Maybe a black and white check for an entry mat???

Accentuations! · Answer

COLOR!!! Hi Michelle...are you able to paint? or paper? Not sure if you are renting? If you have the freedom to move forward I would definately paint the entry a subtle color for contrast and utilize art, mirrors and even furniture to liven it up...Demilune (half tables) are available everywhere so that you could have somewhere to drop the mail or your keys when you come in. If you are more adventurous I would check garage and tag sales for a sofa table that you love and then have it cut in half horizontally. Mounting it on the wall will 'L' brackets is simple to do also. (just ask me) You could even paint it a nice bright color. Mirrors always work as art and provide light when hung opposite a light source and will brighten the area as well. If you look on line, there are many places with murals available---these will fit the wall but yet be removable when you leave. Don't forget a nice bright area rug!! Sallie

Christine Green · Answer

Have something just down the hall to immediately get their attention. If its small most people are looking ahead anyway.

Tamara · Answer

In the corner between the closet and front door, I think I might install some wall mounted corner shelves to hold small decorative items. Maybe a vase of flowers, a photo or two, atop the shelf but leaning into the wall, not mounted or in a big frame, but something sandwiched between two pieces of glass. Clean and spare, not cluttery. A decorative bowl for keys. While not every space has to be filled, this is an otherwise dead space and as your foyer is so small, you don't want to overwhelm with a ton of nick knacks.

Perhaps on the larger wall to the right you could put in a collection of black and white artwork or photography and intersperse some pieces with color. Again, you don't want to overwhelm, however adding some interesting pieces will work wonders.

I am not so sure affixing shelving to that right wall is a good idea. Even a shallow shelf or ledge will project out too far and people are bound to walk into it, either harming themselves on the corners or knocking down whatever you've put on the shelves. I believe you'd have the same issue with thin tables or half tables. You are simply asking for stuff to be broken as well as cluttering up a space which is small. Adding furniture is only going to make it look smaller. Additionally, I believe if you paint more than one wall you are going to close up the space. The nice thing about white is that it makes spaces look bigger. If you add color, do only the wall where the front door is, or, the right wall.

There are also systems which you can use to hang artwork by installing a rod across the top of the wall, close to the ceiling and then adding a series of bars and hooks from which to hang the framed or unframed pieces. Take a look at a few different brands by Googling 'artwork hanging system'. There are loads of examples including wrought iron, wood, cool looking wires with metal clips, etc.

Good luck and I'd love to see what you end up with. ♥

Caroline Hargrove · Answer

I would find a narrow table that would fit in the space to the right of the door as we are seeing it in the picture. A long mirror eye level above the table, small arrangement of silk flowers or dried flowers depending on the season, perhaps a long narrow basket on the table to drop mail etc into. The wall appears to have a set back, could be a place for hooks for hanging coats etc, umbrella stand in the corner and perhaps a shelf for gloves, hats etc. If possible would paint the set back area a soft color, tan, pastel etc to make it a stand alone accent wall. A long runner rug inside the door plain color or a design that would make the space appear larger. Mirrors are always a good thing to use for enlarging the looks of a space.

Sharon Bartel-Reeves · Answer

On the right side of the door make a shelf about 3ft wide by 8 inches deep above that put a good sized mirror and sconces on each side of that. It will make the area look wider and you can put a pretty flower arrangement on the shelf and your keys etc and have plenty of foot room under .

Amanda DeLoach · Answer

may need to be careful putting a shelf on the wall for me when you walk in the door if there were a shelf there it may feel as if you are going to walk into it....they do make narrow sofa tables that would work there or like someone said may a hook rack to put coats etc...with a nice mirror above it.

Lisa's Creative Designs · Answer

A large mirror would definitely make the space look larger. How about some wall decals or a small mural if you like to paint?

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