8 Entryway Essentials For a Stylish & Functional Home

Did you know that the entryway to your home is the perfect spot to add some style? It is essential in not only creating, but influencing your guest's first impression of your home. That's why we're going to walk you through how to fill your entry with functional and stylish ideas that serve a purpose. This list of essentials for a functional entryway will leave your guests feeling comfortable AND impressed!

You may have heard that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but your home's entryway is the most important piece. Therefore, you must keep it stylish and functional. So, pay close attention as we dive deeper into some entryway design ideas.

Entryway Essentials

Whether a long hallway, small space or makeshift area – you can create a beautiful entryway for an incredible first impression of your home. These entryway ideas work no matter the size and style of your room or house.
So, what do you need to make a grand entryway? Let's start with the basics.

Console Table

A console table (also known as an entryway table) is among the most straightforward entryway essentials. It's a great place to keep other essentials like keys, purses, or mail (or junk mail). Plus, it can easily be modified to showcase some less obvious benefits, like under-mounted hooks to catch your coats, bags and scarves.

Balance Proportion and Function

When picking a console table, the main idea is to balance proportion and function. And by that we mean what is functional for your lifestyle. For example, if you have a small entryway and an animal, you may want to look for a narrow table with storage for small items like dog leashes. While you're at it, you may want to add a tray on top for other small items like sunglasses (or even more junk mail).

Consider Storage AND Organization

Let's not just think of storage as a place to hide things away either, organization may be just as important. As mentioned above, the underside of a console table can easily be modified to function like like a coat rack, housing umbrellas and hats out of the way but still easily accessible. (I even keep a mini flashlight in mine to take our Corgi out before bed).

Layer with Style

Also, don't forget about styling your console table. Add a few entryway decor items like a mirror, a lamp, or greenery to make your entryway warm and inviting. Even wall art doesn't have to be mounted on the wall, it can easily lean against the wall.

More Than Meets The Eye

Lastly, the proportions of an entryway table are tall and thin, so the underside will perfectly frame a your shoes (organized in a shoe rack, of course), or maybe even a bench – especially for those who live with wet weather and spend more time get prepared to go outside.

Key Shelf

A key shelf is another vital part of your entryway. Did you notice how we didn't say a key rack, but a key shelf? That's because most of us have small entryways and we need them to pack a punch.

Location, Location, Location

We recommend installing this right inside your front door or next to your coat closet so it can help your form good habits when coming and going. A key shelf is a great way to keep everything together, organized, and accessible!

Considerations

What's important here is how it fits into your space. Try simple, practical, and sleek, like this floating magnetic key shelf.

Here is also a small list of things to remember when choosing a key holder.

• Size: Be sure to scale your key shelf according to the size of your entryway and the quantity of keys you carry.
• Type: There are many key holders, from wall-mounted to freestanding to key racks and trays. We prefer wall-mounted as it can be placed at the perfect height for usability.
• Functionality: Choose a key holder with enough hanging space for all your family's keys. If you have a lot of keys, choose a key holder with extra space or add multiple key holders.

In addition, you can double up and get something like this really unique our sawtooth shelf that serves as practical shelving space and a place for your keys.

Mirror

Does your entryway seem a bit tiny at times? Well, then a mirror is what you need. Mirrors are an entryway essential because they are super useful and help create the illusion of a larger space.

Blend in, or Stand out?

Before choosing a mirror for your foyer, you need to answer the question: am I putting in a mirror to blend in or stand out?

Here are some things to remember when hanging and choosing your mirror:

• Placement: Don't install it directly across the door; it may scare you out of your boots while entering your home (who needs seating, am I right?)
• Reflections: It needs to reflect other features of your entryway that you love. For example, if you have a beautiful vase or painting hanging across your mirror, show it off! Keep in mind natural lighting should be seen as a feature and mirrors are excellent for bringing more light into a space.
• Height: Choose your mirror's height carefully. You want to hang your mirror between 55 and 66 inches from the floor. I like my eye level to be at 2/3 of the way up the mirror.
• Layering: Lastly, depending on the shape, try to layering complimentary decor. For example, when you've added your console table to the entryway, try hanging a mirror, or leaning a smaller mirror against the wall with a few small baskets or a tray flanking each side. As an added bonus, leaning a mirror means you can purchase a smaller, less expensive unit with just as much impact!

Coat Rack

Some may think of a coat rack as a bulky, disorganized mess that only gets used a few months each year, but that doesn't have to be the case.

Not Just for Coats

Placing a coat rack near your front door or in a narrow entryway can frame the space and give you year-round storage for not just coats (rain jackets are coats too!), but also a place for bags, scarves, and umbrellas.

Showcase Your Style

One other idea is to use the hooks for other decorative items that you might want to showcase like a gorgeous patterned jacket, brightly colored purses or hats. Think of it as a display case for your most stylish wares!

A well-curated coat rack can fill even a small entryway with life while keep things organized and off your floor.

Shoe Storage

If you don't have a place to store your shoes, they can end up everywhere, from the entryway to the living room. But with a bit of storage for your shoes, you can keep them organized and out of the way. That, and keeping dirt to a minimum and out of other rooms can lessen the stress of cleaning.

One option for shoe storage is a dedicated rack. It can be freestanding or one that mounts to the wall.

A Bench = Double-Duty

Another shoe storage idea is a bench with a built-in shelf or drawer. A bench provides you with a place to sit when putting on your shoes and a place to store them. If you have limited space, your shoe storage should perform multiple duties in whatever room they exist in.

Consider the Smell

One last thing to consider however is smell. Keep in mind that the entryway is the gateway to your home and if someone in your house struggles with smelly feet, it may be best to move the shoe storage to an over-the-door installation, so any odors can be kept at bay.

Carpet/Runner

Your guests don't stop at your entryway – they use it as the entrance to your house. What better way to connect one room to the next than with a carpet runner? Sure they may sit on a bench to remove their shoes, but a big, squishy runner covering most of your floor will make them feel loved.

Match Your Lifestyle

If you have kids or pets coming in and out, you might consider a low-pile (thin) rug as it will be easier to clean. A patterned carpet can add a pop of personality to the space though too.

Functional Divider

You can also use mats to define different areas in your entryway, such as a seating area or a mudroom. If you live in a place with a colder climate, an entryway rug can also help keep your feet warm as you enter your home.

Sufficient Lighting

One of the most crucial things most entryways lack is sufficient lighting, which means that you need to have a light source that is bright enough to illuminate the space well.

To Mount, or Not To Mount?

That is the question! There are many different ways to achieve this. Do you hang lighting overhead, install wall sconces, or simply place a few table lamps? Whatever method you choose, make sure that your entryway lights up nicely so that guests (and you) can see where they're going.

Go (a little) Nuts!

In addition, don't be scared to bring in some style when it comes to your lighting. Rustic homes can, for instance, use loose hanging warm lights or copper frame lights.

Artwork

Framed art may be tough to negotiate in a small entry space, but if you have the room it can be just what you need to make your entryway great! Framed art is an entryway essential because it can help to make the space more inviting and add a bit of your personality.

Make it Personal

Another way to make your entryway more stylish and functional is to personalize it with your unique flair. You can do it in several ways, such as adding family photos to the walls, an instrument in the corner, or your favorite flowers on the console table. Whatever you choose to do, make sure that it reflects your style.

Enter Into A New Design

Are you ready to give your entryway a makeover? With just a few simple pieces, you can create an inviting space that welcomes guests and sets the tone for the rest of your home. You can start by looking at our floating magnetic key shelf, the ideal starting point.

Also, check out the rest of our online store for inspiration, and start shopping for your new entryway essentials today.