Your entryway makes a far bigger aesthetic statement than you might expect it to. When a person first sets foot into your home, your entryway is going to be what dictates the mood and overall ambiance of your home. That's why everything makes a difference when you're trying to make the right impression, including the size of your entryway.
The general rule of thumb for an entryway's size is to keep it at around two to four percent of your home's total square footage. So if your home is 1000 square feet, your entryway should be between 20 and 40 square feet. This means that an appropriate entryway example would start at around four feet by five feet in length.
The problem that many people face with entryways is that they don't always have enough space. Sometimes, they might want to add some more visual space to have a better ambiance.
![Beautiful and spacious entryway, How Big Should An Entryway Be? [And How To Make It Look Bigger]](https://homedecorbliss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/How-Big-Should-An-Entryway-Be-And-How-To-Make-It-Look-Bigger-683x1024.jpg)
How Should You Choose The Size Of Your Entryway?
The range between two and four percent of the total house size is a good rule of thumb, but there's a little more that you should know. The biggest issue is always going to be usability. If you have a tiny home, the biggest issue you need to consider is how much space you need to make sure people get their shoes off and comfortably enter your home.
How To Make A Small Entryway Look Bigger
Have a cramped or petite entryway? You might need to "expand" it using items that help make an entryway look bigger. While we have an article on making a small room look bigger that can help, some tips can improve your overall look. The best tips include:
- Add windows and mirrors to help open up your entryway. Both entryway mirrors and windows are linked to tricking the eye into making your entryway look larger and "pushes" the walls back.
- Go for larger furniture. Counterintuitively, this can make your entryway look bigger by just choosing items of a larger size.
- Choose white and monochrome looks. This employs the same visual tricks you can use to open up a small entryway. A good example would be the picture above.
How Do You Make An Entryway In A Small Space?
If you don't have much room for an entryway, or if your home opens up directly into your living room, you might have difficulty making an entryway. However, there are still things you can do to make it a place where people can settle in. The best thing to do is to have entryway furniture and items near your door. This demarcates the entryway while keeping things open.
Some people have also used bookcases and shelves as a partition to fence off their own entryway. By creating their own foyer, homeowners can improve the overall flow of their home.
What Is The Difference Between An Entryway And A Foyer?
These two terms are often used interchangeably by both homeowners and interior designers, but they aren't always the same. Entryways are generally considered to be the entrance areas of a house. They can be separate rooms or hallways. Foyers are longer hallways that can be used to enter other rooms, professional buildings like theaters, and homes.
Both can refer to the entrance of a home, sure, but the connotations can be different. Foyers are generally considered to be the more ornate of the two. Entryways, on the other hand, have a connotation of a "mudroom."
What Do You Put In A Large Entryway?
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![Beautiful and spacious entryway, How Big Should An Entryway Be? [And How To Make It Look Bigger]](https://homedecorbliss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Beautiful-and-spacious-entryhall-1024x683.jpg)
A large entryway should have the same things as a small entryway. The only difference is the style and size of said objects. You will need to make sure there are the following items to facilitate the entryway's use. The bare minimum include:
A Shoe Rack
Unless you're alright with having people track mud from outside into your home, you're going to need to have a shoe rack. Ideally, it'll be a shoe rack with a platform that prevents mud from falling to the floor. An eco-friendly bamboo rack that doubles as a table is a good start.
Click here to get this bamboo rack from Amazon.
A Door Hook Set
If you have a closet, you can usually store coats if you don't mind a little odor or clutter. However, door hooks tend to be a better option for most since they allow coats to dry faster and reduce the odor of wet clothing.
Click here to get this door hook from Amazon.
A Bench With Storage
Let's face it, trying to get all the little knickknacks we use in our day-to-day lifestyles is a little bit of a hassle. So is taking off our shoes when we're wearing multi-layered outfits. To make things easier, most large entryways (and smaller ones, too!) are best suited to have a small bench with some storage underneath.
Click here to get this storage bench from Amazon.
A Rug/Mat
Even if you have a carpet underneath your feet, you still need to make sure that you have a way to keep your place clean. The mud and grit that shoes track in is no laughing matter. We suggest getting a dirt-trapping mat or rolling carpet.
How Do You Style An Entryway?
Styling your entryway doesn't have to be rocket science, but it does have to employ a little strategy. Your goal is to cram as much form and function as possible without getting things too cramped or too spacious with an entryway. These guidelines can help you make the most of your entryway.
Don't Let People Get Lost.
If you have a particularly large entryway, you want to make sure that people won't feel extremely spaced out when they're in the entryway. Entryways are supposed to be cozy! To combat this, add extra furniture, such as chairs, tables, and artwork. These will help "close up" a larger area.
One of the better ways to add some extra closeness is to have a visually striking entryway chandelier. Just make sure to choose the right size for your place!
Keep It In Line With Your Overall Style
The best way to make sure that your home doesn't look like a jarring contrast is to keep the style from your living room (or wherever your entryway opens up) in line with the entryway. So if you have a contemporary living room, extend the style to your entryway too. Do the same with the color scheme and theme. It'll add continuity.
Always Get A Rug
Even if you think you have the nices carpet in the world, your entryway needs to have a rug. Rugs are what keep you from having to spend money on professional carpet cleaning. They also add a nice touch to any home and help direct traffic in and out of your home.
Style With Clutter Removal In Mind
No matter how big or small your entryway is, your main goal should be to reduce clutter and reduce cleaning time. Both can be done by choosing home furnishings that hide stuff in drawers, cabinets, or storage boxes. By keeping your area looking clean, you make it easy to feel at ease and protect your belongings from dust, grime, and debris.
Conclusion
If you're looking to style your entryway, it's important to put the function to the forefront rather than size. However, if you're working on aesthetics, the best thing you can do is pick out items that help grow or shrink the room's size to your liking. As long as it doesn't look too big or too cramped, your home will feel right as rain.