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You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover—but first impressions matter. In many cases, we think it’s fair to judge a home by its foyer. The entrance should set the tone for what’s ahead, so you want to decorate it in a way that really showcases the style and mood of your whole home (no pressure!). Whether you have a grand house or a tiny apartment with a nook by the door, the entry is the first thing visitors see when they step inside and the sight that welcomes you home every day. It can be difficult to condense your home’s personality into one cohesive space—and carve out spots to put on your shoes and drop your keys. That’s why we’ve created a designer-approved list of entryway ideas to spark your inspiration.
From high drama to super cozy to ultra sleek, these are some of our favorite entryway ideas from designers.
For more entryway design ideas:
- 35 Small Entryway Ideas That Make a Stylish First Impression
- 22 Stair Railing Ideas to Elevate Your Home’s Design
- 33 Mudroom Ideas That Will Inspire You to Get Organized
1
Make It a Gallery
Anyone with an extensive art collection is familiar with the problem of not knowing where to hang every piece. Expanding your gallery into your entryway is a beautiful way to welcome people into your home that immediately displays its style. Melinda and John Thomas James of M. James Design Group did exactly that in their Houston pied-à-terre.
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Related: 45 Stylish Wall Decor Ideas for Every Room
2
Choose a Sleek Front Door
Sure, painted front doors can be beautiful, but a sleek and bright steel-and-glass front door is a game changer for your entryway. Architect Jeffrey Dungan replaced the solid front door in this Kansas City home with this custom one, letting natural light stream in and allowing the view of the outside to be a feature in the design.
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Related: 50 Prettiest Colors to Paint Your Front Door
3
Create a Niche
Unique houses often come with unique features, and whether or not your home’s entryway already has one, an alcove is a handy place to hang coats, hats, and other outdoor necessities. It also creates such an interesting design moment as soon as you walk in. The team at Shapeless Studio leaned into the personality of this post office turned home, preserving odd little nooks like this one and giving them new purposes.
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Related: 12 Closet Remodel Projects That Will Transform Your Space
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4
Install a Fun Light Fixture
Let the first thing your guests see as they enter your home be an utterly unique light fixture. Though the chandelier in this space designed by Sheldon Harte looks like it’s made of fabric, it's actually plaster.
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Related: How to Choose a Modern Chandelier
5
Cover It in Lacquer
Lacquered walls are always impactful, and your entryway should be one of the most high-impact rooms in your house. Designer Katie Davis chose glossy olive green for the walls and coffered ceiling to give this room added dimension.
Related: What It Actually Takes to Lacquer Your Walls
6
Create a Receiving Room
Turn back the clock and create an old-fashioned entryway that’s dedicated to welcoming guests. Receiving or keeping rooms aren’t as common as they once were, but designer Arianne Bellizaire wanted to lean into this historic detail in our 2023 Whole Home in Hinsdale, Illinois, so she made it into a modern and relaxing zone that honored the original concept.
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Related: 63 Tried-and-True Blue Paint Colors That Designers Rely On
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7
Design an Intriguing Exterior
Remember that the outside of your entryway should be just as beautiful as the inside. The outdoor portion of designer Emily Janak’s 1930s log cabin is moody yet feels natural thanks to its multiple wood tones and abundant plants.
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Related: 36 Beautiful Exterior House Colors and Paint Ideas
8
Add Stained Glass
Stained glass in an entryway is so classic and stunning. It’s a wonderful way to welcome guests into your home and eye candy for you to admire every single day. Of this historic Kansas City home, designer Annie Kern says, “The two-story stained glass window immediately sets a grand tone for the house.” She couldn’t be more correct.
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Related: 10 Stained Glass Design Ideas You’ll Love
9
Install a Skylight
No one wants the first impression of their home to be dark and drab. If your entryway could use a dose of vitamin D, consider installing a skylight. Susannah Charbin, founder and creative director of the multidisciplinary creative studio The Beaux Arts, did just that in the now-sunny entrance of her Long Island home.
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Related: 35 Small Entryway Ideas That Make a Stylish First Impression
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10
Make It Cozy
Warm tones, plenty of throw pillows, plush textures, gold accents—designer Carson Kressley definitely captures elevated, cozy vibes in the entryway of his Pennsylvania country home. We love how his riding boots match the ones in the artwork above the bench.
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Related: Inside Carson Kressley's NYC Apartment
11
Embrace the Drama
Designer Jonathan Savage wanted to create an entryway that wasn’t lacking in drama for our 2022 Whole Home, so he drenched the entire room in a deep, rich red—Preference Red by Farrow & Ball, to be exact. The archway leading into the dining lounge only adds to the extravagant feel of the space.
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Related: 27 Best Colors to Pair With Red
12
Let the Stairs Do the Talking
If you’re lucky enough to have a grand staircase in your home, especially at the entrance, then let your stairs have their moment. Designer Jeremiah Brent brought attention to the architecture and details of this entryway by keeping mostly everything white except the stairs themselves and the railing, which is wood and metal.
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Related: Who Is Jeremiah Brent? Meet Queer Eye's New Cast Member
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13
Combine Statement Wallcoverings
Prepare your guests for boldness throughout the house with an entryway that has three different—and equally impactful—wallcoverings. “I wanted you to know right away that this apartment is going to have bold color and pattern but in a sophisticated, elevated way,” says designer Kerri Pilchik.
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Related: The Best Wallpaper Ideas and Trends for 2023
14
Introduce the Color Palette
Use the front entryway to introduce the color scheme for the whole house. Designer Yancey Shearouse used all the interior colors for this Nashville home in the entrance—green, white, electric blue, and jewel tones—almost as an appetizer for what visitors are about to walk into.
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Related: How to Decorate With Jewel Tone Colors
15
Go Dark
Create a moody and sophisticated vibe upon entrance with a dark color palette. Though the rest of this home by designer Marika Meyer is rather colorful, an entryway where the only vibrant burst comes from the rug makes the entire house feel more dynamic.
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Related: 20 Colors That Go Beautifully With Blue
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16
Incorporate Antiques
Robin Henry filled this 1910 farmhouse with an array of antiques but made sure it didn’t skew too traditional with unexpected colors, fresh accents, and bold pattern mixing. Glossy honey-colored walls create a warm welcome.
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17
Keep It Small But Mighty
To bring some color to your entryway while keeping it casual, lean some oil paintings on the floor under a narrow console table. We’re loving the eclectic vibe of the houndstooth area rug, antique table, and farmhouse pitcher in this space by Andrew Flesher.
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18
Customize an Organization Zone
Customize an entryway workhorse that gets everything done in one piece! A floating bench and storage piece in this entrance by Kureck Jones proves just how useful it can be. With two drawers for essential eyesores and a surface for a lamp and a small bench with a comfy cushion, this two-in-one built-in has it all. Plus, there's still room for a mirror and plenty of wall hooks.
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19
Squeeze Into a Corner
Even a corner can become a proper entry with the right accessories. Designer Sarah Solis couldn’t fit a large round center table in this entryway, so she nestled a smaller and taller option into a corner for a similar effect and then spruced up the floors with an area rug.
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20
Make a Statement With Art
In this New York City restored industrial loft, Bunny Williams Interior Design and the architecture firm Ferguson & Shamamian used the entryway as a way to set the scene for what's ahead: an impressive art collection, period elements with contemporary spins, and airy, light colors. A foyer is an ideal place to hang a favorite piece of art for maximum impact. This entry hall lets the client's artwork and the stunning bones be the stars of the show.
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