It’s always nice to have a designated entry space. Even for those among us who prefer to come and go with less to-do, an entryway space serves a functional purpose. It’s somewhere to take off shoes, set keys and hang up a coat. It also imparts the first impression of your home, thereby setting the tone for the rest of your space. Think of your entry as your very own three-dimensional welcome mat: It’s well-traversed, but most people don’t spend much time there. ⁽¹⁾

Entryways can be challenging in terms of design. In fact, I’ve recently, had a few design projects with “entry way challenges.” Specifically, our clients’ front doors opened directly into their living rooms or dining rooms, without a formal entry space.

However, despite the lack of entry space in these existing layouts, we were able to create the feeling of a formal entry in each of these cases. We did so through the innovative use of flooring/rugs, lighting, furniture placement, artwork/mirrors and styling.

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Below are some designer tips for creating the feeling of a formal entry, even when you don’t have one.

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