After you open the front door of any house, the entryway immediately sets the decor in the rest of the home. But what do you do when you have a very small entry space? Not to fear! Here we give you seven easy ways to make your small entryway feel twice as big. Each is not only functional but also offers lots of style for any space as well.
Whether you are looking for storage ideas for all your coats and bags or trying to decide on a paint color that will make a space look larger, we’ve got lots of tips and tricks to consider for your petite entry. No matter what constraints you’re working with, you’re sure to find just the right decor mix (gallery wall, anyone?) to create both the look and function you need for your home. Now for those ideas…
Select Furniture That Maximizes Storage
When your space is limited, make sure to select furniture pieces that maximize storage space. For example, choosing a dresser over a console table gives you all the same surface space for decor but with the added bonus of drawers. In a small house, every piece needs to be hardworking, right? Inside the front door of this charming 1800s South Carolina home, an accessorized vignette adds style atop a faux-malachite-inlay dresser with a mirror hung above that helps the space live even larger.
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Create a Makeshift Mudroom
You certainly don’t need a whole separate room to have a mudroom. Instead, create a makeshift one with simply a peg rail. (A hall tree works great too!) In this 700-square-foot Cape Cod cottage, a rustic peg rack provides a handy spot for hats, totes, and jackets, plus there’s plenty of space for art above it.
Choose a Glass and/or Dutch Door
One design element every entryway has is a front door, of course, so why not choose one with glass and/or a Dutch style to open up sight lines and make your petite space feel bigger? Glass also allows in lots of natural light to brighten up your room. In the entry, instead of a traditional 50-50 Dutch door split, designer Alexis Garrett lowered the cut of this blue door to allow even more California sunlight to stream into her charming beach cottage. The door’s lower section is lined with vertical planking, mimicking the room’s vaulted ceilings. Grab-and-go beach hats and towels flank the door to create a mini drop zone.
RELATED: Could There Be Any More Country Charm in This California Beach Cottage?
Lengthen Your Room with a Runner
To lengthen an entry beyond the front door, lay a runner instead of a small area rug or doormat that sits only at the door. Then, further cement the narrow space as an entry with hooks or a peg rack, a small bench, and art, as designer Max Humphrey did here in his Oregon home.
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Utilize Vertical Space
Even when floor space is limited, a wall expands your entryway square footage, so get creative with how to make the most of vertical space. Here, a customized wainscoting and peg system is perfect for hanging boots and hats in this narrow hallway. A full-length door covering and vintage runner add pretty decorative touches.
RELATED: The 60 Best Blue Paint Colors for Every Room in Your Home
Define the Space with a Flooring Design
Limited on space in your entryway? That shouldn’t stop you from making it feel special and welcoming by defining it with its own flooring pattern—whether with wood inlays or a painted design. Here, an eye-catching classic inlay pattern of hardwoods adds a subtle yet distinctive design element to complement the space’s classic white painted walls and door. A large outdoor-inspired lantern adds a strong focal point.
RELATED: 31 Brilliant Painted Floor Ideas That’ll Add Instant Charm
Decorate an Entry Wall
In cottages and smaller homes, an entryway often isn’t an architecturally distinct room, but you can still give it its own design moment by letting it claim a wall of its own. In this 1940s Alabama cottage, a flat wall is filled with character with a cabinet filled with collections of old water hose nozzles and natural discoveries like bird’s nests and antique tortoise shells. Useful hooks, seating, and surfaces offer convenient drop spots for coats and keys.
