Entry Makeover
TThe entry should make a strong first impression when you walk through the front door or welcome guests. Ours is an open two-story space in the center of the house, so it needed thoughtful planning. It’s not only the place where family and guests enter, it also links several rooms together, so creating both charm and functionality was important.
We bought this house three and a half years ago and have been slowly transforming the entry. Our goal was to add personality, warmth, and practical elements so the space would truly feel welcoming. There were a few detours along the way, but now the pieces are coming together and the entry finally feels like home.
Along the way we’ve made a number of changes and shared progress posts about them, including painting a striped accent wall, updating the stairway, replacing the original light with a personalized beaded chandelier, installing new hardwood floors, adding plank walls for texture, and painting the trim and entry wall. We also refreshed the exterior front door to complement the interior improvements.
If you remember how the entry looked before, it’s satisfying to see how much it has evolved. What was once a nice but generic space has gained character and a sense of home. Small changes have made a big difference.
One challenge in our house is that there’s only one closet on the main floor, so we needed to make the entry more functional. To address that, we treated part of the wall as a mudroom zone by adding hooks to the wainscoting. That simple change instantly improved how we use the space.
The hooks are a favorite detail—sometimes the smallest additions have the biggest impact on daily life. We chose durable, attractive hooks that blend with the entry’s style and make it easy to hang coats, bags, and hats without cluttering the room.
The little stool from World Market is perfectly scaled for the space and makes tying shoes easy. It adds a touch of color and provides a practical perch for kids and adults alike.
To finish the wall, I added a pair of mirrors found at a big-box store. Mirrors expand the light and visually enlarge the entry while offering a convenient spot for a last-minute check before heading out. The new line of home furnishings we used delivers good design at an accessible price, and the mirrors tie nicely to the rest of the updates.
It’s been rewarding to look back on the transformation—from the early days of moving in to the more cohesive, welcoming entry we have now.
Overall, the entry makeover has been steady progress: layering paint, flooring, lighting, wall treatments, and practical elements until the space feels purposeful and inviting. Small functional additions, like hooks and a stool, made the room work better for everyday life, while aesthetic updates added personality and charm.
If you’re working on an entry in your own home, consider combining practical storage with decorative details—hooks, a mirror, a small bench or stool, and well-chosen lighting can change how you experience the space.
What rooms are you working on in your house?
Sources and finishes used:
Stool: World Market
Hooks: Rejuvenation Hardware
Mirrors: Threshold line at Target
Wall sconce: Lowe’s
Hardwood floors: Mohawk
Paint colors: gray walls — Behr All in One Studio Taupe; white trim — Benjamin Moore White Dove; black door — Martha Stewart