The Good Design Journal
A Guide To The Perfect Entry
That space just by your front door is your daily provider of a warm welcome or fond farewell. It's a greeting space, a barrier between home and the outside world, a first or final impression. It's a space of many things, and one that deserves due care - here's how you nail it.
Your home has one way of saying hello or goodbye, and it's a space we don't often give enough attention to. Your entryway, be it a big cavernous room, a narrow hallway, or a space not much larger than Harry Potter's cupboard under the stairs, is your home's way of giving you a big ol' hug. Now ask yourself, is that hug warm, cuddly, welcoming, and protective, or is is cold, empty, limp, and a little bit sad? We're hoping the former, but if the latter, do not despair. We've got all the tips you need to get your entry space up to scratch, and welcoming you home like an absolute boss.
Dumping Ground
You'd be fibbing if you said your entry wasn't a bit of a dumping ground. Perhaps 'dumping ground' is a harsh way of phrasing it, but the first flat surface when entering the door usually plays home to junk mail, keys, sunnies, bags etcetera etcetera. And fair enough, it's only convenient to utilise this space as temporary storage - it's there when you need it.
That doesn't mean it needs to be a scattered mess. Trays and bowls provide an excellent storage option for small bits and bobs used on the daily, whilst stackable (and attractive - trust us, they exist) boxes and racks can house larger objects, like bags or shoes. Figure out what you and your family are prone to leaving at the front door, then seek an appropriate storage item to use as said item's new home.
The Getting Ready Chair
The handiest chair in all the land is the one you place within 5 steps of your front door. Unassuming, yet functional in a pinch, the 'Getting Ready Chair' is an entry essential. It's a spot to pop on a pair of shoes or somewhere to wait whilst your significant other promises you they'll be ready in just a minute.
Understandably, not every entry has the room for a magnificent arm chair or an elaborate bench, but that's fine. A simple stool, or slimline dining chair, is all you need. All it needs are legs and a spot for your butt, and you're in business baby!
A Final Check
Your entryway needs a mirror, it's as simple as that. An entry is just asking for trouble. How else are you going to see that ground peppercorn wedged between your front teeth, or the chunk of hair flying off in a random direction? Having a mirror handy and accessible, in a spot right before you leave the home, gives you that final check.
Aside from the convenience, a well placed mirror has the potential to provides two welcomed bonuses. 1. They have that amazing, and well known, ability to open a space up, making it seem larger than it actually is. Most entries need this. Additionally, 2. A mirror can provide an artistic and sculptural statement, particularly if you search for one with an interesting silhouette or a punchy frame.
Welcome To The Jungle
We are, and always will be, huge advocates of bringing greenery into the home. Each and every plant brings so much in the way of sculpture, silhouette, texture, and colour, you could go ahead and classify it as a decor piece. This is exactly what you want in your entry. Nothing says welcome home like a leafy indoor palm, or the whispy whiskers of a cacti. And remember to bring out the very best in your green buddy with a well-researched care routine, and a stylish pot to accompany.
Don't Just Fling It Anywhere
To quote the iconic and immortalised words of Emily Charlton from The Devil Wears Prada, "Now hang that up. Don't just fling it anywhere." And she's correct. Coats, hats, bags, and scarfs are best not dumped randomly, but hung with some degree of care, on a coat hook, stand or rack. The entryway makes the perfect location, particularly from a practical sense as it's the in/out of your home.
Deciding what's best for the space is a matter of personal choice and available real estate. If you've got walls-a-plenty, consider a decorative scattering of hooks. Alternatively, if you're not short of floor space, perhaps a stylish coat rack or rail would be more optimal. Either way, you've got options.
