Keys to a Stylish Entry

antoinette83 says:

I would really love to do an ''entry'' but I am not sure if i can. When you open the main house door you find yourself in an open plan (21x24ft) which includes the kitchen dining and living. Can i still include a console table and a mirror beside the door? the mirror will reflect part of the kitchen. Thanks and keep it up!

Natalie Myers says:

Antoinette, I hunk you can do it by hanging an interesting panel of fabric from the ceiling to the floor or setting up a paneled screen a few feet away parallel to the door. This will create a separate entry area, but still be open to the larger living area. You can install a small console table with landing strip for keys, a cute rug, maybe an umbrella stand or coat rack nearby.

m2home says:

We also open our front door straight into an open plan area. Because of that, our front door area always been a mess of shoes & coats. Any chance your front door is recessed in? Turns out ours is, so we are going to move our front door out, flush with the house exterior walls, and creating a little 'wet room' area. Then we will provide cover outside with a small pergola. Just a thought :)

antoinette83 says:

thank you for your ideas (natalie &m2home) I will think about it and try to imagine what it would look like. at the end maybe i will leave the mirror and console table out but put a nice steel coat hanger. xxx

jessa says:

i have a different question. how to accessorize the entry table that IS the focal point of the entry? i am struggling on this. i commissioned a recycled steel table for my entry which i LOVE but i do not want to put a lot ON it as that would compete with the table itself, but i do not want a blank wall either. i am thinking maybe a black canvas with simple abstract design on it and a glass vase (the one here is too small i know). any ideas??? need to accessorize the foyer without taking any attention from the table which needs to be the star

island33 says:

One idea, add an up light behind the table with a funky dish in the center of the table that's all then follow the pattern from the top of the table to the wall with designs directly on the wall or with round mirrors in differnt sizes.

Ann Bingley Gallops says:

What a lovely review of entry spaces. In Feng Shui the entryway is considered one of the three most important areas of the home because of its power to attract and welcome good Chi energy (and people!).

I especially love your suggestions about defining open-plan entryways with fabric panels.

Another problem for many is a front door that opens right into a very tight wall -- within 5 or 6 feet of the door. I'd love to see a review of ways to deal with this!

Ashley White says:

Just so everyone knows, you can get a knock off version of the mirror in the second image at Pier1. What a beautiful statement piece! Another idea I enjoy using in entryways is a creating a small mudroom-like area for those homes that don't already have a mudroom. It seems to be very functional, especially for those with children.

broper10 says:

Great ideas! My predicament seems to be the opposite of those above. My entry is quite narrow, a long narrow hallway that leads to the living space, the office on one side and the entry to the stairs on the other. There isn't room for a table without making the walkway too narrow. I was thinking artwork with art lights? Any ideas?

Carolyn Zone9alady says:

You can get that exact same mirror in the second photo at Wisteria.com

Lynda Quintero-Davids says:

Great ideabook Natalie! Thank you so much for including me as an example of Keys To A Stylish Entry!