Condo entryway ideas

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(Image credit: Future)

Entryway ideas for apartments may be limited – by a lack of space, natural light, and just because they're a thoroughfare – but that doesn't mean they have to lack in personality, practicality and pizzazz.

So when you're looking for entryway ideas for apartments, think big. Whatever the size, shape or configuration of yours, these entryway ideas showcase how to take decor to the next level – because, after all, it’s the space that creates a first impression on your guests, and greets you when you come home.

Entryway ideas for apartments

Elevate your apartment decor ideas with clever ways with furniture, lighting, storage and decor. No matter the size, it is important to utilize these elements well to make your entryway more inviting. These entryway ideas for apartments include both bold and pared back design options; take note of any clever organizing in a small apartment since this, too, will help you maximize space.

1. Add a bench for practicality and style

(Image credit: Marlaina Teich Designs/Patrick Cline)

Modern entryway bench ideas will make your apartment entryway functional first – but it can be good looking, too.

‘Adding a bench at the apartment entry is a great way to gain additional storage below, using baskets to contain items you need like dog leashes or shopping bags,’ says Lauren Lerner, founder and principal designer at Living with Lolo .

‘The bench seat gives you a place to put on shoes before you walk out and also gives you guests a place to set their bags upon entering.’

It’s always worth investing hooks, too, to create a real purpose for this part of an apartment entryway. Note how, in the background, the sliding door saves space in contrast to how a traditional door would.

2. Go all out with textures – the more the merrier

(Image credit: Jon Day)

Adding textures to your list of entryway ideas for apartments is a wise move because it will give the room character; they add interest, depth and color too. This apartment entryway is packed full of them – from the walls, artwork and ornaments, to floor, rug and console.

They stimulate your senses and create interest. You don't want your apartment entryway to be a space that goes unnoticed, you want it to be interesting and inviting and that’s exactly what this entryway does.

3. Make space for an entry table

(Image credit: Davide Lovati)

You may think your entryway ideas for apartments can't include a console, but with clever shopping or joinery, it can, even in the smallest of space, such as an alcove. And this allows for entry table decor ideas that will give the space personality.

4. Or go dark and dramatic with a touch of Cali style

(Image credit: Living with Lolo/Life Created)

If you are considering hallway paint ideas in a dark color, why not consider decorating both the walls and ceiling? It creates an all-encompassing feel that adds a touch of drama. To bring balance, bright artwork has been added and a textured console that gives warmth and works well with the chocolate brown walls. Consoles are of course, an essential element to an entryway as Lauren Lerner, founder and principal designer at Living with Lolo explains:

‘Using a console at the entry of an apartment is always a good idea. This gives you added functionality by giving you a place to set down purses or keys when you walk in the door.’

5. Create a focal point that’s subtle yet stunning

(Image credit: Millier London)

Even narrow hallways can be stunning – so if you have space for a focal point, such as a circular table, take advantage.

‘For this apartment at Regent's Crescent, Marylebone, Millier has celebrated the building's Regency proportions and neoclassical lines to give an immediate sense of grandeur to the entryway,’ explains Helen Westlake, creative director at Millier London .

‘Hanging pendant lanterns are a modern interpretation of the elegant gas lights first illuminated in London during the Regency period, whilst the era’s Royal Astronomical and Horticultural Societies are subtly referenced through the hallway’s gilded specialist ceiling finish and bespoke sideboard with canvas wrapped cabinet fronts featuring hand-painted botanicals in relief. ’

6. Choose a hand crafted, hand painted decorative look

(Image credit: Annie Sloan )

We asked color expert Annie Sloan for her advice on how to get creative with an entryway that’s on the small size:

‘First impressions are everything, which is why your apartment entryway is your opportunity to go all out. Build a space which delights you every single time you return home, and impresses those lucky enough to get a glimpse of its hallowed halls.

'Keep furniture minimal: a console table and a coat rack is essential but do try not to overcrowd the space or it will be harder to keep tidy. Given that the space is small, this is your opportunity to go bold and be holistic. I’d paint everything.

'This will build excitement for the rest of your home and is so much more easily done in an entryway than in, say, a living room or kitchen.'

7. Consider a monochromatic scheme

(Image credit: The Floor Room)

Entryway ideas for apartments are often best kept sleek and simple, and a black and white scheme in any space is edgy and stylish. These eye-catching floor tiles set the scene and look fabulous against the white that shows off the ornate detailing of the space.

Furniture and accessories are minimal, and if you stick to monochromatic color schemes they’ll be a breeze to style; simply pick interesting shapes and don’t over clutter. A large mirror is a must – it will reflect light, will accentuate the beauty of the architectural elements and of course, make a small apartment entryway feel larger.

8. Make space for apartment entryway storage

(Image credit: Future)

The best entryway ideas for apartments include incredibly well thought-out hallway storage ideas. This is very likely to be for shoes, boots, coats and other outerwear – but if you have a storage cupboard already and a blank wall with enough depth in front of it, why not make space for a library?

Note the nooks for display in this apartment entryway above, and how the back of the shelving is in a warm, reflective finish. This both bounces light around and creates a radiant backdrop that brings glamor and interest.

9. Small entrway ideas for apartments can be perfectly formed

(Image credit: JL Design)

Entryways for apartments come in all shapes and sizes, from the cavernous to the teeny tiny.

So what can you do? There’s never a space that’s too small to have some kind of interior design application, as this mini space by Nashville based JL Design shows.

The monochromatic wallpaper takes a most likely previously unnoticed space instantly eye-catching, add in a glass console – that doesn’t distract from the wallpaper – and pop on a glass based lamp and classic sculpture and you have a stylish entryway nook.

10. Ensure your apartment entryway has a big mirror

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)

Even the smallest apartment entryway can feel light, and bright – especially if it's open-plan and furnished with a huge mirror. Decorating with mirrors is always a no-brainer when it comes to making a space feel bigger and brighter but having a wall of mirrors as in the apartment above can have a major impact, especially if the entryway is a dark corner but open-plan to the living space of the rest of the apartment.

That said, a wall of mirrors with nothing in front other than a blank opposite wall or one cluttered with coats and shoes won't create flattering reflections, so ensuring either the mirrored wall or the one opposite is well decorated and furnished, as above.

How can I decorate my apartment entryway?

Decorate your apartment entryway in the same way you would any space. Paint and wallpaper can be used, as can rugs and whatever flooring appeals. The entryway in an apartment is the first impression, so make it as inviting as you can with beautiful colors and well designed pieces of furniture – this can be as simple as a single console, mirror and lamp. Your color scheme can be a neutral stand alone, or can create a visual reference to the rooms beyond.

What looks good in an apartment entryway?

The size of your apartment entryway will dictate what you can use. For example, a small space will need a streamlined console and will benefit from a large mirror to help make the entryway appear larger. A bigger entryway can take bolder pieces of furniture that are brightly colored or more sculptural. You can hang an eye-catching pendant to make a statement and artwork on the walls.

Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 20 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time, both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor for indie magazine, 91, she trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for modern weddings and events. For H&G, she writes features about interior design – and is known for having an eye for a beautiful room.

Apartment entryway ideas that prove anywhere can have a grand entrance

Design by Andrea Schumacher

(Image credit: Andrea Schumacher)

Apartment entryway ideas can be hard to come by. By their very nature, apartment are tricky since they run the gamut size-wise, from almost non-existent to so large that it’s difficult make use of the entire space (what a problem that must be!).

But no matter the size, there are some clear takeaways from decorators to keep in mind when conceiving these spaces, and so we've asked some of our favorite interior designers for their best apartment entryway ideas.

Entryway ideas for apartments are key to creating a good first impression

Design by Melanie Roy

(Image credit: Anastasios Mentis)

Much like meeting a person for the first time, that first glimpse of a home lingers, which is why it’s so important to address the entry—even if it’s small.

“The entry is the moment a home introduces itself,” says designer Kevin Isbell. “When designing this space, think about which wall your eye first lands on when you walk into the apartment and start there. I like to anchor that wall with either a console table or a chest of drawers with a lamp on top and artwork above. Alternatively, you could place a cabinet there for extra storage.”

Hallway paint ideas are key, and choosing how to decorate the entry is delicate balance, according to Melissa Warner Rothblum of the firm Massucco Warner. “You want the entry to support the rooms near it, but you also want it to hold its own,” she says. In a recent penthouse project, Melanie Roy installed marble flooring to define the entry and chose large-scale artwork “to make the space feel grander.”

Make function a priority

Design by Christina Nielsen

(Image credit: Genevieve Garruppo)

Just like in narrow hallway ideas, in an apartment, where space is often limited, the entry must serve as both a welcoming space as well as an important drop zone for everyday belongings.

“Think about the items you’ll need to throw down when you walk in,” suggests the designer Kati Curtis, who likes to use a table of some sort as well as a mirror for last looks on the way out the door. A bench is another a great addition.

“It’s very practical to include a bench in the entry for people to sit down and take their shoes off,” says designer Melanie Roy.

Designer Christina Nielsen’s go-to is a console with storage underneath - her basket in the picture above is small and discreet but does the job. “You can even create a skirted table so the storage is hidden,” she says. “That’s a great way to add some personality, too, with a patterned fabric of your choice and maybe some cool trim.”

Hallway lighting is key

Design by Kati Curtis

(Image credit: Kati Curtis)

Designers can’t stress the importance of hallway lighting ideas enough, as it provides function, beauty, and atmosphere. “Lighting is the most crucial thing to consider in an entry,” says Melanie Roy. “You can never have enough light, since a combination of either recessed and pendants or recessed and flush mounts creates depth. And they should always be on dimmers so you can adjust the mood.”

Designer Betsy Wentz loves selecting a unique fixture that makes a statement, like the gold architectural ceiling lights you can just see, above. “I choose something fun and whimsical, even if the rest of the apartment is neutral,” she says. “It’s a nice way to introduce visitors to the apartment. ”

How do you decorate an apartment entryway?

Design by Betsy Wentz

(Image credit: Betsy Wentz)

Particularly when considering small hallway ideas, Melanie Roy uses wallpaper to create a jewel-box effect. “It lends an element of surprise and makes the space feel dramatic and luxurious,” she says. “It’s better to use a special wallpaper in a small space like this where it won’t be as costly.” In the event that the entry is open to the main living space, designer Betsy Wentz will sometimes choose one wall to paper, carrying it into the living space as an accent wall. In a recent project with the same issue, designer Andrea Schumacher framed a section of wallpaper like artwork and used it to anchor a vignette with a mirrored console, a pair of stools, sconces, and a vintage runner. As a result, the entry feels special and separate, and the cost is much less than covering an entire wall. Shumacher is also a fan of fun coat hooks and a cantilevered shelf in especially tight spaces.

How do I create a foyer for my apartment?

Design by Andrea Schumacher

(Image credit: Andrea Schumacher)

There are a few standard items that help create a beautiful, functional space to welcome guests. “I suggest a mirror, a place to sit, and a table with for flowers, a vessel for small everyday items such as keys, a purse, and a bin for mail,” says designer Michelle Gerson.

Additional furnishings to consider include a lamp or sconces, a wall-mounted shelf, a center table, a tray for shoes, and a rug. “Just be sure the rug doesn’t appear too precious,” says Andrea Schumacher. “I sometimes use an outdoor rug in these areas.”

In the end, though, the entry should be tailored to a homeowner’s needs. For instance, when Warner Rothblum realized that a center table was too formal for a client with young children, she opted instead for a cozy yet elegant round banquette. “The kids can sit there and pop their shoes on, and it’s a great place to wait,” says the designer. “Plus, its brown velvet upholstery plays beautifully with the brown patterned wallpaper in the adjacent powder room.”

How can I decorate the front door of my apartment?

Not all apartment buildings will allow painting the front door, but if you’re able to, it makes a big statement. “Painting is a fun way to foreshadow what’s inside,” explains Betsy Wentz. “You definitely want to be cognizant of the interior palette when selecting a door color,” adds Mariska Meyer. “A pop of color on the inside of the front door is also fun. In that case, consider choosing a paint shade that coordinates with furnishings in the entry, such as a patterned wallpaper.”

Door hardware can also be changed out to better coordinate with the overall design scheme. “Front door hardware should match the hardware in the rest of the apartment,” explains Melanie Roy. “Hardware can elevate a space and make it feel intentional and polished.” When it comes to the hardware finish, Nielsen goes for antique brass. And don’t forget the doorknocker: Schumacher, for instance, scored a cool Moroccan number for her own residence that lends a unique flair.

Alyssa Bird is a New York−based freelance writer and editor with experience covering architecture, interior design, travel, hospitality, and real estate. She has held editorial positions at Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, and New York Cottages &Gardens. When she’s not writing about dreamy spaces, you can find her tweaking the decor in her own Brooklyn home, honing her green thumb, testing out a new recipe, or scouring for antiques.

108 photos (real) and 5 Ideas

Many people pay too much attention to the design of the hallway, forgetting that every room in the apartment should be functional, and the appearance of the interior is far from the first place. Let's take a quick look at design theory, then see real photos of functional hallways.

5 apartment hallway design ideas0007
Entrance hall in a modern style: photos of errors is NOT built on finishing. There are almost no free walls, so the main thing is how you design the furniture.
Modern hallway design can only be maintained with built-in furniture. Details about the layout rules with a bunch of diagrams and photos: Entrance hall for a narrow corridor. nine0011
the number of items in the hallway rolls over, repairs will never be too simple. It is important not to overdo it, so we take minimalism as a basis.
We strictly limit the number of colors to 3 (white, black/grey, wood). Why? We consider: the inner lining of the front door, the door trim, rug, floor, wardrobe, clothes in it, shoes, walls, switches, intercom, ceiling. All this has its own colors, moreover, the rug is either gray or black, the ceiling and the intercom are white, the floor is often wood-like - i.e. these colors are always there. If you add bright colors to the design of the hallway, you will get porridge. About the color in the interior. nine0011
If you want a modern, beautiful entryway with a twist, invest in a built-in wardrobe and hidden LED lighting (see photo).

And right away with an example. The best photos of the interior design:

Let's start with the finishes of T.K. it is done at the first stage of repairing the hallway, but already on it you need to imagine how the furniture will be located. Often the finishing of most of the walls is limited to a primer. will still be covered by cabinets. nine0003

Hallway wall decoration

There is a golden rule: a lot of space - a lot of design, little space - fuck design , think about functionality. Therefore, we will break the story about the decoration in the hallway into 2 points.

Small hallway design

When the size of the hallway is small, you don't need to think about how to make it beautiful. You need to think about how to make it functional and neat. This means that wall decoration should be limited to the choice of strictly one material in a neutral color. Wall decoration options in the hallway:

Soft decorative plaster in a practical color (gray, black, sand).
Decorative brick (required for the entire wall, no corners, it's 2021 outside!).
Paintable wallpaper in the same soothing colour, without the aggressive pattern.
Simply painted walls in white, light grey, or another very pale color (no dark paint colors!).

For the walls in the hallway, we put decorative plaster first because it is the most practical material. In a small hallway, you will constantly rub against the walls with outerwear, bring and take away some items, no, no, and touch the wall with shoes or something dirty from the street. And it is decorative plaster that is not afraid of all this: it is durable, it can be washed, because of the texture, small spots are not visible on it. Decorative brick has the same advantages, it shares the first place with plaster. nine0003

The main criterion for choosing a wall material for a small hallway is practicality.

In second place is wallpaper for painting, and not just paint, although the wallpaper looks worse. But we now know that practicality is more important than appearance. And paint is one of the most impractical materials for wall decoration. Just do not use wallpaper with drawings and patterns - this is the last century, maximum light texture.

In last place is the paint, although it looks modern and stylish, but not very practical. In fact, the paint on the walls does not like it at all when someone or something touches it, and in a small hallway this will happen all the time. The most impractical black and any dark paint. There is a so-called “writing effect”, when any touch to dark paint leaves traces on it (like on velor). Moreover, the paint is applied over light primer and putty, so any chip on dark paint exposes white primer, which will be striking in contrast. nine0003

Conclusion: in a small hallway, just choose 1 material and 1 color and decorate all visible parts of the walls with it. If your hallway is very small, read my material about the design of a small hallway, there are many tricky ideas.

Also study the question of how to make the floor in the hallway and the ceiling in the hallway (the beginning of the article is sarcasm, painful).

Modern hallway design

If you have a large apartment and as a result a large entrance hall, or if you just made a redevelopment and added it to the room, then the situation is already changing. nine0003

When the space allows, you can really think about several finishing materials, but observing the criterion for choosing zones: we finish places where there is a possibility of contact with walls with the most practical material (in descending order of practicality, decorative plaster -> wallpaper -> paint), the rest of the walls are already in depending on the chosen design style.

It is important to understand that even on a large area, the hallway remains more of a technical room. No need to try to implement all design ideas here , picked up on the Internet. In some places, mediocrity even write, they say, you need to make a fancy entrance hall in order to surprise guests and cause a wow effect. What kind of guests, I wonder, couriers? Everyone else will obviously go further into the apartment and see the rest of the rooms. And in general, the desire to surprise someone or make it “expensive” usually ends sadly. You need to do it stylishly, tastefully and as simply as possible.

The design of an entrance hall in an apartment is, first of all, the ability to balance the full implementation of its technical functions, and secondly, try to make its interior stylish. The main thing is not to overdo it with the second. nine0003

Furniture layout

4 must-have items that every hallway should have:

Height mirror
At least 2 open hangers
Place to sit down
Open space for shoes, of course

Pictured below is the perfect hallway cabinet:

Note that there is no wardrobe among the 4 items. Only the lazy did not write about him, but the truth is that sliding wardrobes have long been out of fashion. They stayed somewhere in the 2000s. In most interiors of modern hallways, they will look like an artifact from the past. If you still want to use a wardrobe in your hallway, then at least do not make it ordinary. Do not use chipboard under a tree, this is what is most often chosen, and it has already become boring. Use chipboard with no texture at all, e.g. white:

Going out of the apartment, you always want to take a quick look at yourself and make sure that this skirt is not full or the fly is buttoned up (whatever). That is why the mirror in the hallway should be full-length.

A pair of open hangers is used to store everyday outerwear, which most people don't have much of. Climbing into the closet for everyday clothes is not always convenient, secondly, outerwear can be wet, and hanging wet clothes in a closed closet is a bad idea. Things of guests are also more convenient not to hide far away. nine0003

A place to put on shoes while sitting should also be mandatory. Firstly, it’s stupidly more convenient, no matter how acrobats you are, and secondly, in trying to put on shoes while standing, either you or, rest assured, your guests will definitely lean on the wall and get it dirty, and you will hate them. I think there is no need to explain about the open place for shoes either. Shoes can be wet and dirty, dragging them around the apartment is not a good idea, the closer to the entrance there is a place in the hallway, the better. Well, as you already understood from the photo, the last two points in reality complement each other. Open bench with space for shoes underneath. We also sell ready made shoes. nine0003

Vertical zoning of furniture allows you to fit all things in a minimal area. Previously, only mezzanines were used from this, although even now the mezzanine can be quite competently entered into the design of the hallway in the apartment: . nine0003

The interior of the entrance hall in the apartment

The entrance hall in a modern style: photos of errors

Let's start with the mistakes made when designing the interior of the entrance hall. This is usually the most informative part. First, there will be a real photo, and already under it is a description of the error.

Isn't this mirror too small? Although okay, figs with him with the size, but why is it so high ?! Apparently the owners are practicing warm-up by jumping before going outside. We make the mirror larger and lower it lower. nine0003

The design of the cabinet is not bad, but it needs to be reflected horizontally. Make the closed high part further, and move the bench to the very entrance. Otherwise, the entrance is corny cramped. And if several guests come, how will they fit into such a narrow space? That's it. Well, they forgot the mirror, as in most of the photos in this article.

There is a place, but there is no mirror - a mess. Nothing prevented hanging a full-length mirror to the right of the door or removing a couple of coat hooks. nine0003

Well, our favorite hallway, no comments.

Perfect hallway design photo

Our winners, whose hallways are designed using all recommendations from the article, even mirrors!

there is often a corridor behind the hallway, read our article about the design of the corridor in the apartment. We hope our tips and photos shed some light on the design of hallways, and yours will turn out to be the most stylish and cool, good luck! nine0003

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Apartment entrance hall design: 116 photos of interiors, tips for arrangement

It may seem that the design of the entrance area does not require much effort - the premises are non-residential and generally walk-through, what could be simpler? But this is the face of the apartment, which forms the first - and most important - impression of it. What you need to consider when decorating the interior of a hallway of any size, we tell in this article.

Setting up the entrance area

Design highlights
Trendy styles
– Scandi
— Minimalism
– Modern
— Loft
— Neoclassic
— Provence
Color range
Finishing
Furniture
Ideas for different footage
— Up to 5 sq m
– 5-10 sq m
— From 10 sq m

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The interior of a hallway in an apartment should combine several qualities at once. nine0003

Aesthetics. The entrance hall is the first thing we see when we enter. So the situation immediately sets the tone for the whole design. It should be cozy and inviting, inviting to go further.
Practicality. This is a transit zone between the street and the house, so it will always be dirty and humid here. Add melting snow in winter, dry sand on the soles in summer, spring-autumn slush - we get a whole list of reasons for daily cleaning. This point must be taken into account when decorating the room. nine0011
Capacity. The main function of the hallway is storage. Here you need to place seasonal items, shoes, suitcases and bags, sometimes sports equipment. And also leave room for little things and casual outerwear. And most often you have to deal with limited footage.

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