If your goal is to make your home more welcoming, the entryway is a great place to start. It’s usually the interior space your guests see first before entering your home and often makes the initial impression. It can also help the inhabitants of your home make the mental switch from work or school mode to at-home mode if designed effectively. Whether you’re looking for increased comfort or to make an impression on visitors, there are many ways Chicago homeowners can spruce up their entryway. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind:

The Entryway Starts Outside

Start by thinking about the exterior. You might have a porch, a pathway directly to the door, some steps — whatever your setup is, spending a little time making this outdoor space inviting is a sensible place to begin your work. Clean up any debris, paint your door and repair any broken steps or cracked stones, and add some plants if any that will be of benefit.

Add Storage Options

A common challenge among homeowners when it comes to the entryway is insufficient storage space. Think about all the daily comings and goings to get a better idea of how much storage space you truly need. A tiny closet won’t house jackets for every season for every member of the family. Maybe you don’t even have a coat closet and coats end up draped over a piece of furniture. Putting in shelving, adding a coat rack, and installing some hooks, are all effective ways to expand the entryway’s storage potential.

Consider a Bench

A bench is another worthwhile option to explore for the entryway. It gives us a place to sit down to remove our shoes, keeping them from being deposited elsewhere in the house. It’s especially useful if there are little ones that need to put on shoes, boots, or outerwear. Benches can also provide some of that additional storage that we previously covered. Whether it has a top that opens and closes or some baskets underneath, utilizing a bench for storage can be a smart move.

Improve Your Lighting

Does your entryway have enough light? Maybe you need to install a new lighting fixture or add a floor lamp in the corner. Making the entryway feel bright and inviting could also help you use it better. The more appealing the entryway is, the more you’re going to take advantage of it.

Make it Reflect the Rest of the House

Often, we don’t place the same emphasis on design when it comes to the entryway as we do for the rest of the house. Incorporating some artwork, a mirror to contribute to a more spacious feeling, and colors you love are helpful ways to tie your entryway in with the rest of the home.

The entryway doesn’t need to be an afterthought. A well-appointed entryway can offer an inviting first-impression for guests, and a wonderful welcome for the family arriving back at home.

If you’d like to talk more about sprucing up the entryway, or if there’s another matter we can be of assistance with, please get in touch. We’re always happy to help.