They say first impressions are everything, so if you want to elevate your home, it’s best to start with your entryway. Trends in entryway design have really evolved in recent years according to interior designer Christopher Peacock, “Formal entryways are less and less important it seems, and whilst many homes have the obligatory center hall table and flower arrangement, we see a much greater emphasis being put on practical and informal decoration of the informal areas of the home.”
Whether a home has a simple entryway or designer mudroom, function and aesthetic need to be parallel. “Mudrooms and boot rooms are receiving a lot more attention in new home design, and people are spending far greater sums of money to make these areas beautiful as well as functional,” he says.
Specific storage in entryways for shoes, sports equipment, outerwear, backpacks, and packages have become the standard, Peacock explains. “Space for online shopping deliveries has [also] become a requirement,” he says. “So, the rooms are bigger and require much better flooring, lighting and surface area than before. The $100,000 mudroom is not a surprise anymore!”
Here are some easy ways to refresh and redesign one of the most overlooked rooms in the home.
Add Texture
Refreshing an entryway can be one of the easiest home improvement projects. Interior designer Alexis Rodgers of Home With Alexis suggests that even swapping out your lighting fixture can make a big difference. “If you have recessed lighting or an uninspired flush mount fixture in your entryway, elevate the space with something more fabulous.”
However, if the ceilings are too low to accommodate a hanging light fixture, she says to choose a flush or semi-flush mount instead.
Another design mistake people make with entryways are leaving welcome mats inside. Keep it outside (if you must) and use a stylish area rug indoors. “It’s well worth the pain of having to get the rug cleaned every so often,” she says.
Another option is to float a beautiful antique rug a little bit beyond the front door. “The rug defines and elevates the entryway space, and makes it feel just as important as the adjacent rooms. This translates into a beautiful little moment to experience as you first step foot into the home,” Rodgers explains.
A Few Storage Pieces Can Make All The Difference
Design influencer Paige Rangel collaborated with Wayfair for a weekend refresh of her mudroom. The area off of her garage was large, but being wasted. By adding a shelf, hooks, a bench, and storage baskets, the space can be utilized in an entirely different and far more efficient way. More importantly, it didn’t require a large budget or a great amount of effort.