The entryway is the first space in your home that people see when they walk in, and it can set a great tone for what’s to come in the rest of your home, or make people wonder if they want to continue. Creating an interesting, attractive, organized and functional foyer or entryway can not only make people excited about being in your home, but it can also help you and your family to be more organized, get in and out of your home with ease and feel proud of the way others will. see your house too.

There are a few essentials for an organized and attractive entryway. The first is to have a really cool entryway console or table. For the most part, every foyer should have a really nice table to house some wonderful accessories, a lamp or two, and (if you don’t have a wardrobe or enter through the garage) a basket or drawers to store keys, name badges, or other small items. . It’s also a great place to leave the mail!

Excellent lighting is also a key component of a functional and attractive foyer or entryway. Your overhead lighting should really make a statement. Whether you have a two-story foyer or a seven-foot ceiling, there are wonderful lighting options available to you. Make sure the fixture fits the scale of the space. For example, a two-story foyer should have a large, interesting chandelier or pendant light. If you have a seven-foot ceiling, on the other hand, you’re better off opting for a very nice built-in fixture. Whatever the height of your ceiling or the size of your foyer, really think and invest some money in a really great chandelier.

Also consider accent lighting. Lamps or dimmers are a great way to add accent lighting that can help diffuse some of the overhead lighting if you’re trying to create ambience while entertaining. Wall sconces can also be very interesting and add a lot of style to a space while also providing ambient and accent lighting. You don’t have to pay an electrician a ton of money to install large wall sconces in your entryway. Many companies now offer fantastic wall sconces in amazing styles and color options.

A great rug can not only help your entryway look and feel great, but it can also serve to help your guests give their shoes a little polish before entering your home. When it comes to shopping for appropriate entryway rugs, there are a few things to consider:

• Opt for a high-end wool area rug that can really handle a lot of traffic, keeping in mind that it will need to be professionally cleaned periodically.
• Buy a rug made specifically for indoor and outdoor use that can be easily cleaned and maintained. Many companies now make indoor and outdoor rugs in a variety of styles, colors, patterns, and textures, and at great prices.

Many people need a place to sit, put on and off, as well as shoe storage near the entryway or foyer. There are several creative and elegant ways to handle this. A great looking bench with built in storage is the most obvious and easiest solution if you have the space. Another option is a thin bench with an open bottom for placing baskets or trays under it to neatly accommodate a small number of shoes or even a children’s backpack. You might also consider placing a really cool square storage ottoman or two under your console or hall table. The wheels will make it easy for you to pull it out and put it away when you’re done using it and the storage can double as a storage place for some of your family’s shoes.

If your entry/foyer is the main entrance to your home (meaning you don’t have a foyer or entry from the garage), you might also consider placing a couple of attractive baskets on top of the console table. A basket could be used to leave keys, phones and wallets when entering the house. The second can serve as a mail delivery point. The key to keeping this system organized, however, is for the baskets to be checked a couple of times a week to make sure there is always room to drop new items. You can also use the drawers of your console table for this purpose if the table has them and if they are large enough to organize these items.

The finishing touches are what really make entryways and foyers shine. If your space allows it, a really dramatic mirror can serve to add style and allow one last look at yourself before leaving the house. A vase of fresh (or really cool faux) flowers can add freshness to the space. The vases, bowls, sculptures, and artwork really make the space feel finished and make guests want to see what else you’ve done with the rest of your home. Really spend a little time adding personal touches to your foyer or entryway to make it feel finished and welcoming.