Styling the Entryway for a Great First Impression
Your entryway is the first chance your home has to make a statement. It sets the tone for everything that follows, whether you’re welcoming guests, hosting a showing, or simply coming home at the end of a long day. We treat the entryway as one of the most important styling opportunities in any home. It is small but mighty, functional but full of personality, and always worth a closer look.
Find structure with small furniture
A great entryway starts with structure. In a smaller space, a narrow console is often all you need. Style it with a single piece of decor that reflects your personality, then add a small drop tray for the everyday essentials you grab on your way out. Hanging a mirror above the console can brighten the space and give you that last look before you leave. If you have a bit more room to play with, swap the console for a bench. Add a decorative pillow, a few hooks on the wall for bags and jackets, and store shoes neatly underneath. A styled drop tray stacked over a coffee table book instantly elevates the vignette without adding clutter.
Avoid overcrowding
But even the best layouts will struggle if the entryway becomes a catchall. Shoes, coats, dog leashes, mail, keys, tote bags, umbrellas, kid gear… it adds up fast. This space naturally collects what moves in and out of the house daily, so seasonal decluttering is essential. Out-of-season shoes should be rotated out to make room for what you’re actually wearing. Coats should be swapped as the weather shifts, with lighter layers taking the spotlight in warm months and heavier jackets moving forward in the fall. When each season ends, decide what stays, what gets stored, and what can finally be donated. And if you’re selling your house, focus on the most minimal spread so as not to overwhelm a buyer stepping through the door.
Test organizational systems
Small organizational touches go a long way. Command hooks make it easy to keep coats and bags off the floor without the commitment of drilling into a wall. For families, adding a few lower hooks lets kids hang their own backpacks and jackets so the landing zone doesn’t fall entirely on adults. A designated spot for mail prevents paper from drifting throughout the home. A small outbound bin near the door becomes the home for library returns, dry cleaning, donations, or anything you need to remember to take with you. These simple systems create flow not just in the entryway, but across your whole space.
Make the best first impression
A well-styled entryway is not about perfection. It is about clarity, intention, and warmth. With the right balance of design and function, your entryway becomes a moment of calm, a moment of welcome, and a moment that makes a lasting first impression. If you’re preparing your home for sale or simply craving more order at home, start at the front door.