Putting your best metaphorical foot forward means that making a good first impression is imperative, and nowhere is that more true than in your home’s entry. This space sets the tone for the rest of your home, so it’s important that it not only feels good but looks good too. Striking that balance takes a bit of finesse—there are plenty of ways to elevate your space, but it’s often the little details that make the biggest impact. Below, I share four small designer-loved details that instantly elevate your entryway.
A Skirted Table
Sink skirts have long been a designer favorite, but that doesn’t mean your affinity for frills has to stop there. Whether it’s a console table tucked against a wall or a round table anchoring a grand entry, a skirted table adds elegance with ease. You can elevate the look even more with a patterned fabric, or bring understated elegance with finishing details such as character-lending bullion fringe.
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Thoughtful Millwork
Adding wainscoting or molding is an easy and affordable way to give your entryway a more high-end look. Architectural millwork is great at adding character, but be sure to work with the style of your home for the most natural look. For example, you probably would not want to mix ornate, rococo-inspired French country motifs with a modest cottage or farmhouse. Instead, consider making a statement with color, like designer and Country Design 100 honoree Fran Keenan did in this cottage entry.
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Oversize Art
Small spaces are primed for statement-making, so choose wall decor that does just that. Oversize art can really be anything—vintage signs, framed textiles, antique paintings—the list goes on. Whatever you choose, give it a place of prominence. If you go with a large piece, as decorator and Country Design 100 honoree Heather Chadduck Hillegas did here in her Alabama home, feel free to keep the rest of your choices minimal, leaning into quieter paint colors and slim furniture silhouettes.
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Personality Flooring
And I don’t mean flooring with just any personality—I mean flooring that tells visitors exactly who you are and what you like. Into all things folklectic? Go for a fun stenciled design as designer and Country Design 100 honoree Lilse McKenna did in this Maine cottage. Prefer a more traditional aesthetic? A timeless inlaid wood look is what you need. Are you constantly looking for a way to escape to the English countryside? Try brick in a herringbone pattern or textured stone to mimic an old-fashioned boot room.
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Anna Logan is the Deputy Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
