First impressions and how to make them count

The first impression of your home starts in 2 places: the facade of the house, and its entryway. Stepping through the threshold of a home should be one of the first steps to how a person feels and the impression they get from the occupants who dwell there. If you are feeling a bit lost on how to style your entryway, we have put together a simple guide on how to achieve exactly what you want from your front entry and how to create a space that will spark that “home sweet home” feeling.

Finding and defining your style

This is a common starting point for every element of the home, and your entry is no different. It is the start of the journey through your home and therefore, the theme of your home should start at the beginning. Are you a fan of the contemporary, or maybe you prefer something more traditional? Are you more of a minimalist? Would you like a big open airy space or something cozier and warmer? This starting decision is the foundation you can build upon to create the perfect space.

Focal points

Generally, when you enter a home, there is a main point your eye is drawn to immediately. Will it be a sprawling hallway down to an open living space or a view of a backyard? Or would you prefer to see a beautiful piece of furniture like a chair, or hallway table, maybe a mirror or piece of artwork that makes you smile as soon as you open the door?  Whatever it may be, make sure it invokes the feeling you would like to feel after coming home from a long day at work.

Lighting the dark

One of the most important things to consider in any space is its lighting. In terms of functionality, lighting is required in order to see a space and make it work. But it can also be aesthetic and add to the mood of a space. Would you like the focal point of the space to be a beautiful pendant or would you prefer not to take away from the art on the wall, and opt for simple LED lights? You may even want to consider some wall lights to create an elegant ambience. Maybe a combination of a few so you can have a choice in the vibe of the space at any time? Safety is also critical, and lighting will help with this. A security light with a sensor is a good option, and having your light switches in an easily accessible spot right by the door so you don’t have to walk into a dark house to turn on lights.

Pops of personality

Have you ever walked into a friend’s house and had an immediate feeling that this was their home? Personality can be added into spaces in a variety of ways, such as colour, pattern, texture, and life. Running on from the style of the home, what colours do you love or have picked in other spaces? If you have pops of blue in your living spaces, maybe a hint of blue in the entry would serve well to keep the consistency running through the house.  Feature walls, art, furniture, and decorations can all add that personality and life to a space. Are you a plant person? If so, a beautiful indoor plant to add some greenery and movement to the entry would be perfect. If you want to make the space feel a bit more cushiony and soft, add a nice rug to the floor or beautiful flowing curtains if you have windows in the space.  If you have a great love of family and friends, try hanging up some beautiful photos and memories of your loved ones so it’s the first thing you see when you walk through the door.

Storage solutions

There is nothing worse than coming home from a long day and immediately seeing a mess. Incorporating practical storage solutions into your entryway is a great way to combat the daily mess! Of course, this all depends on the space you have, but even the smallest entry can help even just a bit! Hooks on the walls for keys, bags, hats, and coats are a good addition that doesn’t take up too much room. If you have a bit of extra space, maybe a cabinet which you can dump things into, or hide shoes and bags away. A good way to determine what your needs might be is to work out how you use the spaces in your home.  Do you keep your bags and shoes in the bedroom, or do you prefer to kick them all off as soon as you walk in the door? Ask yourself some of these sorts of questions and it will steer you in the right direction!

Think of your entryway as an introduction to your home. It announces how a person could feel walking into your house, and who the people are in it. There are so many elements that come together to create these spaces and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming and hard! But remember, there’s no wrong or right, only if you are happy! So, whatever helps you breathe a little easier, and smile and little more when you come home is the perfect entryway for you!