The entryway is more than just a passage—it offers the first glimpse into your home’s personality. Yet, it’s often overlooked, becoming a cluttered drop zone for shoes, mail, and other odds and ends.
With smart design choices and creative use of glass solutions, you can transform this space into a welcoming, functional focal point that sets the tone for the rest of your home.
Below are the nine entryway mistakes to avoid during the design process and how to rectify them in style.
Maximise Style and Organisation with Practical Storage
Entryways endure high traffic and demand smart organisation. Neglecting functional decor can quickly turn this space into a cluttered eyesore, disrupting the home’s overall aesthetic. Instead of opting for a basic console table, elevate form and function with furniture incorporating built-in storage.
Think bench with hidden drawers or a console with cubbies—perfect for stashing shoes, keys, and other essentials. To take it up a notch, enhance the space with a tinted mirror backdrop. This stylish addition amplifies light and also adds a touch of sophistication.
Streamlined Space-saving Mirrored Consoles for Small Entryways
In smaller entryways, oversized furniture can overwhelm the space and make it feel cramped. Choose furniture and storage solutions that are proportionate to the space and allow for a free flow of movement.
Further, enhance or lighten the furniture with mirror cladding. Mirrored console tables create the illusion of more space and reflect light, instantly making your entryway brighter and more welcoming. In tight spaces, opt for hooks, glass shelves or a tall mirror that will draw the eye upward.
Brighten Entryway Designs with Mirrors
A mirror is a must-have for any entryway design, not just for last-minute checks before heading out but also for its transformative ability to brighten and visually enlarge the space.
Consider a custom-framed mirror with artistic flair, or opt for a mirror mosaic with extra-clear and tinted mirrors to create a striking visual effect. Saint-Gobain’s Miralite Revolution offers distinct mirror shades to elevate your entryways and foyers.
Spruce your Entryway with Custom Digitally Printed Glass
Entryways offer a glimpse into the home's character and its inhabitants. An entryway without a focal point is just another passageway. Adorn the space with mirror panelling, curated decor or a piece of art that captivates the eye and sets the mood.
For a truly personalised touch, incorporate digitally printed glass. SGG Colormaxx Canvas offers a range of customisable, digitally printed glass solutions designed to bring character and style to your interior spaces.
Bold Lacquered Glass Wall Panels for a Vibrant and Luxurious Entryway
Neutral and muted entryway designs are safe; however, a pop of colour can infuse an interesting vibe and elevate the overall space. Opt for bold colours with lacquered glass wall panels for a glossy and luxe finish.
This brilliant wall decor idea for entryways brings the space a vibrant and luminous energy. SGG Colormaxx Dura, the latest range of toughened lacquered glass, is available in a wide array of shades. Complement it with minimalist furniture and a handful of carefully chosen accessories to complete the look.
Minimalist Glass Consoles for Inviting Foyer Design
The entryway to a home should ideally be clean and uncluttered, creating a welcoming first impression while setting a tone of harmony and organisation.
Install wall-mounted shelves or a clear toughened glass console for a minimalist and organised solution. These elements combine functionality with style, keeping your home entryway tidy and visually appealing.
Transform Stairway Entry Walls with Decorative Panels or Mirrors
Entryways that lead up to stairways are often ignored. This is a missed opportunity to make a design statement and add functional elements. Utilise this space with decorative wall panels, such as mirror panelling or digitally printed glass or lacquered glass, to welcome the guests with style and visual allure.
Smart Elements and Lighting for an Inviting Look.
Entryways often lack natural light, especially in homes with small windows or none at all. This creates a dim and uninviting first impression. To rectify this entryway design mistake, opt for clever techniques, like adding a glass door or partition to draw light from the living room, light colours, good ambient lighting and an oversized mirror that bounces light in the room and makes the hallway space more inviting and appealing.
Enhance your Foyer with Art and Plants
It might seem obvious to overlook the entryway decor in favour of more prominent rooms like the living room, bedroom or kitchen, especially if the foyer area is small. However, this is the biggest entryway design mistake area, as it plays a crucial role in setting the tone for your home’s overall style and functionality. Breathe some life into the entryway with plants, art, and decor mirrors and create that striking first impression.
Entryways are just as important as other spaces in a home. Don't miss this opportunity and avoid these mistakes to transform this often-overlooked area into a harmonious blend of style and practicality. With a little creativity and the right design elements, you can curate an efficient and welcoming space.
What is the purpose of the entryway design in the home?
Entryways serve as a threshold or landing space to your home, setting the first impression for the guests. The foyer area demarcates the rest of the house, providing a transitional division between the exteriors and interiors.
What's the biggest entryway mistake?
The biggest entryway mistake is failing to design or decorate it at all. Many homeowners treat the entryway as an afterthought, leaving it bare, cluttered, or without any style. This can disrupt the overall flow and functionality of your home. An entryway sets the tone for the entire space, so investing in thoughtful design—like incorporating mirrors, functional storage, or bold accents—can make all the difference.
How can I make the entryway look bigger?
Add oversized mirrors near the windows or light source to amplify natural light and create the illusion of space. Opt for streamlined furniture like consoles with drawers to avoid clutter and lend an organised and modern look.
What are the best storage solutions for small entryways?
Consider multi-functional furniture like benches with built-in storage, wall-mounted hooks, floating shelves, or cubbies to keep the area organised without taking up much space.
Jahanavi Arora is an architect by profession and a writer by choice, with over 7 years of experience in architecture and design writing. Read More
