This is my front door. I'd like to put a gallery wall like the first one
but I don't kno what to put for art.. Any diy ideas? Also, my space is alot smaller..

http://lapapeteriediva.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/post_17_06_13_02.jpg

I must be missing something here, but what is the relation between the front door and the dining area? Do you face into the dining area when entering?

Sometimes a buffet or a sofa table w/lower shelf can work as a room partition without blocking too much, visually. It may add practical storage in addition to providing a surface for in/out mail, keys, etc (if you need that).

Does the front door open against the wall with the radiator?

For the entryway--would picture ledges fit on the wall behind the open door? You could put up 2 or 3 picture ledges and get your gallery wall--with the ability to change out pictures as you like.

Or put the gallery wall right behind the open door. Just get a door stop that sticks out far enough to keep the door handle from hitting the art work.

As for personal pictures, consider the picture wall a work in progress. Start taking pictures. Ask your parents and your BF's parents for some pictures. IKEA makes a ton of inexpensive frames, and cheap frames are also available at stores like Michael's and Hobby Lobby.

I would want some place to drop my keys as I came in. If a table won't work there, what about a wall-mounted shelf or two, possibly over the radiator? Then a shoe-storage unit, or put the shoes in one of the closets.

They make really low pile rugs that might fit under your door. I could see a small runner in front of the door, which would help define the space.

As for rugs in the dining room, if you are in an apartment with another apartment below you, I'd bet your downstairs neighbors would really appreciate a rug under those chairs. Check on the fiber content of the rug before you buy it, to make sure it is easy to clean. Patterned rugs hide stains better than solid color rugs, which is something else to keep in mind.

The front door opens directly into the dining area. one picture is from standing near the cardboard box, facing the door. The other picture is standing in the doorway, facing the closets. It opens against the wall with the radiator, I believe it's a 12 foot wall, and four feet of the wall is the entry area with the radiator that the door touches when it is open. I'd like to do something in the four feet above the radiator but I'm not sure how to use that space.

I think a floor plan is definitely called for. This is a challenge, which I think the group can meet, but it is so hard (for me) to visualize what the interior space is. Can you draw a floor plan? And noting the odd things, such as the radiator, that need to be accounted for.

The space seems pretty tight by the entry, so I think you can get away with just a few touches that say "entry" and be done. How about a couple of nice hooks above the radiator (and a little more toward the door) for hanging coats and maybe a small mirror with a frame that works with both the wall color and the dining space art you select? They also have mirror/hook combos already made and ready to hang. Or you could do a mirror with a little shelf. You may be able to find a very low pile mat/rug that will fit under the door, and that would further define the space. One more thing you might want to consider is covering your door window with a sheer door panel or a little curtain. That would give you a little more privacy, especially since your door looks right into your dining area.

Painting that whole wall will help add a more life and warm the space up. Yellows and golds can be tricky though, so if you haven't already, I'd get a few samples and paint swatches before deciding. In the dining area, a nice big rug under the table and large artwork will define that space nicely and make it cozy and inviting.

I attached a (very) rough floor plan. As you can see, the front (exterior door) opens into the kitchen/dining space. I marked the radiator behind the door. There is a space before the closets where the bathroom starts. I'd like to do something with the space above the radiator because it is the space you see from the kitchen, bathroom, dining room, and from outside, looking in. I do have a temporary paper shade hanging on the door now.

This post was edited by EllaInspired on Fri, Aug 16, 13 at 14:06

TheRedHouse,
I love your idea, it's very elegant, but I'm thinking I want a bit less formal of a space? I think I'm going to do a grey morrocan painted wallpaper on the wall, to bring out the grey from my bedroom, and probably use the gold in my living room.