Inspiration for a midcentury entry hall in Burlington with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a single front door and a medium wood front door.

Windermere Waterfront

Joie Gowan | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Photo of a large midcentury foyer in Seattle with slate floors, a double front door, a red front door, black floor and white walls.

Rosenwald House

Flavin Architects

This remodel of a mid century gem is located in the town of Lincoln, MA, a hot bed of modernist homes inspired by Walter Gropius’ own house built nearby in the 1940s. Flavin Architects updated the design by opening up the kitchen and living room. Spectacular exposed beams were lightened with a light grey stain and the floor was finished in a dark grey cerused oak stain. The low pitched roofs, open floor plan, and large windows openings connect the house to nature to make the most of its rural setting. Photo by: Nat Rae Photography

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Nelson Cigar Pendant Light in Entry of Palo Alto home reconstruction and additio

Bill Fry Construction - Wm. H. Fry Const. Co.

The Nelson Cigar Pendant Light in Entry of Palo Alto home reconstruction and addition gives a mid-century feel to what was originally a ranch home. Beyond the entry with a skylight is the great room with a vaulted ceiling which opens to the backyard.

Ranch Lite

Hufft

Ranch Lite is the second iteration of Hufft Projects’ renovation of a mid-century Ranch style house. Much like its predecessor, Modern with Ranch, Ranch Lite makes strong moves to open up and liberate a once compartmentalized interior. The clients had an interest in central space in the home where all the functions could intermix. This was accomplished by demolishing the walls which created the once formal family room, living room, and kitchen. The result is an expansive and colorful interior. As a focal point, a continuous band of custom casework anchors the center of the space. It serves to function as a bar, it houses kitchen cabinets, various storage needs and contains the living space’s entertainment center.

Brooktree / Los Angeles Mid-Century Modern

BiLDEN

A pool of light from the oculus tracks the movement of the sun across the sky. / photo: Karyn R Millet
Midcentury front door in Los Angeles.

Trails End exterior

Merzbau Design Collective

This is an example of a midcentury entryway in Austin with a single front door and a medium wood front door.

Midcentury Entryway Design Ideas

Make coming home a pleasure by making sure your entryway – also known as a foyer or vestibule – is the perfect transition from the public world to the private world. Your choice of front door, the organisation and general flow of the entryway should be practical and reflect the style of your home. Your entryway, foyer or vestibule is the first impression guests will have of your midcentury home. Does it reflect you and your household? Here are a few ways to make your entryway better - and if all else fails, there's always hiring an interior designer to help.

How can you make your front door stand out?

Front doors can make or break a home’s appeal. An outdated or ill-fitting front door will imply what lies beyond is just as overdue for a makeover. No one wants a front door that stands out for all the wrong reasons, so choose one that suits the style of your home. Aluminium doors, for example, are more suited to contemporary-style homes, whereas ornate timber doors suit period homes. That doesn’t mean you can’t inject some of your own personality, though. While the architectural style should remain the same, you can shake things up with paint colours and quirky door handles. If you’re planning a new home, play around with the size and shape of your entrance door, too, and if you want to include a screen door, look for one that architecturally complements the existing front door.

How can you create an organised entryway or foyer?

An organised midcentury foyer requires smart storage solutions – otherwise it’s at risk of becoming a dumping zone. Think about what you do when you first walk into your home. Most people will put their keys down, store a bag or coat, then take their shoes off. If this sounds like you, and your entryway is relatively sizeable, consider including some built-in joinery or a slimline console or hall table. Otherwise, hooks for keys, a coat stand and shoe rack will suffice. If you have a large family, allocate one drawer or shelf to each member of the clan. And finally, don’t overcrowd this area with belongings that can’t be stored in a bedroom. When guests arrive, you want to be able to offer them somewhere to put down their belongings.

Could a dirt room save your floors and entry?

Having a mudroom isn’t commonplace in Australia and New Zealand, but it is becoming increasingly popular as a means to keep mess at bay. In coastal areas, it is sometimes referred to as a sand room, while in rural areas, it can be known as a dirt room. A mudroom is usually a secondary entrance or located at the back entrance, and is ideal for storing shoes, school backpacks, sports equipment and pet essentials. You don’t have to dedicate an entire room to a mudroom. A narrow hall or partial wall will do the trick just fine – just add built-ins, some cubbies for individual family members and a bench. If you have a laundry that has direct access to the outdoors, it’s an ideal opportunity to convert it into a multi-purpose space. Combining a laundry and mudroom is a logical and effective use of space. If there’s no room inside, take a look outside. If you have a verandah, cordon off an area for the likes of dirty soccer boots and surfboards.