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19 Low-Cost, High-Impact Ideas for an Enviable Entry
Allow your home to make a great first impression by borrowing one or two of these affordable hallway design ideas
Looking at gorgeous rooms for so many hours can lead to feeling forlorn about one’s own home – you may worry that it will never look as lovely as the photos online without piles of money. But we’re here to show you how to borrow ideas from any room you see and apply them to your own rooms, for little to no money.
Let’s start with the entrance hall. Whether you call it an entry way, a vestibule, foyer, hallway or the like, this is where the interior of your home typically makes its first impression, so you want it to represent your personal style. Here are some of the most beautiful entrance spaces around, with ideas you can tailor to your own house.
Let’s start with the entrance hall. Whether you call it an entry way, a vestibule, foyer, hallway or the like, this is where the interior of your home typically makes its first impression, so you want it to represent your personal style. Here are some of the most beautiful entrance spaces around, with ideas you can tailor to your own house.
2. Try a dresser
If you have the room, a chest of drawers like this can be a dream for storing things in the hallway, helping to keep everything neat while fitting the scale of the space. In addition to keys, mail and coins, it can hold all that winter gear like gloves and hats, extra dining room linens and fun stuff like playing cards.
If you have the room, a chest of drawers like this can be a dream for storing things in the hallway, helping to keep everything neat while fitting the scale of the space. In addition to keys, mail and coins, it can hold all that winter gear like gloves and hats, extra dining room linens and fun stuff like playing cards.
3. Make a statement with one unique piece
This part from an antique French scale was transformed into a stunning piece of furniture with a simple board across the top. An antique or reclaimed piece like this will show guests your creativity right off the bat.
This part from an antique French scale was transformed into a stunning piece of furniture with a simple board across the top. An antique or reclaimed piece like this will show guests your creativity right off the bat.
4. Bench impressions
If your front entry is the one you use most often, a spot where you can take a seat and take off your shoes is very handy. A bench – even a backless one that can double as a coffee table sometimes – is a great option.
A simple coat rack holding totes, a scarf and a hat adds interest at eye level here.
See more of this Bridgehampton home
If your front entry is the one you use most often, a spot where you can take a seat and take off your shoes is very handy. A bench – even a backless one that can double as a coffee table sometimes – is a great option.
A simple coat rack holding totes, a scarf and a hat adds interest at eye level here.
See more of this Bridgehampton home
5. Pull up a pew
Pews also make good benches for long entry ways. There are many available on sites including Gumtree and eBay nowadays.
Pews also make good benches for long entry ways. There are many available on sites including Gumtree and eBay nowadays.
6. Pair your chairs
Two side dining chairs work well as a bench substitute. I love this entry’s simple appeal.
Two side dining chairs work well as a bench substitute. I love this entry’s simple appeal.
7. Let’s talk pillows
Add style with throw pillows. These are easy to change out seasonally or whenever you get the itch to shake up your colour scheme.
Add style with throw pillows. These are easy to change out seasonally or whenever you get the itch to shake up your colour scheme.
8. Sofas set the mood
Some entries are awkward not-quite-rooms – this often happens after wacky renovations. Filling one with furniture like a normal room would make it look too cluttered, but a console table by itself is not really enough.
This stylish seat is just the trick. Now, most of us don’t have an extra sofa lying around, but it’s something to think about. A funky and inexpensive outdoor chair in wicker or metal could be cleaned up and painted to look great in one of these not-quite-a-room entrance rooms.
Some entries are awkward not-quite-rooms – this often happens after wacky renovations. Filling one with furniture like a normal room would make it look too cluttered, but a console table by itself is not really enough.
This stylish seat is just the trick. Now, most of us don’t have an extra sofa lying around, but it’s something to think about. A funky and inexpensive outdoor chair in wicker or metal could be cleaned up and painted to look great in one of these not-quite-a-room entrance rooms.
9. Don’t feel the need to fill it up
Unless you have a huge gallery-like foyer, entry hall furnishings do not have to be elaborate. One piece of furniture, a light overhead and a few vases give this foyer a spartan, modern farmhouse look.
Unless you have a huge gallery-like foyer, entry hall furnishings do not have to be elaborate. One piece of furniture, a light overhead and a few vases give this foyer a spartan, modern farmhouse look.
10. Have a place to stash things
The key to a successful entry way is to have somewhere to dump the stuff that’s in your hands when you enter, even in a small space. A simple floating console doesn’t take up any floor space, and a large round mirror makes the space seem bigger.
The key to a successful entry way is to have somewhere to dump the stuff that’s in your hands when you enter, even in a small space. A simple floating console doesn’t take up any floor space, and a large round mirror makes the space seem bigger.
11. Outfit a console table
Again, this serves as a place for keys and mail. I love the light provided by the table lamp, the mirror for checking your lipstick before heading out the door, room for a plant or sculptural objects, and the basket underneath, where you can stash anything from scarves to thongs. It’s all tucked nicely and unobtrusively to the side.
More: Designs for Living: Entry ways Set Up to Serve You
Again, this serves as a place for keys and mail. I love the light provided by the table lamp, the mirror for checking your lipstick before heading out the door, room for a plant or sculptural objects, and the basket underneath, where you can stash anything from scarves to thongs. It’s all tucked nicely and unobtrusively to the side.
More: Designs for Living: Entry ways Set Up to Serve You
12. If your entry has high ceilings, try a vertical stack of artwork
It’s easy to create a grouping of artwork from an old atlas, a book with botanical or wildlife plates, or a calendar.
It’s easy to create a grouping of artwork from an old atlas, a book with botanical or wildlife plates, or a calendar.
13. Have a special light
This photo has long been a favourite of mine. Yes, it has fabulous doors and an incredible carved newel, but what determines its style is that fabulous pendant light.
I know this is not one of our usual cheap and easy fixes. However, this is one spot where you should spend a good chunk of time. There are many options – scout a vintage bargain light and give it a spruce-up and rewiring. Hit eBay on a regular basis to see what comes in. Spray paint a tired builder’s-grade lantern a snazzy colour you love. Or repurpose something else into a fab light – perhaps a birdcage or a basket.
This photo has long been a favourite of mine. Yes, it has fabulous doors and an incredible carved newel, but what determines its style is that fabulous pendant light.
I know this is not one of our usual cheap and easy fixes. However, this is one spot where you should spend a good chunk of time. There are many options – scout a vintage bargain light and give it a spruce-up and rewiring. Hit eBay on a regular basis to see what comes in. Spray paint a tired builder’s-grade lantern a snazzy colour you love. Or repurpose something else into a fab light – perhaps a birdcage or a basket.
14. Create a sculptural wall
All right, I’ve never been able to figure out what those things on the wall shown here are. Wood? Sponges? Paper? Please tell me! Whatever they are, they are beautiful, and as Houzz US contributor Charmean Neithart hilariously pointed out, the dog matches.
I digress. The point is, you can hang a collection of many types of things: hats, purses, African baskets…
All right, I’ve never been able to figure out what those things on the wall shown here are. Wood? Sponges? Paper? Please tell me! Whatever they are, they are beautiful, and as Houzz US contributor Charmean Neithart hilariously pointed out, the dog matches.
I digress. The point is, you can hang a collection of many types of things: hats, purses, African baskets…
…or plates.
15. Clean up the coat rack
Ok, this goes against everything I usually feel about functionality, but avoid loading it up with your everyday coats. First impressions, remember? A well-placed hat, umbrella and scarf make a nice vignette here. When you have guests, they’ll admire the look, and you’ll have a place to hang their coats and bags. Stash your own winter coats and other outerwear in a wardrobe or chest.
Ok, this goes against everything I usually feel about functionality, but avoid loading it up with your everyday coats. First impressions, remember? A well-placed hat, umbrella and scarf make a nice vignette here. When you have guests, they’ll admire the look, and you’ll have a place to hang their coats and bags. Stash your own winter coats and other outerwear in a wardrobe or chest.
16. Add a welcoming rug
This is an area that gets a lot of traffic, so an inexpensive outdoor rug can be a good choice. A lot of these rugs stand up to dirt and can literally be hosed down.
Another detail I love in this hallway is the porcelain umbrella stand full of walking canes. You can substitute walking sticks you find on bushwalks for the canes. You may already have a nice cylindrical wastepaper basket around that can fill in as an umbrella stand.
This is an area that gets a lot of traffic, so an inexpensive outdoor rug can be a good choice. A lot of these rugs stand up to dirt and can literally be hosed down.
Another detail I love in this hallway is the porcelain umbrella stand full of walking canes. You can substitute walking sticks you find on bushwalks for the canes. You may already have a nice cylindrical wastepaper basket around that can fill in as an umbrella stand.
17. Add a display table
Console tables come in very narrow sizes to fit tight entry spaces, but if you have a larger space, try a wider table to better fit the available room. Chances are, you may have a drop-leaf table or an extra desk around that you may not have thought to use here before.
Console tables come in very narrow sizes to fit tight entry spaces, but if you have a larger space, try a wider table to better fit the available room. Chances are, you may have a drop-leaf table or an extra desk around that you may not have thought to use here before.
18. Go super-simple
Lots of entrance halls are practically empty and look fantastic. I love the country style of this space, marked by a row of basic coat hooks, a runner and a bench. The schoolhouse light also helps set the tone.
Lots of entrance halls are practically empty and look fantastic. I love the country style of this space, marked by a row of basic coat hooks, a runner and a bench. The schoolhouse light also helps set the tone.
19. Paint the back of the front door with glossy paint
I don’t have an entryway, not even a good spot for an umbrella stand. My front door swings right into my living room.
But I painted my boring door with black glossy paint, and I love the way it stands out now.
Explore this home
I don’t have an entryway, not even a good spot for an umbrella stand. My front door swings right into my living room.
But I painted my boring door with black glossy paint, and I love the way it stands out now.
Explore this home
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
Do you have any suggestions for how to spruce up an entrance hall on the cheap? Please share them with everyone in the comments section below.
MORE IDEABOOKS
Heaven-Sent Entries: 12 Ways to Make Your home More Welcoming
Transform Your Entryway From From Daggy to Dazzling in Just One Week
How to Make Your Hallway Work Its Socks Off
Making an Entrance: 10 Hallways With Heart
Do you have any suggestions for how to spruce up an entrance hall on the cheap? Please share them with everyone in the comments section below.
MORE IDEABOOKS
Heaven-Sent Entries: 12 Ways to Make Your home More Welcoming
Transform Your Entryway From From Daggy to Dazzling in Just One Week
How to Make Your Hallway Work Its Socks Off
Making an Entrance: 10 Hallways With Heart
This family has a business creating furniture from reclaimed wood, much of which comes from pallets (no longer treated with chemicals), and a friend painted the sign for them.