25 Small Entryway Ideas That Are Equal Parts Pretty and Practical
Make the most of minimal square footage with these creative decorating tips and storage solutions.
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If each day your entryway setup is looking more and more like a chaotic dumping ground for shoes, mail and keys, it's time to give the space a bit of love. Note that just because your entryway is small in size doesn't mean you can't turn it into an area that's both pretty and practical. There are many ways to add life and color to your entryway while also integrating valuable storage solutions that will greatly improve your day-to-day routine, and these small entryway ideas are sure to inspire you.
The entryways featured below feature a mix of traditional furnishings and accessories, like console tables and hooks, as well as innovative approaches (think: clever under-the-stairs storage). There's truly an idea for everyone, whether you're looking to keep your space classic or go a bit off the beaten path. Minimalists will love the pared-down looks we've rounded up, which prove entryways do not have to be cluttered and overwhelming. On the other hand, those looking to go bold with color and pattern will enjoy including an eye-catching accent wall, graphic fabric, framed artwork and much more.
Your entryway is the first space guests will see as they set foot into your home, so don't skimp on its design. A little bit of thoughtful planning will take what is perhaps a neglected part of the house and transform it into a spot that brings you joy every time you walk through the front door.
Conceal Shoes With a Skirt
Conceal shoes that always seem to pile up in the entryway by opting for a skirted table like this one. It looks elegant while serving a critical purpose at the same time.
Make It Cozy
Your entryway should make you and your visitors feel welcome at home, so don't be afraid to cozy it up a bit with colorful pillows and a rug. Slide a storage basket under the entryway bench or table to keep odds and ends at bay.
Arrange a Gallery Wall
You may be surprised at how large of a gallery wall you can hang in a small entryway. Here, a collection of 15 different frames featuring pressed leaves and flowers add life and color to this home.
Get Hook Happy
There's no such thing as too many hooks in a small entryway — each inch of space is extra precious. They will keep everyone's bags, scarves, hats, jackets and more organized and within sight.
Cater to Kids and Adults Alike
This entry from Laura Gummerman of A Beautiful Mess is both kid- and adult-friendly. A play kitchen immediately welcomes little ones, while shelves hanging above it are accessible for grown-ups who need to put away their own belongings.
Say Goodbye to Clutter
Keep clutter to a minimum in the entryway by replicating this setup from blogger Giustina at Domestically Blissful. A pair of wire bins make it easy to tuck away mail to sort through later immediately upon arriving home. You can also fill them with letters you need to bring to the post office or permission slips to drop off at school.
Take a Family-Friendly Approach
A cubby system with hooks is a perfect solution for a busy household. Assign each family member their own cabinet and hook, and mornings may just feel a little bit more orderly.
DIY a Wood Slat Wall
Design your own wood slat wall to take your entryway storage system to the next level. There's no reason you can't have a bit of fun with color, after all — bring on the rainbow-hued storage bins while you're at it.
Show Off a Potted Plant
If you'd prefer to skip out on an entryway table to save space, consider still dressing up the area with the help of a potted plant. Real or faux, it will add character to your home in an instant.
RELATED: 22 Best Indoor Plants for Any Room
Tuck Away Ottomans
If you're eager to keep extra seating on hand to use when entertaining, slide two ottomans underneath your entryway table as Jessica Geller and Virginia Toledo of Toledo Geller did in this house. When you have guests over, these lightweight pieces are easy to pick up and bring into the living room, but on a day-to-day basis, they'll add color and texture to the entrance of your home.
Choose a Simple Bench
A small bench makes for a practical entryway table as it can serve as a useful surface but also provides you with a spot to take your shoes on and off. Make like Evgenia Merson of Evgenia Merson Design and hang a mirror above it to quickly check your reflection before heading out the door.
Go Narrow
Do you feel like your entryway is too narrow for a console table? Think again. There are some extra-thin options on the market that will provide useful storage without appearing too clunky or cumbersome, as this space by Lisa Tornello of Millroad Studio proves. If your console table is too narrow to house a lamp, simply install a sconce above it.
Use the Space Under the Stairs
Maybe your entryway is extremely tiny and the only space you can really work with is the area underneath the stairs. Note that it's definitely possible to make the most of this space with the help of some creatively placed cubbies. Jihan Spearman of Jihan Spearman Spaces designed a functional setup that is also nicely styled.
Say Yes to Wall Hooks
Don't let the wall opposite your console table go to waste. If you can, draw inspiration from IDCO Studio's Anastasia Casey and add some hooks there to easily hang up everyday purses, hats and jackets so that they don't ever end up tossed haphazardly on the floor.
Include a Green Friend
Bring life and color into your entryway by placing a potted plant beside your console table, as the team behind Cedar & Oak did here. Its leaves will add welcome texture and dimension to this area of the home, too.
Keep It Minimal
Minimalists, take note from this entryway by designer Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors. Keep accents and decor to a minimum by displaying just a few essentials and then bringing in some covered storage, like this woven bin, to keep everything else tucked away yet out of sight. A lidded basket like this one can easily hold things like sandals, winter gear and more.
Brighten Up the Entryway
Double up on table lamps to bring some extra brightness to an entryway. Shelby Van Daley, the interior designer behind Daley Home, did just that in this small space, and the symmetrical look couldn't appear more chic.
Repurpose Furniture From Another Room
If you're designing a small entryway from scratch, there's no need to purchase all brand new pieces. You may be able to repurpose furniture that has been waiting patiently for its chance to shine. Don't be afraid to turn a petite dresser or chest into an entryway table, as designer Shannon Eddings did in this home.
Give a Nightstand New Life
Even a piece as small as a bedside table can be transformed into an entryway table if styled correctly. Take a cue from this setup that's simple yet artful.
Choose a Piece With Drawers
Bowls and vessels always come in handy for housing small items such as keys and sunglasses. However, drawers are also useful if you're looking to tuck away important papers, mail and more, making a rattan console like this one — which Shannon Eddings incorporated into one of her design projects — a winning piece of furniture.
Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelancer who produces interior design, travel and lifestyle content. Her work is featured in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, The Washington Post and The New York Times. Plus, her personal spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz and more.
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