Design Dilemma: Entryway Styling
It’s time for another Design Dilemma! Today, I’ve selected one that we can all related to - the narrow entryway. When it comes to entryways, most people overdo it. They stuff the space full of storage and seating. Oftentimes, you never end up sitting in the entryway and the storage solution becomes less of a solution and more of a catchall place for any and everything that you bring inside of the home.
Here’s a look at our starting place. She wrote in and said, “These wood panels seem impossible to design around in the entryway of my apartment.”
When I look at this space, I immediately notice:
The dark board and batten. We need to brighten up this space.
There’s no storage, but adding floor storage would upset the flow of traffic.
There is a lot of empty wall space to play with. Also, there are existing gold details in the space.
She let me know that this is a rental, so all of my recommendations today are going to be renter friendly and affordable. Let’s get into it!
Goal #1: Brighten Up the Space
To brighten up the space, I want to start with wallpaper. I know, I know, installing it is a pain, but it works wonders for lightening a space without paint or electrical work. These walls are textured, but you CAN wallpaper over textured walls. Just do a patch test first somewhere inconspicuous. Also, if the paint does come off, take the chipped paint to your hardware store and they will color match it. No one will have to know about the hiccup.
I have no idea what this person’s design style is, so I’m going to lean into the traditional style given the board and batten. So, I chose this floral green and tan peel and stick wallpaper by Roommates as they’re a brand I trust.
Isn’t the space immediately brighter?! Again, the design of the wallpaper depends on your style, but as long as white or cream is the primary color, you’ll be good to go.
Now, the next way to tackle brightness is to add a mirror. Mirrors reflect light, which helps a space appear larger, which is part of our goal. Not that small spaces are bad, but we just want to eliminate the “cramped” feeling that often couples an entryway. This mirror is gold because of the gold hardware on the front door. This is a rental, so we don’t want to have to change all of the hardware. Moving forward with gold just makes it easy.
I also want to add a bright colored rug on the floor. You’re probably saying, “Nooooo” or shaking your head while staring at your phone due to how dirty this rug is going to get. That doesn’t have to be the case and no, there will be no shoe covers involved. Opt for an outdoor rug or woven rug. They’re just so much easier to clean so that even when it gets covered in salt, you can give it a quick wipe down. This is a rug from the Chris Loves Julia collection with Loloi.
Look at how much brighter it is!
Goal #2: Storage
Yes, you could add a narrow console. Yes, you could add floating shelves. The former wont accommodate much and the latter can cause a lot of damage to the walls. So, let’s keep it simple. We’re only going to add storage in the form of gold hooks. Now, I haven’t tried these hooks personally yet, but they’re adhesive, so in theory you can remove them at a later point. These give you a place to hang your keys, hats, gloves, and bags - the essentials.
Goal No3: Wall Decor
In an entryway, you can add family photos or art. Both work wonderfully. I want to place the art/photos on the first wall you encounter when you walk in the home. While placing the mirror there might be nice so that you can check yourself out immediately upon exiting the home, you’ll also probably startle yourself a lot and there isn’t enough space to fully check oneself out. So, art is going to sit there instead. I chose a green piece because it plays on the colors in the wallpaper. I’d probably rub n’ buff the frame to be the same gold as everything else.
Also, art presents us with an opportunity to use a picture light, which helps with goal #1. So, we’re adding that too in gold. It’s a rechargeable option, so no hardwiring is necessary. Plus it comes with a remote that you can command strip to the side of the painting or leave on the ledge.
As for decorative accents, stick to groupings of three. Keep the items narrow so that they can fit on the existing ledge. I’m thinking of IKEA vases and wavy candles. Again, it just depends on your style.
Now here’s a look at the before and after of this design dilemma…
BEFORE AND AFTER:
So, what do you think?! Did we accomplish our goals? Let me know down in the comments.
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