Guest Friendly Entryway
In this step-by-step tutorial, I’m showing you how to transform a small entryway into a functional and beautiful space that welcomes guests into your home.
Determine how much space you have to work with.
What is your goal?
Measure your space.
Create a budget.
Add a fresh new rug.
Add a narrow vertical coat rack.
Add a wooden bench along the staircase wall.
Add wall art or decor.
the before
Determine how much space you have to work with
Our two-story home doesn’t have a large entryway or a foyer.
When you walk into our home, you are immediately greeted with a staircase taking you upstairs to the second floor.
There isn’t enough space to put a bench there because the door swings inside so I had to get a little creative.
My available space is:
the wall behind the front door (when it swings open)
the 3 feet of floor space before the stairs begin
the wall along the staircase
a few feet before the couch begins (along the front window)
What is your available space?
Do you have floor space, wall space, or a little bit of both? Write down your starting point to help guide you in creating a welcoming entryway.
2. What is your goal?
My goal was to make the entryway functional and beautiful for guests.
THE PROBLEM:
When guests would come over to our new home, there isn’t a coat closet available for them to hang up their coats.
There isn’t a place that they could sit quickly to take off their shoes or set down their purse.
MY GOAL:
I wanted to use the few square feet that we have in the entrance of our home to make it easy and welcoming to our guests.
I wanted anyone coming to our house to be greeted and not fumble with their coats, purses, or shoes.
3. measure the entire space
Before buying anything to go into the space, be sure to measure how much space you have to work with.
For example, I measured:
how much wall space I had behind the door
how much floor space before the stairs began
how much wall space I had along the staircase
4. Create a budget
If you live with someone or share finances with a partner, be sure to include them in the decisions.
Budget Breakdown: Approximately $250
Rug $30
Coat Rack $50
Bench $120
Wall Art $50
Here’s how it actually broke down:
Rug $30 at Target
Coat Rack $30 at Big Lots
Bench $90 at Hobby Lobby
Wall Art $20 at At Home
Total Spent $170
5. Add a fresh new rug
TIP: What mood do you want the space to feel like? Calm? Energetic? Cozy? Dramatic? Monochromatic?
I chose this rug (from Target) with a beige black geometric pattern.
The neutral beige color compliments the dark brown floors and the black stripes and lines will help hide some of the dirt from shoes.
6. Add a small vertical coat rack
Add a coat rack close to the front door if you don't have a coat closet.
Secret: My husband found this matte black coat rack at Big Lots years ago. It has broken three times but we just tape it back together with electrical tape. One day we will invest in a new coat rack but not until it breaks another time.
7. Add a wooden bench along the staircase wall
A wooden bench has many useful purposes! Your family and guests can sit down to put on or take off your shoes. You can place bags or your purse there.
In reality, it’s a counter surface and it will likely become a holding spot for items that need to go upstairs.
TIP: Add some neutral or colorful pillows to the bench to make it more welcoming and cozy.
8. Add wall art or decor
Add wall art or decor to soften the walls and create a cozy mood.