5 Steps to DESIGNING a Welcoming Entryway

The funniest thing happened today. As I opened the gorgeous steel front door, walked into the entryway, set my car keys down on the entry table and took off my shoes, I breathed a sigh of relief. I was home.

You know that feeling? That ‘take-the-day-off-it’s-all-going-to-be-okay-because-you’re-finally-where-you-belong’ sensation? That ‘feels-like-a-warm-welcoming-hug’ kind of feeling?

Yeah. Mmm-hmmm.

That one.

You know what I’m talking about.

Except, I felt that feeling in SOMEONE ELSE’S HOUSE!

Lol. That’s right! I walked into my client’s house – an entryway that I HAD DESIGNED – and felt that ‘I’ve-come-home’ feeling!

And y’all let me tell you, there’s few things more powerful than feeling like you’ve come home. But there’s even fewer things sweeter than knowing you DESIGNED that space! I rock, if I do say so myself!

Now that that praise party is done, let’s talk about how YOU can have that delicious feeling every single time you walk in your door.

Or, how you can make everyone who walks in your door positively swoon whenever they walk in your door 

It’s not even complicated. You just need 5 things. You ready?

1. a fabulous rug

No matter how horrid the weather outside – rain, snow, sleet – your guests (and likely, you) walk through your front door and straight into your entryway. The LAST thing that makes anyone feel welcome is you hassling them into taking off their shoes lest they dirty up your precious floors!  

Instead, imagine smiling angelically as you say, “Don’t even worry about it, you just come on in – my rug is bulletproof!” as you usher them in. How welcome will that make them feel?

Especially if it’s true and you act like it.

Get yourself an entryway rug that you just don’t worry about.

What? Does such a rug even exist? I hear you asking the question. Why yes, my lovely friend, it does. You have options, in fact.

If you prefer eco friendly options, go for a machine washable rug. These tend to come in standard sizes, so if you have a particularly long or wide entryway, or a large one, one that fits well is going to be harder to find. However, if you do find one that works, simply throw it in the washing machine whenever it needs a cleaning and you’re good to go. Some of these are recycled from tires, or plastic bottles, and aren’t machine washable per se, but you can clean them with a simple rag, dish soap and water. How’s that for genius?

If you have kids at home, a synthetic rug may be more your steam. Look for man made materials like polypropylene or nylon, which are stain resistant, easy to clean, can handle heavy use and won’t break the bank. These rugs come in gorgeous prints as well as monotones, and the technology is so far along that you’d be fooled into thinking they’re silk or wool. Pro tip here: check the thickness of these rugs as the plusher they are, the more high end they seem and the more luxurious they feel. Again, these are easy to clean with just dish soap and water if you find any stains. So they‘re great for spaces with a lot of traffic.

If you need a custom rug for an extra large, uniquely-sized or -shaped entryway, you’ll be glad to know you have a number of fabulous options that cater to both those with modern, bold tastes as well as those who prefer quieter, traditional, transitional, or coastal patterns. There are even possibilities for those who need custom sizes made, or want Easy Care or high end options.

The bottom line here is, with the plethora of choices you have, don’t be a boring old door mat - excuse me, BUY a boring old door mat! :) Instead, make yourself and your guests feel like royalty walking into a world class hotel by placing down a fabulous, plush rug. Just make sure you check the fiber content of whatever rug you decide to purchase. And a good thing to do is to lift your rug regularly and vacuum underneath to make sure you don’t trap any moisture or dirt under the fibers, or damage your floors. Other than that, you’re golden! Let me know in the comments below if you need help with any of these options.

2. Statement lighting

I never tire of saying it, but if you’re going to go bold anywhere, lighting is where it’s at. An incredible chandelier says everything. It commands attention, sets the tone and makes everything around it look elevated instantly.

If your entryway is small, a stunning light fixture mounted in the middle is plenty. If your entryway leads to a longer hallway, then a larger chandelier in the entryway, followed by smaller pendants leading down the hallway, leads the eye into your home and feels inviting and welcoming.

Pro Tip: Make sure the light fixture you choose is appropriately sized for your space, that it won’t hit people on the head as they come through the door (!!), and that it clears your front door as it opens and closes. Let me know in the comments below if you’d like to see more lighting tips and appropriate measurements. Or do you have that covered?

3. a console table

There’s nothing – and I mean, nothing - more useful than a console table in an entryway. The perfect place to set down your keys, car keys, mail and whatever else you might be carrying in your hands when you come in the door. Plus, a console table is a fabulous place to show your style right from the minute your guests walk in the door. It’s also a fabulous overflow space to store anything you need to. Think out of the box here. If you don’t have a great deal of storage space, or a mudroom is not in the cards for you, a console table with cabinets and/or drawers is a lifesaver. Use it to store not-very-often-used items (like spare batteries or serve ware) or even often-used items (like a dog leash or stamps), and you’ll never forget where you put things again!

If you are fortunate to have plenty of storage, or a dedicated mudroom, then do yourself a favor and choose a console table that is open on the bottom. The waterfall style silhouette (where there is a top that flows into two legs, like the hero picture in this blog post) is the most elegant modern design of all. But any non-storage design that leaves the bottom part of the console table free gives the impression of your space being welcoming and open.

4. accessories

And just because your console table is a drop spot, doesn’t mean it has to be a colossal mess. But Tash, I hear you say, how in the world do I go from messy to gorgeous?

Elementary, my dear!

As always, think about how you need your console table to function and then work outward from there. From a functional point of view, we need somewhere to contain a) keys and mail and c) we need to inject some serious style.

So start with a gorgeous bowl or tray to drop keys into. An ornate mail holder could hold the mail or get a beautiful box for the mail if you want it away from prying eyes.

For decor, pick a taller decorative object – a statue, a vase of flowers, a lamp. A lamp really is key - make sure it has a GORGEOUS silhouette, like the one above. If you need more accessories, think about including a scented candle, maybe something with color. Choose interesting objects that grab your attention, but leave yourself plenty of ‘white space’ – plenty of clean, empty table with nothing on it so that the pieces that are there have their place to shine.  

The important thing with accessories is to keep it simple and keep it classy. My rules? Always include a high-low mix. That means mix in items that are higher end with items you bought from the flea market; that will make everything look layered and collected. Always mix in old and new – stuff you’ve owned forever with things you bought yesterday. Always mix the heights of objects you place together. And always – ALWAYS – include things you love.

Voila, you’re all set!

5. wall decor

Above your console table, you’re going to need something vertical to hang on the wall to complete your fabulous vignette. A mirror is a classic, easy no brainer. Everyone wants to check their reflection to make sure they look amazing as they walk out/walk in the door, no? Again, this is where a functional choice is also an aesthetic one!

But don’t just choose any mirror! Choose a frame that has some personality – bone inlay, a thick metal frame with some patina, an ornate old world antiqued frame – anything that commands attention.

Or, if you want to stand out from the crowd - if you’re a ‘I-make-my-own-roads-where-there-are-none-and-I’m-not-afraid-to-stand-out’ like my incredible clients above, opt for something completely different. A piece of art – a painting or sculptural piece – says you don’t do ‘normal’ and belies a quiet confidence. Pick something large, or like I did here, pick one small-but-fabulous thing and then mount many of them to make the ultimate, unique statement.

a little sumthin’ sumthin’ extra…

In an ideal world, we’d all have a fabulous coat closet just off our entryway, to easily store guests’ coats, umbrellas, and the like. But if you’re not that lucky, consider other ways you can make storage a little easier for yourself.

If you have the room, a bench provides a multitude of options and looks stylish to boot. Throw some jackets or place handbags on it while guests visit – and when they leave, it looks perfect.  If you need a space to store your shoes, tuck them into baskets and store them underneath the bench.

Does your entryway have a huge space that backs into a large corner? Here’s a crazy, fabulous idea that I would love to do in someone’s house: hang two swinging egg chairs up and style them with sheepskins and cozy pillows. Use those in the place of a bench. There - free designer advice! You’re welcome! Now, if anyone does that, you MUST send me a picture, got it?

Some other options that add high style are an umbrella holder, a hat and coat rack, some wall hooks and a boot tray. Always consider your functional needs first, but when choosing what to buy, make sure you choose something unique that reflects your personality; something YOU love and that tells YOUR story.

Let me know what fabulous ways you decorate your Entryway. Or better yet, send in your pictures - I’d love to see them! Oh and don’t forget my mantra and you’ll never go wrong:

ALWAYS Tell A Story with your Home.

Love you, mean it!

xxx Tash

Loved reading this and want to turn your home into a space you absolutely adore? Follow @taashkistudios on Instagram and join the Taashki Tribe newsletter below! Write and tell me what you struggle with in your home design and I’ll help you through your design woes!

WANT SOME HELP WITH DESIGNING YOUR DREAM HOME?

Coming home to a space you love is simply magic. The sanctuary that you crave, that feeling of a warm hug enveloping you, that effortless comfort - it’s all there. But creating that magic is anything but easy. It can be overwhelming and time-consuming. It takes vision, and is equal parts planning and art. There are SO many decisions to make, and sometimes, you just don’t want to go at it alone. If you want a partner in this process who can steer you towards options that work best for your life and style; a knowledgeable guide to take you from ‘dream’ to ‘done’ and who can hold your hand every step of the way, our Interior Design Services might be just what you need. Find out more about Tash or Schedule a Discovery Call to learn more about our process. We can’t wait to come on your journey with you!