Set the right tone for your house right off the bat by creating an entryway that caters to function but speaks to style
By Charmean Neithart: Houzz Contributor
You get only one chance to make a first impression. That old saying applies to houses as well as people. It doesn't matter if your house is big or small; the entry can set the tone for the full house experience. I may be guilty of being too emotional about houses, but I love the way a house can evoke a feeling. Decorating is my preferred vehicle of expression; much like music or literature, thoughtful design can create a mood.So picture your entry as the first few notes of a great song or the opening line of a poem. Ensure that it makes a good first impression. Make a statement that will entice guests to look further or will welcome loved ones home. Here's how to say, "Come on in and make yourself at home."
Casual is good. Make your
house urge guests to come on in and hang their hats. Put them at ease by
creating an informal vignette of well-used furniture and a place to
hang items like a hat or sweater. This wooden bench with its scratches
and patina adds character while creating a sculptural base for a row of
hooks.
Traditional still really works.
Just plain old simple and pretty may be all you need. The caned bench
is at the center of the symmetrical vignette shown here — pretty enough
to look at, but not too fussy to sit on. Consider hanging a grouping of
prints in a pyramid formation to draw the eye up.
Utility can be nice to look at.
If activity is your thing, and your day is about getting to the next
thing on time, then just create mission control in the entry. Add
color with a bright color, throw down a great rug that can take lots of
traffic and include all the things that will allow you to exit the
house with ease.
Yes, we're all so vain. Hang
a mirror right in the entry so you can do a last-minute hair check as
you run out the door. If you have a small entry, the reflection from the
mirror will help expand the area and add the impression of more light.
Define the space. Does your
entry open onto a large room? Create an entry area with bookcases,
cabinets or a screen. Open shelves can be used for accessories, keys or
family photos.
Splurge on a living flower arrangement.
Potted orchids or other flowering plants can be pricey, but they last
longer than cut flowers. Some orchids if watered properly can last two
months or more. They can really make a welcoming statement with color
and scale.
Three perfect pieces. My
favorite entry trio is a fabulous rug, a perfectly scaled console and
great lighting. I suggest getting the best rug you can afford for your
entry, because nothing warms up a home like a rug. Go bold with lighting
and take advantage of three-way lightbulbs for light control during
the day and evening.
Display a collection.
Notice the pottery collection front and center on the console. What
better way to make a statement than to show guests an area of special
interest?
Try this trick for narrow spaces. If
you have a narrow entry, consider a wall-mounted piece of furniture.
This shelf is just chunky enough to anchor a mirror and provide a
display area. Adding textured split-face material on one side is a great
way to trick the eye into seeing a larger space than really exists.
Make a color statement.
Bold color in small doses can be fun and shocking in an entry. Although
I'm not big on color matching, I do think it makes perfect sense here.
Find a great rug and create your palette from there; it's much easier
than the other way around.
Place a table right in the middle.
This works with all sorts of tables — round, rectangle or square. The
entry is a great place for an antique table that's too precious to use
every day for meals but perfect for a plant or flower arrangement.
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