A Warm Welcome

The entrance is the first impression into your home for your family, friends and visitors. It is often the smaller of space in your home. But, there are ways to make the most of the space, both for function and in decor. We did just that with this small entrance, that has a welcoming feel as you walk in the door and lots of character.

making the most of a small space

When designing a smaller space you have to be creative and think outside the box. The biggest piece of real estate in this entrance are the wall but, smaller spaces can be limiting when it comes to color and choosing the right color is critical. Too dark the space will feel smaller, too light and you lose impact. Wallpaper is one alternative to putting paint on the wall and choosing a pattern that is proportioned to the size of the space while achieving the desired impact is a balance that can be challenging.

before

There isn't much room in this 5'x4' entrance. The closet itself was a good size and held good storage for coats, shoes, hats and gloves. But when you walked in all you notice were the two newly installed, double bi-fold doors, nothing more. The space was previously unremarkable and wanted to do more than just hang a mirror or a piece of artwork on the wall.

adding vertical layers

The kitchen, dining room were previously separated from the living area which left the large footprint of this home feeling small and crowded.

before

With the walls being the place to add impact and get the best bang for the buck, wallpaper was the clear choice for this space. The home overlooks the water so it was only fitting to replicate a look that came from the interior of a ship, with a classic shiplap pattern to create a timeless look. We then layered a round black framed mirror to mimic a porthole, as well adding softness with the shape. But why stop there.

accessorizing a small space

Adding the pop of black on the entrance door pulled out the simple detailing of the lines in the wallpaper and balanced the contrasting black mirror on the adajanct wall. We left the closet doors white to match the trim to not overwhelm the small space and make it too dark, they aren't a focal point and blend in with the background color of the wallpaper. Instead of letting the mirror stand on its own, we added a shelf in a nature walnut and added 4 small hooks to increase its functionality. When selecting a rug, we decided upon more of a traditional style, which really elevated the look of the space and tied in perfectly with the decor throughout the rest of the home

Accessories are about adding layers of color and texture to a space. We added a couple small hanging baskets for quick access for things like keys, sunglasses and masks. Then hung a floppy beach hat in that warm natural tone of the wooden shelf and to add a bit of texture. This being a home of two dogs, a place to hang a couple of leashes was a must. On the shelf we layered a picture of the pups and to soften up the space and a faux orchid and a trio of green glass bottles in a crate with a little touch of greenery.

An entrance can be thought of as a purely functional space. But remember, it is the first impression when entering your home. By taking this otherwise plain entrance and using all the space available, now when you walk into this home, you have an immediate feeling of style, character and warmth.

Design by: Krista Lyn Vaters Interior Design Studio