Your entryway sets the tone for the rest of your home. It’s also the area that welcomes you home after a long day at work. If it’s a relatively small space, it can be tricky to decorate it without going overboard and making it cluttered.
You want it to be warm and inviting, but it’s always a bonus if you can also get it to appear slightly bigger. With the right touches and these small entryway decor ideas, you can create a big first impression without sacrificing or overwhelming the space.
1. Area Rug or Runner
An area rug or long runner is one of the simplest ways to make a small entryway feel warm and cozy. Rugs elongate the space, making it appear a lot larger than it actually is. It’s one of those small entryway decor ideas that makes the space feel more intentional and not like an awkward corner.
Stripes can lengthen the hallway and bold patterns add personality, but the design you should choose depends on your home’s style. It’s more practical to get a rug that can be washed because entryways collect all of the dirt from outside. You can go for neutral colors for a calming vibe, or use darker tones to hide the stains.
2. Mirrors
Mirrors and entryways just go together. It’s an interior decorator’s best friend when working with tight spaces. Place a beautiful oversized mirror in your entryway to bounce light around and create the illusion of depth. It also doubles as a way to quickly check your outfit or hair before heading out.
Alternatively, you can get the same effect and add character with a collection of small mirrors. In terms of style, circular mirrors bring a soft vibe, while vintage framed mirrors have a rustic and timeless appeal. If you want your entryway to get maximum natural light, hang the mirror opposite a window.
3. Multifunctional Furniture
In a small entryway, every piece of furniture should have a purpose. Otherwise, it’s just stealing space. Opt for furniture pieces that look like decor and have multiple purposes, and your space will be practical and organized. Get a slim bench with hidden storage that allows you to sit down to put on your shoes, while secretly tucking away season items like scarves and umbrellas. Or, get a hall tree that has seating, hooks, and storage all in one unit. Anything that has the benefit of added storage in addition to a practical use and a sleek look goes.
4. Floating Shelves
If you want to display some personal items or gorgeous decor pieces where you know people will notice them, do it in the entryway. But if you’re short on floor space, it could be an issue. Floating shelves to the rescue! Mount a set of two or three shelves to the wall to hold baskets for mail and decorative accents like candles and photos.
You can also mount them low to use them as shoe racks, or mount them extra high to add hooks underneath for coats and keys. Floating shelves are great small entryway decor ideas that allow you to decorate vertically instead of cluttering the floor.
5. Bold Wallpaper
Wallpaper can transform any space, from a basement to an entryway. Feel free to add bold prints to your walls to add drama and character. If you think that’ll be too much, use wallpaper on one wall to create a focal point. Choose your design according to your home’s style; shiplap designs for farmhouse, florals for bohemian, geometric for modern, etc.
This is an affordable, renter-friendly option that’s easy to swap out for a fresh look. The key is to keep the eyes on the wallpaper, so keep other decor minimal and let it shine.
6. Statement Lighting
You can make just as big a statement with lighting as you can with flashy wallpaper. Instead of letting a simple bulb fade into the rest of the ceiling, opt for a mini chandelier or an industrial-style pendant. You could even attach a sleek lantern fixture to the ceiling to draw the eye upward. This makes the entryway appear slightly larger by giving the illusion of height. If overhead lighting isn’t an option, go for fancy wall sconces or a nice floor lamp that doesn’t take up much space.
7. Gallery Wall
Gallery walls don’t take up any floor space, but they can have a big impact on a small entryway. Mix different frames for an eclectic yet cohesive look and display photos, inspirational quotes, or artwork in them. The higher you place the frames, the more it draws attention upward and away from the limited floor space. It makes the entryway feel styled rather than cramped and adds a personal touch to your decor. You could even add an empty frame with a couple of hooks in the mix to let your keys blend in.
8. Greenery
No space is complete without a touch of greenery. Whether it’s the tiniest cactus in a tiny pot or a tall fiddle-leaf fig in a statement pot, it purifies the air and ties a space together. If you don’t have a lot of floor space to work with, hang a wreath on the door or mount some succulent pots to the walls.
Then again, if you’d like to fill the space you’ve got with as much greenery as you possibly can, go for it. Even faux greenery or trailing plants can make a big difference.
9. Ladder Shelf
Ladder shelves are both functional and decorative. Thus, it’s the perfect addition to your list of small entryway decor ideas. These shelves are slim and they take up minimal space, yet they provide multiple levels of storage. Place wicker baskets on each level to hold keys and mail, or strategically place some decorative vases and seasonal accents.
The design of a ladder shelf keeps the entryway of your home feeling airy, unlike bulky shelves. Change the decor on your shelves throughout the year by adding pumpkins in fall, flesh florals in spring, ghosts in October, and reindeer in December.
10. Pegboard Organizer or Chalkboard
Your entryway doesn’t have to be purely decorative. In fact, it would be great if you could pull off something to make it functional as well. A pegboard or chalkboard accomplishes this without much thought or effort.
Hang a pegboard on the wall and customize it with hooks, shelves, and baskets to hold your everyday entryway items like bags and wallets. Mount a chalkboard or paint your own with chalkboard paint to create a family planning station for reminders and to-do lists. You could even incorporate both into a stylish design.
11. Folding Shelf Sign
Once again, multifunctional pieces take the crown when it comes to small entryway decor ideas. Mount a “Welcome” or “Home Sweet Home” sign to your wall that folds down into a small shelf when needed. You can use this tiny yet effective space to set down your keys and wallet as you enter your home, or if you need to grab something else before you leave. When guests come over, you can bid them a warm welcome before opening your mouth, and when they leave you’ve got a helpful ledge to keep the bits and bobs.
Jamie is the Founder of My Home Dwelling. He is a homeowner and enjoys sharing his homeowner tips with others. He has real estate experience working as a new home construction Realtor. Jamie has worked on numerous residential construction sites helping with interior and exterior renovations. He loves refinishing furniture, DIY home projects, and sharing his knowledge online.