10 Ways to Make a Small Entryway Feel Grand
10 Ways to Make a Small Entryway Feel Grand
10 Big impact ideas to make your small entryway and staircase feel grand
First impressions are everything, were we all taught that growing up or just me?
Regardless, I think it’s true in multiple areas of life.
For instance the first impression your home gives comes from your entryway. It’s the first space that guests see when entering your home.
The entryway sets the tone for the rest of the home’s interior. It provides the perfect opportunity to showcase your style and personality.
That’s a tall order for one space I know, especially if you have a smaller entryway like we do.
Luckily there are ways to make even small entryways feel grand and welcoming to your guests.
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Entryway with Staircase Makeover
This staircase/entryway makeover is one I have been wanting to tackle ever since we moved in but it got pushed back on the list because other spaces needed to be the priority.
Now that it was finally time to tackle this space I knew I wanted it to be grand and a good representation of the character we are currently trying to add to the rest of our home.
When we bought our home, one of the first things we did was close off a door that was in our entryway. This door led to a small room that we decided to turn into our walk-in closet/laundry room. This space is now accessible from our primary bathroom.
So we have been living with this unfinished drywall for about two years…
This is definitely not a large entryway and the position of the staircase makes the layout a little strange but we made it work for us.
Ways to Elevate and Decorate the Entryway and Staircase
Here are some of the ways we made this small entryway and staircase feel grand, welcoming, and full of character.
The best part is we were able to make all these changes and improvements ourselves which saved us a bunch of money.
1. Incorporating Vertical Elements
The biggest project we tackled in this staircase/entryway makeover was adding tall board and batten to the space.
The vertical design of board and batten draws the eye upwards and makes the space feel larger than it actually is.
We went with a Hickory gel stain to bring a rich character into this space and I am so happy we did.
While this project was a big one, it actually went very smoothly and we figured out an easy, no-math way to find the angle of the staircase board and batten which helped a lot!
Check out the entire board and batten tutorial here!
2. Selecting the Right Color Palette
When selecting a color palette for a small entryway to create a grand atmosphere, I like to focus on light and bright wall colors. Especially when contrasting darker wood elements like board and batten or flooring.
Light colors, such as whites, creams, soft grays, and pastels, have the ability to reflect natural light and make a space feel more open and airy. Bright colors, like pale blues, soft yellows, or light greens, can also contribute to a sense of spaciousness and add a touch of elegance to the entryway.
Painting the walls in a light neutral shade can then serve as a backdrop for other elements in the entryway. You can then add pops of color through accessories, such as throw pillows, rugs, or artwork, to add your personality and style into the space.
Also, incorporating metallic accents, such as gold or silver finishes on light fixtures, mirrors, or hardware, can reflect light and add a touch of glamour to the entryway. These accents create a sense of luxury even in a small space.
This wall color is White Dove by Benjamin Moore, the same color we used in our most recent hallway makeover.
3. Adding Character with Artwork
This hanging art gallery wall was actually the first design decision I made for this staircase makeover.
I love the vintage charm this art and the brass hardware add to the staircase. Plus this artwork draws the eye upwards making the space feel large and grand.
For this gallery wall I chose to have a combination of portraits, landscapes, and floral prints. I purchased all these prints off Amazon for cheap and used this simple method to make them look like real oil paintings.
The hanging brass rail was another budget hack by using an IKEA rail system and some chain I got off Amazon.
Adding art or family photos to your entryway is a great way to add your family’s personality and character to the space.
You can check out the entire hanging gallery wall tutorial here!
4. Choosing the Right Lighting
Choosing the right lighting for your entryway is crucial. Our entryway has surprisingly little natural light…
So I knew we needed to add a chandelier that encompassed not only the vintage glam look I was going for but also gave off a good amount of light.
We went with this beautiful globe style chandelier that was definitely the big splurge item for this makeover. I have absolutely no regrets though because it makes such a big impact on our entryway!
I will say installing this light was the scariest part of this project due to its height. If we ever had to do it again I would hire an electrician to make the swap or rent scaffolding.
To complement this gorgeous globe light I added this vintage inspired flush mount light to the staircase landing. I wanted something that matched the style of the space but that didn’t take away from the main chandelier. This light checked off all of those boxes and was much less scary to install.
Here are some more beautiful entryway chandelier finds that I love!
5. Updating Staircase Balusters
This tip and the next one really only apply if your staircase is in your entryway but they made such a huge impact that I needed to include them.
The original staircase balusters were just plain square wooden balusters that closed off the staircase. We swapped them out for these iron balusters and that completely opened up the staircase and made it feel grand.
We went with a mix of straight and curved balusters to add interest and the entire install took us less than a day to complete!
I highly recommend this update if you are wanting to easily change the entire look of your staircase.
You can find the complete staircase baluster tutorial here!
6. Adding Texture with Rugs
Whether you have a staircase or not, adding texture to your entryway with a rug is always a good idea!
We decided to DIY this stair runner rug install to not only add texture and color to the space but it also made the stairs creaking a lot quieter. This is a huge bonus when you are trying to sneak out of a sleeping toddlers room undetected.
I also incorporated a brass element with these stair runner rods. They help keep the rug in place but also add a vintage design element that I love.
I was able to complete this runner project by myself in about 3 hours, which has to be a new record for me!
Whether you are adding a rug to the stairs in your entryway or a regular rug runner by the door, it’s an easy way to add texture and also color to the space.
Find the complete staircase rug runner tutorial here!
7. Updating the Entryway Hardware
The first thing guests actually see in your entryway is your front door and its hardware.
We swapped our plain black hardware for this antique style door hardware from Nostalgic Warehouse and wow I am in love! The ornate details on this hardware are absolutely stunning and the quality is unmatched. I also used Nostalgic Warehouse hardware on all our kitchen cabinets and drawers.
Originally I had planned on painting the door using a faux wood technique I used on our backdoor but after the board and batten went in I decided I liked the black doors contrast.
So swapping the hardware instead was a quick and easy way to update our front door.
I also swapped the outlets and switch plates to matching matte black plates. This just created a cohesive look throughout the entryway instead of the mismatched situation we had going on before.
Updating the hardware is a really beginner-friendly DIY way to update the appearance of your front door and create a cohesive flow for the metal finishes you have throughout your entryway.
8. Choosing the Right Furniture
Choosing the right furniture for your entryway is very important, especially if you have a small entryway.
You want the entryway furniture to be functional for your needs and also add to the design elements of your space.
We chose this small entryway table we inherited from Adam’s great grandmother for the spot that is directly to the left when you walk into our home. It holds keys and other necessities in the drawers plus the lamp works well as a nightlight.
In front of the staircase I went with this black, tall entryway table I purchased from Walmart. It is the perfect size for this space and I love the fluted detail on the drawers.
You can check out my 7 tips for decorating an entryway table here!
The other pieces we chose are this antique umbrella holder I found at the thrift store and this wicker basket that will be perfect for storing our cold weather essentials like hats and gloves.
I am still on the hunt for a wood or metal coat rack but I haven’t found the right one yet…
9. Spatial Division
Okay this tip might seem odd but it’s important to emphasize the role of the entryway in defining separate zones within the living space.
By creating a distinct entry area, you can create a better flow throughout the home.
One way we tried to define the space of our open concept entryway is by adding this simple header to the opening leading to the dining room.
This created a more distinct entryway and the wood framing also elevated the look of the large opening.
Another way to create spatial division is using a different flooring material or pattern in the entryway compared to the rest of the living space. This can visually separate the area and signal a change in function.
Also simply placing an area rug in the entryway can help define the space.
Check out the complete cased opening trim tutorial here!
10. Keep it Simple
You may be thinking that I just told you a bunch of things that you can add to your entryway so how in the world can it also be simple.
When I say keep it simple I mean let your home’s architecture shine. The tips above are all ways to enhance your home’s architecture with wood trim work, updating the staircase, accentuating openings.
Once you have those updates in place you can let the entryway’s design be the star.
You don’t need a ton of bulky furniture or overwhelming decor. Keep the entryway clutter free and your home’s first impression will follow suit.
10 Ways to Make a Small Entryway Feel Grand
It feels so good to have this entryway and staircase makeover complete!
I also really love not seeing that giant piece of unfinished drywall staring at me…
This entryway and staircase turned out to be the perfect mix of warm character and elegance that I was hoping for.
We were able to complete this makeover in about two months total and it would have been done even sooner except some of the wood was back ordered.
I have too many favorite parts in this makeover but the part that I really love the most is that it feels like us. I made some risky and probably unpopular design choices like staining the board and batten but my heart loves it so it was the perfect choice for us.
That’s really the key to designing the perfect entryway, making sure that it reflects the style of the home and the people who live there.
Let me know what you think of this entryway/staircase makeover and which part is your favorite.
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