How To Design + Plan The Perfect Entryway

We’ve all stepped foot inside a home and been greeted by a dark entryway that’s anything BUT welcoming…

Your home’s entryway is the first impression when guests visit, and the first space you’ll enter when arriving back to your home sanctuary.

The perfect entryway is bright and fresh — allowing a comfortable transition from the outdoors into your home, by using clever storage solutions to avoid the dreaded cramped hallway where you’re tripping over shoes before you’ve even made it inside.

We’re diving into exactly what you need to consider when planning, designing or updating your entryway to achieve a knock-out first impression…

The Stables • Entryway Console Styling

So, how do you update an Entryway?

First things first — you’ll need to assess your current space and take note of how effective it is. Does clutter accumulate? Is it dark? Then as part of your planning process, consider which design features, renovations and styling elements will be most beneficial to fix any problems and increase the functionality of your home entry.

3 Entryway Do’s:

• Practicality: Your home entrance serves the purpose of guiding people in and out of your home. Avoid anything unnecessary that impedes the natural flow.

• Avoid carpet: Imagine a rainy day with umbrellas, wet clothes and shoes on a carpeted entryway? Enough said. Opt for tiles or engineered floorboards that are more resistant to stains and daily wear and tear.

• Low maintenance: Easy and breezy is the goal of a great entrance design. Utilise storage options to avoid constant tidying, which will save you time and keep the space organised.

Three Birds Renovations • Entryway Layout

Entryway Floor Plan

Building a new home or undertaking a renovation? The good news is that you can plan your entryway from scratch, so there’s no excuses for a dark, dingey first impression. Your floor plan and entryway renovation should include the following…

Entryway Layout Tips:

• Add a drop zone: Consider a bench seat with built-in storage for shoes or a cupboard with hooks for jackets and shopping bags.

• Natural light: Think about ways to ensure your entry is filled with natural light through windows or skylights. A front door with glass is a great idea if windows aren’t possible.

• Door swing: A sure-fire way to ruin a first impression is a door that swings directly into a console, basket or a pile of shoes! Keep the area near your front door clear from clutter.

Alisa & Lysandra • Entryway Built-In Storage

Woodhull • Entryway Bench Seat Design

Entryway Colour Scheme

If you’re thinking “How important could my entryway colour scheme be, anyway?” The answer is very. It’s the absolute BEST opportunity you have to showcase the design and style of your home from the get-go, as soon as people step foot in the door. Think carefully about your colour decisions to ensure your entryway is cohesive and inviting.

Entryway Colour Ideas:

• Cohesion: Your entryway colour scheme should represent the materials, finishes and colour tones that are present throughout the rest of the home. For example, use handles in the same finish as your bathroom tapware.

• Light and bright: The entry to your home should always feel light and bright, which also helps to add a sense of space to smaller homes as well. Paint tones should be used in light and neutral hues.

We’ve done the hard work for you when it comes to deciding on timeless and cohesive colour schemes — The Ultimate Home Renovation Bundle is your reno bible for the entire home.

Hegi • Neutral Entryway Colour Scheme

Three Birds Renovations • Entryway Front Door Colours

Entryway Styling

Avoiding clutter and creating an airy space that flows seamlessly is the name of the game when it comes to a foyer renovation, but well-placed styling pieces create a high-end and designer look and feel that adds to the ambience and welcoming atmosphere you want to achieve.

Entryway Styling How-To:

• Mirrors: Light is a top priority for a successful entryway, and a mirror helps to add dimension and a sense of spaciousness without taking up a single millimetre of floor space.

• Artwork: For larger entryways with higher ceilings, placing a statement piece of artwork in complementary colours to your overall scheme is a beautiful way to add that extra design punch.

• Positioning: For styling and decoration pieces, make sure you avoid placing them in high-traffic spaces where cabinet doors open or things could potentially be broken — especially with kids!

Andy and Deb • Entryway Styling Ideas

Spectrum Architecture • Entryway Mirror

Entryway Lighting

Natural light is the bees knees for your entry, but block size and privacy can impact where doors and windows are placed. Including a lighting plan is just as important for your entry as any other room in your home for style + function, especially at night. Use our checklist below for A+ lighting in your foyer or entry.

Entryway Lighting Checklist:

• LED Strip: Incorporating LED strip lights into your entryway joinery is a premium way of creating a practical lighting solution.

• Wall Lights: Sconces and wall lights are a beautiful way of incorporating light into your space while also giving you an opportunity to choose lights that enhance your design.

• Dimmers: For lighting at night, keep your lighting on dimmers so you’re able to control the amount of light and ambience once the sun goes down.

Zephyr and Stone • Coastal Home Entryway with LED Lighting

Zephyr and Stone • Entry Wall Lights

Ready to create the perfect entryway?

Check out our downloadable resources to help you plan and organise your project + stay on budget!

We’d also love to hear about your entryway or foyer reno experiences + tips in the comments below!