simple and practical entry space.
This is an example of a small transitional foyer in Atlanta with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a single front door, a black front door and brown floor.

Modern Entry

LaBonte Construction

Small modern foyer in Milwaukee with green walls, medium hardwood floors, a single front door, a black front door and brown floor.

Grandin Renovation

Square Inch Design

Small traditional mudroom in Cincinnati with white walls, porcelain floors, a single front door, a black front door, grey floor and panelled walls.

Coastal Farm Entryway

True Designs

Inspiration for a small beach style front door in Miami with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a single front door and a black front door.

Modern Farmhouse Remodel

Studio M Kitchen & Bath

This mudroom is perfect for organizing this busy family's shoes, jackets, and more! Don't be fooled by the compact space, this cabinetry provides ample storage.

Mid-Century Beach Bungalow

Suncrest Home Builders

This is an example of a small midcentury front door in Tampa with white walls, brick floors, a single front door, a black front door, multi-coloured floor and wood.

South Hill City Place

Taylor Design

This is an example of a small transitional mudroom in Seattle with white walls, porcelain floors, a single front door, a black front door and grey floor.

Modern Bohemian Remodel

House of Savoy

This oversized mudroom leads directly to the custom built stairs leading to the second floor. It features six enclosed lockers for storage and has additional open storage on both the top and bottom. This room was completed using an area rug to add texture. The adjacent wall features a custom refinished church pew with a bright vivid pop of color to break up the neutrals. Above the seating is a large gallery wall perfect for showcasing all of those family portraits.

Chicago

Belle Maison Interiors LLC

Photo VHT Studios
Design ideas for a small contemporary foyer in Chicago with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a single front door, a black front door and brown floor.

Tudor City Co-op

debrozina

Result of a consult to make the most of a small, pre-war, Art Deco 2 BR apartment. Entry is elevated.
Photo of a small eclectic front door in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a single front door, a black front door and brown floor.

Mooloolaba rebuild

Coastal Style Constructions

Small beach style foyer in Sunshine Coast with white walls, light hardwood floors, a pivot front door, a black front door, vaulted and panelled walls.

Gerrard-Coxwell Whole Home

Carter Fox Design Build

Carter Fox Renovations was hired to do a complete renovation of this semi-detached home in the Gerrard-Coxwell neighbourhood of Toronto. The main floor was completely gutted and transformed - most of the interior walls and ceilings were removed, a large sliding door installed across the back, and a small powder room added. All the electrical and plumbing was updated and new herringbone hardwood installed throughout. Upstairs, the bathroom was expanded by taking space from the adjoining bedroom. We added a second floor laundry and new hardwood throughout. The walls and ceiling were plaster repaired and painted, avoiding the time, expense and excessive creation of landfill involved in a total demolition. The clients had a very clear picture of what they wanted, and the finished space is very liveable and beautifully showcases their style. Photo: Julie Carter

The Stanwood Estate Barn

Cummings Architecture + Interiors

The beautiful, old barn on this Topsfield estate was at risk of being demolished. Before approaching Mathew Cummings, the homeowner had met with several architects about the structure, and they had all told her that it needed to be torn down. Thankfully, for the sake of the barn and the owner, Cummings Architects has a long and distinguished history of preserving some of the oldest timber framed homes and barns in the U.S. Once the homeowner realized that the barn was not only salvageable, but could be transformed into a new living space that was as utilitarian as it was stunning, the design ideas began flowing fast. In the end, the design came together in a way that met all the family’s needs with all the warmth and style you’d expect in such a venerable, old building. On the ground level of this 200-year old structure, a garage offers ample room for three cars, including one loaded up with kids and groceries. Just off the garage is the mudroom – a large but quaint space with an exposed wood ceiling, custom-built seat with period detailing, and a powder room. The vanity in the powder room features a vanity that was built using salvaged wood and reclaimed bluestone sourced right on the property. Original, exposed timbers frame an expansive, two-story family room that leads, through classic French doors, to a new deck adjacent to the large, open backyard. On the second floor, salvaged barn doors lead to the master suite which features a bright bedroom and bath as well as a custom walk-in closet with his and hers areas separated by a black walnut island. In the master bath, hand-beaded boards surround a claw-foot tub, the perfect place to relax after a long day. In addition, the newly restored and renovated barn features a mid-level exercise studio and a children’s playroom that connects to the main house. From a derelict relic that was slated for demolition to a warmly inviting and beautifully utilitarian living space, this barn has undergone an almost magical transformation to become a beautiful addition and asset to this stately home.

Auburn + Grace

Clark + Aldine

Small modern foyer in Detroit with white walls, light hardwood floors, a single front door, a black front door and brown floor.

Entry

Lisa & Leroy

We are always on the lookout for local artists.
Small contemporary foyer in Miami with white walls, porcelain floors, a double front door, a black front door and grey floor.

Sutton Place Classic Six

Lisa Frantz Interiors

Photo by Marco Ricca
This is an example of a small transitional foyer in New York with limestone floors, a single front door and a black front door.

Tundra Homes Model in Cape Coral, FL

Wilson Lighting

Photo of a small transitional front door in Miami with grey walls, ceramic floors, a double front door, a black front door and grey floor.

New Residence, Fairfield

Dwelling Architectural Design

Kelk Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary front door in Dunedin with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a single front door and a black front door.

Melba Place Project

LB Design

Ryan Fung Photography
This is an example of a small transitional foyer in Toronto with beige walls, ceramic floors, a single front door and a black front door.

Квартира

Maxim Maximov

Design ideas for a small contemporary front door in Saint Petersburg with grey walls, laminate floors, a single front door, a black front door and brown floor.

Small Entryway Design Ideas with a Black Front Door

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 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 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.