7 Useful Things Every Entryway Needs
February 27, 2020The entryway of your house welcomes you every time you come home and is usually the first area of your home that guests see. Making sure this area of your home exudes a welcoming atmosphere and also helps handle all the hustle and bustle that comes with getting through the door is essential. Here are a few useful things every entryway needs:
1. Storage
The right types of storage in your entryway are essential to keeping it organized and free of clutter. Plus, having obvious areas for storage can make it so much easier to corral family members and guests when multiple people are entering the home.
A coat rack and a shoe rack or mat can provide a visual cue to guests where they can place their coats and shoes when they come to visit. These items also make it easy for you to keep your own things in order and within easy reach when you need to leave again.
A closet either in the entryway or in a nearby hallway can be a great way to handle overflow items, seasonal items, and more. Plus, it’s a big help if you have a big family or during those times when you have a lot of guests.
2. Weather-Resistant Rug or Mat
A weather-resistant rug or mat both outside on your front porch and just inside the entryway can help keep dirt, mud, and moisture contained to your entryway and not tracked throughout the rest of the house. A sturdy mat can give you, your family, and guests a safe place to remove their shoes before walking into the rest of your home.
This is useful for the day-to-day dirt and debris that shoes can bring inside. And, it is particularly useful for rainy or snowy days when you may need to worry about mud, slush, and more. You can also have a larger weatherproof mat or tray nearby specifically for placing wet or dirty shoes once they’re off your feet.
3. Good Lighting
Good lighting is important for any room and it can make a big difference in your entryway. An entryway is meant to be welcoming and good lighting can help you make create the right atmosphere.
High windows, skylights, or windows above the door can allow natural light to enter the room. From there, you can also add spot lighting or overhead lighting fixtures to get the lighting you need. If you’re going for an elegant look and feel, adding a chandelier or other lighting fixtures can help you create an elegant entryway.
4. Drop Zone
A drop zone refers to an area of your home where things to accumulate when entering or leaving your home. An entryway is a classic place where things tend to get dropped and accumulate. Without some sort of organization, it can quickly become disorganized and cluttered. But, making a functional drop zone can help keep this area organized and free of clutter.
Coat racks, shoe mats, and more can help corral these everyday items. If you often drop keys or piles of mail in your entryway, a small side table with some compartments for mail or a stylish key rack for the wall can help you keep these items organized and easy to find when you need them again. The best configuration for your drop zone all depends on what types of items tend to accumulate in that area, the space you have available, and your needs.
5. Seating
Because the entryway is a common area to take off shoes when coming home and putting them back on to leave, it can be useful to have some sort of seating in the area. Depending on your style and needs, this could be a small armchair, a couple of chairs, or even a bench.
You can also go with something multifunctional like a shoe rack with a bench or a storage bench to add some storage to your entryway without taking up additional space. Adding some seating can also help you create a welcoming atmosphere in your entryway, which is also one of the tips for creating a beautiful entryway.
6. Mirror
It’s common to find a mirror hanging in an entryway. Not only is a mirror useful for a quick check before leaving the house, but it also reflects light and can make your entryway look bigger, brighter, and more welcoming. One of the home decor tips for using mirrors is to make mirrors a focal point.
Although you can do this in your entryway, you don’t have to if it doesn’t fit with the overall look and feel you’re trying to achieve. Still, placing it strategically to best reflect light or highlight another feature can enhance your entryway. Plus, you can also get creative with the mirror frame or even go with a mirror in a unique shape for an interesting look.
7. Fun Decor
Another one of the useful things every entryway needs is fun decor. You don’t want to go overboard, but you do want your entryway to reflect your personality and style. Once you have the basic requirements down for storage and other items, don’t forget to have a little fun and add your personal style to it with decorative accents. This could be in the form of a uniquely-shaped mirror, an interesting mirror frame, creative pictures or art prints on the wall, a cool sculpture on a side table, and more.
These are just a few useful things every entryway needs. But, the entryway is just one area of your home. Planning out every detail of your home can be stressful and overwhelming. Partner with an experienced custom home builder with an in-house design/build process instead to keep the process exciting and enjoyable.
They’ll be able to walk you through each step of the process and make sure every room of your home ends up exactly how you imagine. Contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090 to start making your dream home a reality!