The entryway is often a much-neglected part of many households. And a small entryway can be even more difficult to create something special with. But it is the room that people see first when they walk in through your front door, and it is also the room that welcomes you home. So it is important to get it right.
If you're stuck for narrow entryway ideas but want to create that perfect warm welcome, look no further. Here at Homesdirect365 we have a guide to the best ideas for a narrow or small entryway that will truly make the most of the space you have.
Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/home-hallway-interior-design-7546558/
Play with lighting
One element that many small or narrow entryways are lacking is an abundance of natural light. This can leave them feeling dark and cramped. While you can't add more natural light into your entryway (at least not without some major renovations!), adding artificial light can be a great way to make the most of a tiny space.
And artificial lighting doesn't have to only add extra light to your entryway, it can also be used to add points of interest and to highlight different focal points. These techniques can help even a small entryway feel full of charm.
Chandelier
Statement chandeliers can be the perfect way of adding a bold focal point to a small entryway. Not only will it add more light to the space but it will also draw people's eyes and make the entryway feel like more of a deliberate choice. If you place the chandelier a little further down the hallway, then it can also help to create the illusion of more length. This can be helpful if you want to make a small space feel bigger.
A classic chandelier like this Tabitha 8-light will add a touch of elegance and class. The crystals will help to reflect the light around your entryway and their sparkle will be sure to dazzle any of your visitors.
Or you could go for a chandelier with more of a modern look. A black, geometric chandelier can give you a bit more of an edge and will also fit with more contemporary interiors.
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/179721841368406260/
Spotlights
Spotlights can be a wonderful addition to small entryways. They can help to bounce light around the length of the hallway and they can also be used to highlight specific areas of interest such as a gallery wall, artwork, or an accent wall.
A ceiling spotlight like this can be perfect for lighting a small entry space because the light will hit every angle of the hallway. This will help to maximise the space that you have and help the area appear larger.
Westbury 3lt Round 3.5W Warm White
On the other hand, wall lights or wall sconces can be perfect for lighting points of interest. While it won't bounce as much light around the entryway, these points of interest can be a clever way of helping a small entryway feel more dynamic.
Harvey Small Wall Light Brushed Gold
Use colour
When it comes to colour choices, there are two directions you can go with for a small entryway. The first is to create a light, neutral colour scheme and the other is to opt for a bold colour scheme.
Light and neutral
With a small or narrow space, you may feel that you are constantly fighting against it feeling dark and cramped. We've covered adding artificial light but using light colours can also be a good way of preventing the space from feeling too dark.
It usually isn't a good idea to go for pure white walls as this can feel stark and flat. Instead, a neutral but light colour palette can help your narrow or small entryway to feel airy and fresh.
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/232920611967614234/
Bright and bold
While light neutral colours can help a space to feel contemporary, they can't add additional light. Sometimes, it can be a better idea to work with what you have by going all in with a bright and bold colour scheme to make a big impression.
This interior design trick won't make it feel like you have more space (nothing you do can change the square footage you are working with) but it will help to make the space that you have more defined which can often be better.
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/194569646385459859/
Use mirrors to your advantage
We've covered using artificial lights to maximise a smaller space, but a simple mirror can also do wonders. This is because mirrors reflect light back into the room which can help it to feel brighter and even bigger.
Large mirrors
When you're using a mirror in a narrow or small entryway, bigger is usually better. A wide, large mirror like this Hamilton vintage mirror will mean that a lot of your wall space will be used to bounce light around the room and it also provides a striking focal point which is ideal for making a good first impression.
Hamilton Vintage Silver Antique Design Wide Wall Mirror
Mirrored wall
You can take this idea a step further by creating a fully mirrored wall. A mirror wall will create a clever optical illusion that can make the space look like it's twice the size. This is because our brains see the room reflected in the mirror as being an extension of the space. For a small entryway, this is a clever way of making it seem larger.
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/295689531790284850/
Don't skimp on the storage
A transition space like an entryway can be an absolute magnet for clutter. It is all too easy for everyone to shrug their coats and shoes off and leave them lying around and it can also become the go-to area to store miscellaneous items. This isn't always too much of an issue when you have a lot of floor space but for a small or narrow entryway, this clutter can take over very easily.
Rather than try to fight against this instinct to use the entryway as a storage area (it would probably be futile anyway!) careful planning with storage can keep it clutter-free.
Storage bench
A storage bench is a perfect example of how to use furniture to make your small entryway a functional space. The entryway is where you will most likely take your shoes off so having a bench to sit on will make life much easier. The extra woven basket storage underneath is ideal for storing other items such as outerwear, shopping bags, pet accessories, scarves, hats, and more.
Discover our full range of benches here.
Benchtop
Pairing your storage bench with a bench top can be an even better idea. This matching set with its natural materials and warm tones will help your entryway feel welcoming and cosy but without feeling cluttered. The bench top functions as a coat rack and it even has a mirror on the top to add some extra light (and to check your appearance on your way out!).
Shoe storage
The bane of any small entryway is the shoes. It can be quite incredible just how much clutter pairs of shoes can create and it can easily make the space feel chaotic and messy. So shoe racks and shoe storage are a must for making the most of a small or narrow space.
This shoe cabinet is a great option. Many shoe storage solutions are short and wide but this cabinet makes the most of vertical space instead, which will lessen its footprint and help to keep more floor space in your entryway. The drawers will hide away the shoes so that they don't make the area cluttered and the light colours will help it to appear brighter.
Walnut and White 3 Drawer Shoe Storage Cabinet
Monk's bench
You can have a bit of fun with your entryway storage. This monk's bench is a quirky and unique piece of furniture that will create a focal point for your entryway while also serving a practical purpose. You can use the seat to put on your shoes and you can use the cabinet to store outerwear, umbrellas, and more. Making the most of a small entryway is all about creating an impact where you can, and this type of furniture will definitely do that!
Wall hooks
A hat and coat rack or stand is an obvious choice for an entryway but if you are working with a small space, they can take up unnecessary room. Opting for wall hooks instead can be a good way of having that storage for coats and hats but using wall space instead of floor space.
These fun bird wall hooks mean that you can add style as well as function and help to add interest to the walls of your entryway to make it truly eye-catching.
Adding some key hooks will also give you a place to store your house keys when you come in through your front entrance. And, again, you can use these to add some extra touches to the design of your entryway.
Don't shy away from patterns
While yes, keeping things simple, light, and neutral can help a narrow entryway feel less cluttered and cramped, interior designers will tell you that patterns can be a powerful tool to make a space feel more cohesive and stylish. Patterns draw the eye, frame the contours of the room, and put a stamp of your personality on the area.
Patterned wallpaper
Patterned wallpaper can be a clever way of helping a small space look bigger. It is best to go for a repeating pattern with a lot of negative space between the motifs rather than one that is very crowded. And it isn't just about making your entryway feel less small. Patterned wallpaper is a chance to display some personality and style. Just because you have a small entryway, it doesn't mean that it can't make a big impact!
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/802133383602527688/
Patterned floor
A patterned floor can work very well for helping your small or narrow entryway feel bigger. Using a striking geometric pattern will draw the eye along the length of the entryway which will help it to feel more expansive. This is especially effective if you continue the pattern into the next room.
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/126382333280080638/
Rug
If you don't want to commit to a fully patterned floor, a rug will have the same effect. Plus the soft material will help to create a warm and welcoming entrance. A long, narrow rug with a bold repeating pattern will elongate your entryway to make it appear bigger.
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/292734044577184487/
Invest in a console table
When it comes to small entryway ideas, console tables are the furniture piece that has been designed exactly for this purpose. It is small and narrow and designed to sit against the wall as additional storage and a place to create a stylish display.
You can use your table to design a striking focal point for your entryway. This will help the space to feel more curated and less cluttered because it will immediately draw the eye. You can place ornaments on top of the table and don't forget that you can also use the space below the table as well as the wall space behind. This is your chance to create the perfect centrepiece for your entryway that will display your style and give your visitors a dramatic first impression of your home from the second they step foot inside.
Add a table lamp
A lamp is the perfect addition to a console table. It will help to illuminate and highlight the display that you have created. This highlighting will help a narrow or small entryway feel less small because it will immediately draw the eye to the display and all of the items that you have there.
Use wall art or a mirror
We've already covered how effective mirrors can be for helping a small entryway feel larger and lighter and they are also the perfect way of tying together your console table display. An oversized mirror on the wall behind the console table will give it the impact that you need.
Instead of a mirror, a piece of wall art can create the same effect but you can also use it as a way of displaying your style, reinforcing your colour palette, and highlighting your design theme.
Just like your wall colour choices, it is often better to go big and bold with your wall art so that it catches the eye.
Bring in a potted plant
There is something truly special about greenery in your living space. Plants can do wonders for making your home feel airy, natural, and comfortable and they will be the perfect addition to your console table. They do, however, require a fair amount of upkeep and can create extra mess to clean up. Using an artificial potted plant like this white orchid will give you that touch of nature without the hassle.
Orchid White with Black Gold Pot
Go classic with a column or pedestal
If you don't have enough room for a full console and you want something just a little bit more interesting than a standard small table, a column or pedestal can be a great option. They are especially useful for small nooks or other places of architectural interest in your entryway because they work well to highlight the area.
A mirrored option like this one will catch your eye and help to bounce more light into the area you are highlighting. A pedestal is just the sort of bold design choice that can elevate a small entryway to something truly special.
Large Mirrored Column Pedestal
Sculpture
You can leave the pedestal as it is or place an interesting vase or potted plant on top. And you can even go all in with the theme and place a sculpture or bust. Something like this fun zebra head will bring a smile to anyone's face when they walk in through your front door. And it will help to make your pedestal or column the focal point of your entryway.
Try a floating shelf
A shelf can be the perfect way of adding extra interest and textures to the walls of your entryway. A small entryway in particular may be lacking in floor space so adding these points of interest to the walls instead can be a good method to help the area feel bigger without compromising on your decor choices. You can use your shelving to display art, photos, plants, ornaments, and more.
A floating shelf will feel modern, clean, and sleek, which is perfect for making the most of a narrow entryway. These types of shelves are naturally interesting to look at because our brains can't figure out how they are attached so they will catch people's attention. And you can have a little fun with their design. These heart shelves will make a lovely wall display for an entryway.
Have fun with your staircase
Many front door entryways will incorporate your stairs and while the staircase will make the space even smaller again, you can use this architecture to your advantage.
Create an under stairs nook
A nook is a cosy little area that is enclosed by walls. Your under stairs naturally creates a nook and you can lean into this by placing a bench and some cushions. You can also use the wall to display artwork or even a little bookcase. Nooks are a fun way to use a space that often becomes a dumping ground and to add an extra function to your entryway.
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/211174975144853/
Make your staircase bold
In the same way that a bold patterned floor or a point of interest at the end of your entryway will help to elongate it, making your staircase bold will have the same effect. And this doesn't have to be an expensive endeavour. Even something as simple as a coloured floor runner will catch the eye and bring people's attention along the stairs.
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/1407443625997889/
Create a gallery wall
Gallery walls are a brilliant way of adding interest and personality to an area without much floor space. Simply choose one wall and create a display of multiple pieces. These can be a mix of family photos, and artwork and they can be in a range of frames in different sizes and designs. In fact, the more eclectic the better. You can truly make your gallery wall a reflection of who you are.
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/211174972254370/
Add some texture
It can be tempting to go as minimalist as possible with a small entryway but, actually, adding some texture and extra materials can be a clever way of giving the space a clearer silhouette and more definition.
Wall panelling
Wall panelling is one of those decor options that work perfectly in a smaller space. The straight clean lines that run the length of the wall help to pull the eye further along the entryway which can help it to appear more elongated. Staying to a relatively neutral colour palette but ensuring that there is some contrast between the wall itself and the panelling will make sure that the space still feels bright.
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/4925880834736435/
Work with your doors
As we have mentioned, small entryways often suffer from a lack of natural light. So it can be a good idea to maximise the amount of light coming in. A simple way of doing this is to install a front door that has glass panelling. That way, when it is sunny outside, you can be sure that your entryway has as much light pouring into it as possible.
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/68737883839/
Door curtain or blind
With a glass panelled door, it can be a great idea to also put in a door curtain. This doesn't have to be something big or cumbersome that will take up too much space in your entryway. You can go with a natural, simple blind that will give you some extra privacy and will add an extra touch to your decor.
Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/314266880255962549/
The bottom line
Your entryway is the first thing that people see when they walk through your front door and it is your first chance to make that all-important first impression. A small or narrow entryway can present specific challenges but they also provide an opportunity to get creative and have some fun with the space that you have.
30 of the Best Small & Narrow Entryway Ideas is republished from homesdirect365
from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2023/04/small-narrow-entryway-ideas/
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