Although often overlooked, the entrance could be one of the most important spaces in your home. After all, it is the place that welcomes people into your home and, in some cases, it may be the only part that visitors see. You can use intelligent design features to organize yourself, illuminate the space, and make the best first impression possible. Go beyond the welcome mat and make sure your entrance says exactly what you want.
Everything in perfect order
If you're like most homeowners, your entrance may become a bit messy. The best design advice in this case is to make sure everything has a place. Be realistic when planning the entrance: if you tend to leave the mail when you enter the house, make sure it has a place to deposit it. Of course, in a perfect world, your children would hang their backpacks in their room, but a couple of wall hooks in the entrance can keep them off the floor. Even a place to store shoes would mean avoiding tripping over boots or slippers, plus a shoe basket doesn't need to be perfectly organized. Think about how you and your family use the entrance and organize accordingly.
Insert a comfortable seat
One thing that most entrances tend to lack is a place to sit. Of course, you won't invite people to take a chair in the main hall. However, a place to sit offers a comfortable station to slip on shoes or sort mail. In addition, a bench can also serve as an intelligent solution for storing shoes and jackets and reducing clutter. Look for a bench with shelves or one that opens with hinges to make your entrance comfortable and welcoming.
Define the space
If you live in a particularly large and spacious house, defining the space with colors and furniture allows visitors to know where the entrance ends and the rest of the house begins. Stage your entrance with furniture so that there is a clear delineation between it and the rest of your home. A modern wall bookcase or a low table well positioned offers a place to put keys or a bench and a set of lockers show guests where to store their things. Entrance too small for furniture use? Dare with a bold color or even wallpaper, to attract attention.
Play with light reflections
Entrances are notoriously narrow or may suffer from a lack of light. Bring in a little brightness by using wall mirrors to reflect light. It works particularly well if your entrance door has windows. By tilting a mirror directly through the source of light, you can essentially double the natural brightness you have to make your entrance larger and airier.
Now invite your guests
Remember that your entrance should serve as a way to welcome guests into your home. Make sure it gives the right impression and helps them feel comfortable at all times. Offer a defined place to put things so that guests don't end up with coats and bags in their hands. Diffusing essential oils or lighting a candle ensures that your home has an exceptional scent. Always having everything you need, such as phone chargers and umbrellas, means having everything visitors need at hand.
Take a look at your entrance and ask yourself: does it communicate what I want? When you start thinking about your entrance as a personal space (and not just a place to leave your things), you can begin to see how visitors feel when they cross your front door. Focus on comfort and style to ensure that your entrance really makes the desired effect.
