Transforming Your Small Entryway into a Stylish and Functional Space
Entryways are the unsung heroes of the home. Though the entrance may not get as much stationary use, as, say the kitchen or bedroom, it works just as hard to keep you organized and make a good first impression on all who come inside. No matter the size, functionality is key. The best small entryway ideas combine storage and style.
The Importance of a Well-Designed Entryway
A good entryway acts as the transitional space between the outdoors and the rest of your home. It’s not only a place to drop bags, take off shoes, and store essentials like mail and dog leashes, your entry is also where you introduce the personality to be found in the rest of your interiors. And while a small entryway may be a little more daunting, you’ll soon see that size isn’t everything—a strategic, stylish design goes a long way.
35 Expert-Approved Small Entryway Ideas to Inspire You
From benches with built-in storage to bold hallway paint colors that reflect light, we have you covered with expert-approved small entryway ideas ahead. If you’re in need of some inspiration for your own small entryway, these designer examples will do the trick. From narrow hallway entrances to front doors without dedicated foyers and awkward corner nooks that open right up into the living room, these small designer entryways solve common problems beautifully. They’re proof that limited square footage is no match for a savvy design plan.
1. Round It Out
You don’t have to use low-profile furniture that hugs the wall just because you have a small entryway. A vintage round wine-tasting table and a pouf greet visitors to Katie Hodges’s bungalow in the Hollywood Hills. She chose a vintage Ponce Berga wall lamp to light the corner without taking up precious surface space.
2. Drench It in a Bold Hue
Jonathan Savage immersed the small entryway of our 2022 Whole Home in Preference Red by Farrow Ball. This cocooning shade in a high-gloss finish makes it feel cozy, distinct, and intentional.
Tips for Maximizing Your Small Entryway
- Enlist double-duty furniture
- Simplify the color scheme
- Try a mural or bold wallpaper
- Fill it with photos or artwork
- Give it an extra purpose
3. Enlist Double-Duty Furniture
In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Emily Janak chose to forego the traditional table and put a bench in her small entryway instead. It gives you a comfortable place to sit and put on shoes, and the firm cushion can double as a drop zone when needed. Plus, the space underneath is perfect for storing shoes.
4. Simplify the Color Scheme
A tried-and-true way to make any small space feel larger is to minimize the number of colors in it. We’re not suggesting you go full-on minimalist if you don’t want to, but you may want to take a note from designer Alexandra Angle and pick one vibrant shade like the red seen here to offset an otherwise neutral palette.
More Ideas to Enhance Your Entryway
- Try a mural or bold wallpaper to make a bold impact
- Fill the space with photos or artwork to add personality
- Give it an extra purpose, like a mini home office
- Make materials work harder, like dark herringbone flooring
- Hide clutter with a skirted bench or storage ottoman
5. Try a Mural
An easy way to make a bold impact in a small entryway is to opt for a wallpaper with a large-scale print. Andrew Howard chose Iksel’s Japanese Cranes print to adorn this bright space, ceilings and all.
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6. Fill It With Photos
Lathem Gordon made the small entryway in her own Georgia home pop with a gallery wall of black-and-white family photographs in coordinating gilt frames. A gray paint color cools off all the gold shine. And because it opens right into a bathroom, she made sure to choose a formal and pretty shower curtain that flatters the hallway.
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Utilizing Furniture to Enhance Your Entryway
- Use a secretary desk with stools tucked underneath
- Mount a demilune table to add old-world opulence
- Install a high shelf for storage and display
- Make your staircase shine with intricate parquet flooring
7. Give It an Extra Purpose
A secretary desk with stools tucked underneath makes a surprising style statement and allows the small entryway in Juan Carretero’s historic home in Catskill, New York, to double as a mini home office. Carretero opted for a deep green paint color to contrast the light wood finishes of the furniture and stairs, then painted the low ceiling in a glossy blush to give your complexion a candlelit glow.
8. Make Materials Work Harder
Because the stairwell eats into the square footage of this small entryway in a home designed by Studio Osklo, the firm decided to focus on the materials. With less room for decoration, they needed to work extra hard. Enter dark herringbone flooring and pinstriped paneling around the curved staircase.
Adding Texture and Visual Interest
- Spotlight a rug to introduce the color palette
- Choose the right lighting, like a pendant and statement table lamp
- Think about flow and functionality
- Customize it with built-ins, like a floating bench with drawers
9. Hide Clutter With a Skirted Bench
In this Los Angeles bungalow, the cheerful lavender tone Benjamin Moore’s Grape Ice greets you as you step through the front door, says Leah Ring of Another Human. An upholstered bench in the small dining nook doubles as a place to sit when coming in and out. Ring decided to add a skirt to the bench to enhance the general whimsy and provide out-of-sight storage for shoes and dog leashes.
10. Mount a Demilune
A small, wall-mounted demilune table brings old-world opulence to this apartment designed by Patrick McGrath, while the vibrant and eclectic leaning artwork and stacked books give it a laid-back vibe. The mirror bounces natural light around, and the small surface provides just enough space to prop photographs and flowers without jutting too far into the walkway.
More Expert-Approved Ideas
- Install a high shelf for storage and display
- Make your staircase shine with intricate parquet flooring
- Lean artwork against the wall for a casual vibe
- Make use of baskets for hidden storage
- Spotlight a rug to introduce the color palette
11. Install a High Shelf
This hallway feeds into the main living space and open kitchen, so it needed a landing zone that covers all the bases. Emil Dervish proves a little floating shelf and a basket are all it takes. Oh, and a bold paint color can make a door really pop.
12. Make Your Staircase Shine
A staircase is often the first thing you see when you enter a home, so you may as well make it memorable! Intricate parquet flooring and dramatic Carrara marble steps take center stage in this show-stopping entryway designed by Tamsin Johnson. A modern glass-and-metal table speaks to the artistic front door handle and mirror, providing a sneak peek of the home’s elegant design style.
Creating a Cohesive Look
- Style a console table with coffee table books and a table lamp
- Optimize the walls with double-tiered consoles and hooks
- Customize it with built-ins, like a floating bench with drawers
By incorporating these expert-approved small entryway ideas into your design, you can create a stylish and functional space that sets the tone for the rest of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the importance of a well-designed entryway?
A well-designed entryway acts as a transitional space between the outdoors and the rest of your home, providing a place to drop bags, take off shoes, and store essentials.
How can I make my small entryway feel larger?
You can make your small entryway feel larger by simplifying the color scheme, using double-duty furniture, and adding a bold wallpaper or mural.
What type of furniture is best for a small entryway?
Double-duty furniture such as a bench with storage or a secretary desk with stools can be a great option for a small entryway.
How can I add personality to my entryway?
You can add personality to your entryway by filling it with photos or artwork, adding a bold rug, or using a statement piece of furniture.
What are some tips for maximizing storage in a small entryway?
You can maximize storage in a small entryway by using a skirted bench, installing a high shelf, or making use of baskets for hidden storage.
How can I create a cohesive look in my entryway?
You can create a cohesive look in your entryway by styling a console table with coffee table books and a table lamp, optimizing the walls with double-tiered consoles and hooks, and customizing it with built-ins.
