The entrance hall welcomes you as you step from the outside world into your personal sanctuary. These ten creative ideas give it added function and a modern touch.
Entrance halls are rarely spacious. Storage, organisation and everyday practical functions need to fit within a small area. Consider vertical and horizontal space together, filling gaps thoughtfully rather than cramming everything in. Place the right piece in the right position with enough room around it. Identify the essential furniture first, then choose other items in order of importance without overcrowding the space.
It is natural to need a seat such as a pouffe in your entrance hall. Better still if it has a chest or cupboards underneath. A coat rack behind the seat makes it even more useful, and a shelf above the hooks for boxes and baskets completes the ideal arrangement.
The entrance hall need not feel gloomy. As the last space you see before leaving and the first to greet you on your return, it is better if it feels uplifting. Colour is your most practical ally. Introduce a bold, eye-catching shade and arrange the space to bring it out.
For an easily changeable solution, add a cheerful rug. Changing the floor finish can also help distinguish the entrance area from the living room in an open-plan home.
Decorating enthusiasts who enjoy eclectic style can combine nostalgic furniture and contemporary designs in the entrance hall, just as in the living room. Pair a modern console table or sideboard with a classical chair or bench, for example. Baskets and blue-and-white vases can extend this pairing.
For a creative touch, group different mirrors instead of using a conventional full-length one. They need not all share the same style: two styles can work together if the arrangement remains coherent. Position them with a considered sense of symmetry and geometry, as you would a group of pictures.
If your entrance is a shared open area leading to the living room and other rooms, with doorways on either side and a stairwell ahead, treat it as a foyer and position furniture centrally. A round table with a generous floral arrangement can create an attractive focal point. Remember a pendant light centred directly above it.
Some homes have so little entrance space that even a chair will not fit, let alone a shoe cabinet. Make the available space work as hard as possible. At least everyday shoes and slippers can be kept out of the way in baskets, while smarter shoes can be stored in boxes elsewhere in the home.
Place messages on walls or small shelves that lift your daily motivation and bring a smile as you arrive and leave. As we have noted, the entrance hall sees you off into the world and welcomes you back: it is the gateway to your home. The moment you see it can influence your mood. Find words that make you feel good and give them a place here.
We may live in the age of WhatsApp, email and text messages, but bank statements, bills, delivery slips and warranty documents can still arrive at home. Even if it means forgoing a vase and flowers, make sure there is a stationery corner to contain this paperwork and display shopping notes and reminders. Keep a place for keys, sunglasses and headphones nearby too.
