Why Your Entryway Matters More Than Your Living Room—and How to Get It Right

Your entryway is the first thing guests will notice when they enter your home, so it's important that you get it right. Every decision you make in this space—from the color of the walls to the antiques on the console—will set the tone for what's to come. It should flow naturally with the rest of the home, giving friends and family a sense of your personal style and vision.

But is your entryway even more important than your living room? Both certainly play a big role, but you can certainly argue that the former makes a much bigger impression than the latter. Here, we asked interior designers for their thoughts on what makes an entryway sing—and why it's one of the most pivotal spaces in your home.

Why the Entryway Is Important

The entryway is often one of the smaller spaces in a home, and more of a transitional one—most guests won't spend more than a few moments here. However, despite its small footprint, this space is one of the most pivotal in any residence. "It's the first sentence of your home's story. It sets the tone for everything that follows," says Hayley Chavez, founder and principal of HLC Studio.

Living rooms are important, too, but you can definitely make the case that an entryway plays a much bigger role in the larger home. "A living room may be where guests gather, but the foyer creates anticipation and establishes the mood the moment someone walks through the door," says Trudy Stump, lead designer at Huff Harrington.

You never get a second chance at a first impression, after all—so your home should do it right.

How to Decorate

Your entryway should showcase your personality and your taste, but it shouldn't be too cluttered. It's a smaller space, so you don't want to cram the walls with photographs and artworks. "Pieces need to be considered and edited," says Anne Underwood, founder and principal of Underwood Interiors. "Striking the right balance is key."

So where should you start? Stump recommends anchoring the space with a statement piece—ideally one with character or a story. "From there, layer in warm lighting, texture, and thoughtful accessories," she says. "A rug, soft lamp light, and decorative accessories help create an entryway that feels inviting, rather than overly formal."

Color is an important factor, too. Don't go too bold or too out of the box: "The entry should feel like a warm exhale, not a stark announcement," says Chavez. However, the most important design element is that you love it, and that it feels like a natural part of your home. "If you don't love it, don't use it," adds Stump. "Your entryway should feel like an extension of you and your home's personality."

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Other Tips and Tricks

Make sure your entryway has room for a bit of storage, too. The space should look beautiful, but it should also have some functional elements. Stump recommends designating a key bowl for sunglasses and other small, everyday items—this will help reduce clutter elsewhere in the home.

However, don't overstyle your entryway so it feels like a showroom. "It immediately overpowers a welcoming aesthetic," says Chavez. "When an entry looks like a photoshoot—where every object is placed just so, and nothing is out of place—it doesn't feel like a home."

Above all, prioritize a lived-in look that feels in line with the rest of your home and reflects your personality. These principles will make guests feel welcome, and usher them into the living room just beyond.