Entryways
“Should you have one?”
Let’s be honest, there are some areas in our homes that we consider less important than others and “Entryways,” may be top on the list for many people. By entryway, I’m referring to the area in your home that you walk into once you open your front door. It’s usually the first place we step into and the last one as we leave. In some homes this is a hall leading to the main parts of the house, for others it’s walking directly into a room or may be a little area that is shielded from the main door but still part of a larger room.
Whether or not there is a dedicated foyer, depends on the design and scale of a house. It is easy to take this space for granted because it’s often a space we rush through and may be have no idea what to do with – it’s either too big, too small, too narrow, non-existent, awkward or challenged in other ways. We relegate it to a passage that allows us to access the spaces that we actually want to be in. So we stack shoes, bags, coats and deliveries with the hope that everybody else will ignore it. However every space in our homes is an opportunity to create beauty and for this particular one, provide function that will improve the quality of your life.
Signs that your Entryway is neglected
Here’s how to know if you need to take the entryway in your home more seriously.
1. This part of your home feels cluttered, crowded and looks unsightly.
2. You rush through this space because it feels empty or uninspiring.
3. You consider this nothing more than access space and haven’t put effort towards improving it.
4. You are embarrassed by and constantly apologizing to guests for it.
5. Your exit from the house is mainly chaotic – you can’t find keys, shoes, masks etc. at the last minute.
6. You get a sinking feeling every time you enter your home because of this space.
7. One of these adjectives describes it; disconnected, outdated and or forgotten.
8. You think there is no room for it.
9. You don’t know where to start or how to improve this space.
What’s in it for you?
A pleasant looking functional entryway to your home is as important as a reception desk is to a business entity. Its’ very importance lies in the fact that this is the first and last space we interact with as we come into or leave our private world. A well designed one will not only add to the beauty of your home, but provide you with a practical system that will make your life easier. The look and feel will vary from one house to another but the benefits and function it brings to your home will include:
1. Setting the tone for your home. In as far as the interior of your home goes, this is the introduction to your space. How you organize and decorate this area will set the tone for your home, creating a great first impression for guests that draws them into the rest of the house and always bring a smile to your lips every time you come in through the door.
2. This dedicated station provides a smoother transition from the outdoors to your private space. By setting up an area that enables you to ‘peel-off’ the layers that buffer you on the outside world – masks, jackets, shoes, bags, keys – and enter into your oasis, you allow yourself to physically and psychologically transition into your private space.
3. Conversely, this simple system will also enable you to access everything you need quickly and easily so as to ease into the public space. As you pull on your shoes, grab your jacket, keys, bag – you also prepare mentally to face the world.
4. Create Order. By understanding your habits and organizing this space to make life easier, faster and orderly you will create a sense of control over your life. There will no longer be wasted time or frustration as a result of misplaced items or cluttered areas but a quiet calm and confidence that will flow into other areas of your life.
5. Own your space. As much as we draw design inspiration from many sources it’s always good to know that a space is unique to you. Creating an Entryway provides an opportunity to add touches that personalize your space and tells a story about you and your family. These sometimes minute touches act as triggers for fond memories, make it special and one of a kind.
6. At no other time in history has having an Entryway in your home made more sense than in our world today. The COVID Pandemic underscored the importance of actively protecting ourselves and our private environments from infections. Having this area serve as a sanitation station for those coming into your space is another reason why this is a practical addition to our homes.
Steps to creating your Entryway
You might think that an entryway only makes sense when you have a huge space or grand home, but they come in all shapes and sizes. It can be as big as a dedicated room as small as a little station on a wall and everything in between. A well-designed entryway will definitely elevate the style and function of any home and is well worth the time, effort, creativity and budget allocated to it. Here are some practical steps to creating the perfect entryway for your home.
1. Get the big picture
Understand the functions that your family repeatedly performs as they exit or enter the home and identify the key activities. How would these be performed in a more efficient and orderly way? What solutions would need to be in place for this to happen? Assess the space available.
2. Ask
Ask the following question: What first impression you want visitors to your home to have? How do you want to feel when you come through the door? – consider everyone if it is a shared household. What is the style of the rest of your home? What is your budget? Who and how many will be using the space? Are there any special considerations e.g. kids, the elderly or physically challenged persons who will use the space? How would I make it more-friendly for them?
Answers to questions 1 and 2 will help clarify the vision for your space as well as inform decisions on which items are best suited for your particular Entryway.
3. Research
Now that you have a general idea of what you’d like. It’s time to get a more specific. Research is what will come to your aid! Go online or use other sources at your disposal e.g. magazines, to expose yourself to more ideas and build your vision. Your goal will be to further spur your creativity and see how others have executed similar ideas. Does it still appeal to you? Don’t just focus on how an item looks but pay attention to how it would function in your context. Feel free to change your mind if something no longer seems practical. The information you got from 1 and 2 will help you navigate the ‘sea’ of enticing ideas and land on what is suitable for you.
4. Create a list
Now that you know exactly how you want your entryway to look like, it’s time to translate that to reality. Begin by building a list of the items that you will need. Be as detailed as possible, note which projects you intent to DIY, which ones you’ll source for, what alternatives you want to use, where to get these items and allocate a budget.
5. Install
Use the list to cross out items as you acquire them in preparation for installation. Decide if you will do this in stages or you prefer to set aside a day or two to complete your project. This will depend on what you need to get done. Trust the process and work steadily on your vision.
Tips
a. Use furniture that performs multiple functions.
b. Consider each piece of furniture carefully before you incorporate it in the space, because you can only put a limited number of items – does it reflect the style and function you envisioned?
c. Although this is a separate space and you want to give it individuality find ways to keep it connected to the rest of the home e.g. by carrying a colour or texture used elsewhere here.
d. This is a high traffic area and at times has limited space. Be careful not to hamper movement with furniture or fragile piece.
e. Expand the usable surfaces by making use of the walls and ceiling as part of your ‘canvas.’
f. A statement piece in this space will provide the “wow-factor” to your entryway. It could be any of the items that you place here; lighting, art, console table, chair, fabric or styling accessory. It’s usually ‘found’ when least expected and becomes a prized possession and attraction, so keep your eyes open as you carry out your research or sourcing.
g. Personalize the space. Include pieces that make this space uniquely yours. These will be items that have sentimental value, such as pictures or art that speaks volumes.
h. Plants : There is no doubt that plants bring in new depth wherever they are introduced whether it be fresh cut flowers, potted plants or dry foliage.
i. Don’t leave out the mirror. Find a way to incorporate a mirror even when space is at a premium. Not only does a mirror expand a space, it also a practical item to have here.
j. Accessorize. Do not go overboard on the function aspect and overlook the style of this space. The accessories will connect the different items and pull the look together so factor this item in the budget. k. Storage. Explore the different ways available for the kind of storage that you need here. Think outside the box.
As with every creative project do not limit your imagination. Dream as big as you’d like, then see how to modify these dreams to work for your space and budget. This is part of the charm and challenge of design.