Help with bland entry

last year

last modified: last year

I'm trying to decide how to add some personality/cohesive style to our entry way. We are hoping to avoid anything major (i.e. change front doors, redo carpet, etc.). We have been floating around the idea of: painting the wood cabinet, interior door or stair rails, adding a new flush mount light, or a new carpet. At the moment it feels very disjointed. We love eclectic style (tried to add a little of that feel with our gallery wall), but it seems to clash with the more muted/"classic" (not sure that is the right descriptive word!) style going on everywhere else. Any and all ideas would be welcome! Ps. I have added photos on the comments. It wasn't allowing me to include them in the post.

Featured Answer

Maureen

last year

Look on line for ideas (re: “updated foyers” on Houzz and Pinterest) and changes will be much easier to coordinate/create the look you want. Doesn’t have to pop color wise, so it will be easier to intergrate with adjoining spaces. I chose a ”look“ to give you one idea (don’t know if it suits your style).

A black door/sidelight/trim (I painted ours and it transformed the small entrance).

A black bannister will tie in well, feel more modern and your collage will work much better.

I have had a hemp rug at the entrance for years and it’s a workhorse. I don’t think a runner will work, but they come in all kinds of sizes and designs. This one has some grey to tie in with the stairs.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1542928069/2x15-boho-decor-hemp-hallway-decor-hemp?epik=dj0yJnU9ckdXM0hObmZMelJhMnlJQVo3RkZuRWU0VXhjeVdQWHMmcD0wJm49Unk2ODVpTFBLRVZ0MlBTVkpjdEJ0ZyZ0PUFBQUFBR1gzRlVj

Balance the top of the cabinet plus I’d stain it darker and add black handles.

A really cute pendant will finish the space off nicely. Whatever direction you head, it’s important there is continunity style wise.

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Comments (12)

Matt McElch
Original Author
last year
shirlpp
last year
That is a nice looking gallery wall. Why aren't you using the stair wall for a cabinet rather than having it right at the door?
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Matt McElch
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
@Shirlpp - ah, yes! We thought about that, but a hallway is right there and it felt a little cramped.
mnmamax3
last year
A new rug would make a huge difference! I have the first one and it wears like a champ even in our snowy MN winters. There are a few different collections with this construction (Layla, Loren, etc). The cabinet is a nice style but definitely stands out like a sore thumb. I would suggest staining or painting it, maybe a nice navy blue. I might also consider an additional art piece to continue into the empty wall space.
Matt McElch thanked mnmamax3
littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
last year
The cabinet, the mirror, and the green plant (fake?) all feel off to me. Why is the cabinet there anyway?

A patterned colorful rug would be great, maybe a Persian-type rug.
HU-910663146
last year
The unstained pine cabinet sticks out and would look better painted or stained.

How about adding a runner down the hallway. I'm not a fan of the persians, but something that tied into the rest of the house would be a bit more interesting than the black door mat.
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
last year
The lighting is not helping the space either--it's very harsh and glaring. Perhaps get a new fixture with frosted bulbs and/or a shade to soften the light.

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Matt McElch thanked Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
Matt McElch
Original Author
last year
Thank you everyone, glad to see the changes we were thinking about were taking us in the right direction! The cabinet is, unfortunately, needed from a functional perspective (it is used as kid outdoor clothing storage). The plant (real), was my attempt to add some life/colour. We are planning to paint the cabinet white, find a colourful rug, and a new light! We will see how it turns out and I'll post some after photos. If any other ideas come to mind please feel free to pass along!
shirlpp
last year
The new rug will need to coordinate with your stair carpet. You can go to rugs direct and upload your photo to get ideas.

That wall across from the front door(not sure, can't see it), might be an opportunity to add a piece of colorful artwork.
Matt McElch
Original Author
last year
@Maureen - that was incredibly helpful! Thank you! I have been on the fence about painting the door and bannister, but I think those photos just convinced me :)
Jenn-z9b-AZ
last year
I think your poor plant will struggle to get enough light there. Give it a chance to live by putting it next to a window.