What Should You Put In A Small Entryway? [7 Crucial Items]

When you first get a new home or apartment, you tend to think about bedroom and bathroom arrangements rather than what's going on in your entryway. That's why having a small entryway can pose a challenge; you might have a hard time figuring out what to put there to make your life easier. We have thoroughly researched this topic to determine the best ideas so we can share them with you!

Small entryways need to have furniture and tools that fit their sizing so that downsizing typical entryway items can help. The best items to keep in a small entryway include:

• A Mat
• A Small Table
• A Door Hanger Set
• Key Hooks
• A Small Stool/Bench
• A Small Shoe Rack
• An Air Freshener

Choosing the right items for your entryway will help keep your home cleaner and reduce the amount of work you have to do while maintaining your home. Not sure where to get the best items for your entryway, or what you should insist upon having? This guide's here to help make shopping a breeze.

What Should You Add To A Small Entryway?

If you have a small entryway, you might feel underserved by the space that you have to remove your items. The good news is that you are going to be able to get some use from your area. It's all about knowing how to get the most of your space. These items below can help you make the most of your small space. 

A Floor Mat

The first thing that you are going to need to get is a mat. It's the number one tool you'll need to keep your entryway clean, reduce the amount of mud that ends up on your flooring, and keep your entryway looking sharp. It'll protect laminate flooring and wood flooring alike, too. A good mat will be stylish, easy to clean, and absorbent.

If possible, try to find a mat that works with your home's decor and has fibers designed to sanitize your shoes. Stain-resistant mats are your best bet!

Click to get this sanitizing mat from Amazon.

A Small Table

If you can fit a small table in your entryway, do it. This serves double-duty. It acts to add a decorative splash to your entryway and gives you a safe place to store keys and knickknacks. A small end table is usually what works best here since it's petite enough to fit into smaller areas.

When choosing a table, remember that you're probably going to have a point in your life that you're going to have wet or muddy stuff on top of it. Therefore, choosing a model that's metal or highly polished wood would be the best move. After all, those surfaces are easy to clean. 

Click here to get this end table from Amazon. 

Door Hangers

When you're working with a small entryway, you have to start thinking of using higher up areas on your walls, rather than spaced out. Door hangers "add" space by giving you an open area to hang your clothes behind your front door. It's a no-brainer, especially if you don't have an entryway closet.

Click here to get this door hanger from Amazon.

Key Hooks

Another way to build "up" rather than out is to install key hooks on the side of your wall near your door. This is an ideal way to make sure you don't lose your keys and always have them in sight. The best thing about key hooks is that you can have them match your sense of style and utility needs. 

If you're a stickler for keeping things tidy, we suggest getting a key hook that also doubles as a mail sorter. There are plenty to choose from online, including ones that are meant for smaller entryways. It's often better to get one that is easy to mount to the wall, such as the one below. 

Click here to get this key hook series from Amazon.

A Small Stool/Bench

When you use your entryway correctly, you'll want to take off your shoes there. Doing that can get a little tricky if you don't have a stool or a bench. Depending on how much room you have, try to aim for a bench. If your entryway is too petite, go for a small stool---if only because it'll make it easier for you to avoid falling over while you remove your shoes.

Get this Satori stool from Amazon.

A Small Shoe Rack

Another must-have for people who have the room is a shoe rack, ideally with a flat platform to give your shoes a place to dry without getting your floor wet. Sadly, some entryways are extremely small and unable to give enough space for a standard rack. If this is the case, you may need to place it outside of your entryway, away from the mat.

When picking a shoe rack, you want to find one with space for at least three pairs of shoes per person. This guarantees you'll have enough space for your regular daily wear. 

Click here to get this shoe rack from Amazon.

An Air Freshener

Did you ever notice how bad shoes and coats smell after you take them off during a hot or exceedingly rainy day? If so, you're not alone. Foul odors can easily foul up your day, even if you think they're relegated to the entryway. Even if your entryway is small, it's just a wise idea to have something that can cover up or neutralize odors. 

While you could always grab a Febreze bottle or a "pull apart" disposable air freshener, it might be better to go with a fragrance lamp. This is a lamp that burns fragrant alcohol-oil, which, in turn, kills the bacteria that cause foul smells and makes your home smell great. These lamps look like stylish bottles, making them a great centerpiece for an entryway table in a small room.

Click here to get a fragrance lamp gift set. 

If you are more of a fan of traditional odor reduction methods, then it's best to work with a scented candle with a nice, complementary color. For example, this pumpkin spice candle from Yankee Candle tends to be strong enough to work almost any entryway's scent game.

Click here to purchase this candle.

How Do I Feng Shui My Entryway?

Feng Shui has specific rules for entryways. They include:

• Remove clutter.
• Add plant life to your entryway to encourage personal growth.
• Let lots of light in, and choose bright lighting.
• Place mirrors perpendicular to your door, as to avoid blocking chi.
• Make sure that your door works well since it's said to channel your home's energy.
• To add some more good luck, add a collection of crystals near the doorway.

What Is The Best Color For An Entryway?

 Lightly colored walls have a room-expanding appeal that will help prevent your entryway from feeling cramped, cluttered, and tight. This is why most smaller entryways are painted white, cream, or light grey. If you have to choose one color for your room, go with white. It works with every style.

How Do You Make A Small Entryway Look Bigger?

When it comes to giving the illusion of a larger entryway, you can use a couple of tricks. 

Less is more when it comes to "stuff."

In a large entryway, you might have the luxury of adding a potted plant nearby or getting a nice large shelf for all your knickknacks. This isn't the case with small entryways. Clutter becomes very noticeable in small areas, so keep excess items to a minimum. 

Try to keep a unified theme. 

Even though it's your entryway, there's still going to be a need to keep your decoration theme unified. People will notice if you have an entryway that's got decorations from all different walks of life. Having a streamlined look will make your entryway classy and even a little more spacious in appearance.

Keep it clean.

Remember that your number one goal is cleanliness. Small entryways are notorious for being a pain to clean. That's why you need to think about what items will be easy to wipe down, vacuum, or straighten up.

Use Windows

Having wide open and minimally covered windows will help you max out your entryway's look and feel. 

How Do You Make An Entryway When There Is None?

Though rare, there are homes out there with an entryway that's six square feet or less in size. When this happens, trying to fit your shoes and coats in the area might not be feasible. Thankfully, there are some options that you can consider...

Expand Your Storage Into Your Living Room

Your entryway's big issue is that you should use it to prevent tracking mud into your living room. So focus on just placing a mat, a door hanger, and some key hooks in your room. If you can, take off your shoes and carry them to a rack right outside the entryway in a small corner of your living room. 

Cover Your Patio (Or Expand)

If you're really not feeling the minimalist look, consider covering your patio or adding an expansion to your home. A covered patio can double as a highly durable, downright massive entryway. Though expensive, adding a sunroom or even an extra couple of feet to your entryway through a knocked-down wall can and will solve your entryway space problems permanently. 

Don't Sweat It

Most homes will have at least one or two quirks that their owners get annoyed over for one reason or another. Sometimes, it's a matter of having super steep stairs. Other times, it's the fact that the garage isn't attached to your place. If you don't have the money to fix your entryway, don't sweat it. Sometimes, focusing on the rest of your home's awesome features will be better. 

Conclusion

Whenever you're working with a tight space, you need to think about sticking to the bare minimum. This is especially true when dealing with entryways with less than 12 square feet of space. If an item isn't drying, deodorizing, acting as storage, or making your cleaning time easier, it probably doesn't belong in your entryway. 

Should you find yourself in a situation where your entryway is tiny, you might have to move many of the items traditionally stored there into your living room. If that doesn't appeal to you, you can always think about expanding your entryway through the use of a patio, sunroof, or interior renovation. After all, it's your home, and you deserve to turn it into the building of your dreams.