5 Outdated Entryway Trends That Ruin a First Impression, According to Designers

Your entryway is your home’s opening line. It’s the first thing guests notice, and the place that you move through countless times each day. So when it’s weighed down by dated décor, oversized furniture, or tacky themes, the entire house can feel tired.

By contrast, the most inviting foyers feel open, intentional, and full of life. Swapping clutter and clichés for light, balance, and timeless details will help your entryway set the right tone. So which entryway trends should be left in the past? Here's what designers say to skip—and what to embrace instead.

The Cubby Bench

Once considered cozy and cute, the cubby bench just doesn't strike the right chord anymore. While this sort of drop-zone furniture may seem practical, it almost always creates visual clutter.

“[They] make the space feel chaotic—the opposite of what you want in a first impression,” says interior designer Peggy Haddad. The goal isn’t to sacrifice function, but to restore balance to the space.

Instead: Opt for a console table that spans at least two-thirds of the wall, styled with art and lighting for proportion. Keep shoes and coats tucked in a closet, or hang them on a sleek coat rack.

Faux Greenery and Quote Signs

Dusty faux eucalyptus stems and scripted “Family” signs once felt fresh and trendy, but today they come across as flat and impersonal.

Faux greenery not only collects dust, but also lacks the movement, scent, and authenticity that real branches bring to a space. And while word art may have had its moment, it rarely reflects the layered, personal feel that makes an entryway feel memorable.

Instead: Swap the plastic stems for fresh-cut or foraged branches in a simple vase. Organic shapes and seasonal foliage instantly add life and character.

Trade mass-produced word signs for artwork that tells your story, whether it’s a vintage landscape, a small abstract, or even a framed sketch. “Try leaning a landscape against the wall on your console and pairing it with a smaller abstract piece or a hand-drawn sketch," says interior designer Terri Brien. "The mix keeps it collected and personal without feeling cluttered."

Ornate Lighting

“Ornate light fixtures with heavy scrolls or frosted glass instantly date an entryway. They were popular twenty years ago, but today they make a space feel tired,” says interior designer Lauren Saab.

The effect is immediate—what should feel open and welcoming instead reads as dark, fussy, and weighed down.

Instead: “Swap it for a pendant or lantern with clean lines and clear glass,” says Saab. Think of lighting as the jewelry of your foyer: The right piece elevates everything else around it.

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Small Rugs

It’s tempting to assume a small space calls for a small rug, but that’s where most entryways go wrong.

“[They] make an entry feel awkward and unfinished. When the rug floats in the middle, the proportions are off,” says Saab. "Welcome” mats, too, are best left at the back door.

Instead: “Choose a runner or mat that spans the width of the door and grounds the space as soon as you step inside,” says Saab. A properly scaled rug adds warmth, defines the area, and creates an instant sense of arrival.

Themed Seasonal Décor

A few pumpkins in October can be charming, but scatter them everywhere and your entryway quickly shifts from festive to kitschy.

“Over-the-top holiday signage makes the space feel busy, and frankly cheap,” says Brien. The space will end up feeling more like a store display than a personal welcome.

Instead: Brien suggests layering in subtle seasonal nods that feel natural and intentional. Think: A small ottoman tucked under the entry table with a throw draped casually across it, a handmade ceramic bowl filled with pinecones or dried stems, or candles in complementary but slightly mismatched holders.