Decorating Your Entry: Home Interior Entry Decorating Tips

When looking over your furnishings that you already have, choose the most dramatic, the most artful, the most spectacular accessories and furnishing for the entry. This will set the tone of the home for all visitors and intrigue them from the moment they arrive. From that standpoint, the entry is one of the most important "rooms" in your home.

The mood, interest and excitement of your home unveils itself at the threshold. A beautiful, inviting entryway, not only peaks a visitor's curiosity, it ushers visitors into your space and hints at the style of the rooms within. Since artwork is so personal and expresses your unique personality and that of your family, it in particular sets the stage for your guests and shapes their first impressions of your home.

That's why it is so important to choose quality art and accessories. Consider placing a single sculptural chair in an entry or hallway where it will stand out. Take advantage of the opportunity to use it as both an art object and a symbol of welcome. Here, a spirited chair by a metal artist casts a strong shadow against a white wall and makes a dramatic visual statement. Other personal touches, including an antique family photograph, a table sculpture that is dramatic and active, and a vase of fresh flowers, complete the artful arrangement.

If you have a narrow entryway or entrance, this is a perfect place for small framed paintings or prints. Combine them with a lamp on a small table or console. The confined space encourages an intimate interaction between the viewer and the art. Small sculptures and objects arranged on a console table in front of a large mirror, which reflects the table objects, can also offer an intriguing introduction to the rhythms of your home. Don't hesitate to change the artwork on display, letting it evolve over time.

In the center of a sweeping, front hall with a high ceiling, you may prefer to highlight a round or oval table. Be sure to select one with generous proportions so that it does not appear dwarfed in the space. Adorn it with a large dazzling blown glass vase filled with flowers that can proportionately stand up to the room's grand scale. Keep the lighting warm and easily adjustable to help those who enter transition from outdoor light to the composed environment within. Consider a large chandelier. For an unforgettable effect, however, welcome dinner guests to an entry illuminated only by candlelight. But make sure the candles are well protected against accidental bumps. Attention to security issues here is a must!

Whatever the size of your entry, do your best to keep it free of clutter and obstructions. It should be organized and inviting at all times. In the absence of closets, provide ample shelving and hooks to store coats, hats, shoes and the like, preferably out of sight. While it is a high-traffic area, it still calls for a delicate balance of function and grace. It must effectively handle the routines of everyday life, such as the daily sorting of mail, the removing of coats and the gathering of keys, purses, school bags and briefcases. But at the same time, it must serve as the pleasing public gathering place of a space that is also a deeply personal haven and welcoming sanctuary for you and your family.

Handy Links to Our Decorating Products