Entry gives guests first impression of home’s style
What lies behind a home's closed door is always an intriguing, if not, mysterious prospect. And whether apartment dweller or homeowner, it's a safe bet that your home has some kind of an entry or entry hall making it the very first thing that visitors notice once the door to your private world has been opened.
It's the entry hall that should give people their initial impression of what the design theme of your home is, as well as the kind of style you're hoping to convey. This makes it a key component of a home's overall impact and an important space that should be taken seriously by any design aficionado.
Whether your entry is small or spacious, you should take into consideration the same factors as in any interior design project such as feature walls, space, color schemes, decorations and accessories. Often a simpler, less cluttered look is a good way to go as entry halls do tend to be on the small side. This approach will help make the space feel bigger than it really is. One large piece of art, a tapestry or a large mirror can make a decorative statement while keeping it simple.
This was clearly the case with my former home in the Hollywood hills that nested high on a mountaintop and featured only a long blank wall as you entered the narrow hallway, space being a premium in this kind of dwelling. The problem was to make the space appear deeper and larger than it really was. The solution was to mirror the wall opposite the door from floor to ceiling, install bright halogen wall sconces directly on the mirror as well as to hang a large framed mirror between the sconces. And presto, the entry was suddenly significantly more glamorous and appeared twice as large. It works every time -- mirror and the right kind of lighting are key ingredients when faced with a small space.
On the other hand, my home here in Las Vegas does feature an entry hall (one of the things that I love about it) and thus affords space for a major design statement that is the first glimpse at the mostly eclectic furnishings throughout the home featuring many of the accessories collected by my wife and I through the years and our travels to different parts of the world, especially to Asia.
A contemporary home that I recently designed has an entry hall that welcomes guests with its refined, elegant clean lines furnished sparingly (but oh so tastefully) with a representational painting hung over a bench so perfectly in tune that the seating actually appears to be a part of the artwork. The large window opposite the door, with its glorious view of the city along with a sculpture on a simple wood pedestal, completes the introduction to the home and the overall feel and taste level of the décor.
Another home, whose owner has a lifelong love of beauty and art, features an entry that would rival most any gallery's inventory with its numerous bronzes on pedestals. Featuring countless sculptures and walls literally adorned with paintings from floor to ceiling, it provides a guest's initial introduction to the home's art-filled rooms and the first tantalizing glimpse at a design theme that's brilliantly executed throughout.
But what do you do if your home or apartment doesn't have a distinctive entry space and you still would like to give the impression that it does? This is usually the case when the front door opens directly into the living area. Actually, this dilemma can be solved very simply by adding an area rug (its size to be determined by the space) as well as some kind of a unit featuring open shelves or even a console table or sofa -- any type of piece that will allow for light to come through and serve as some kind of a divider without suffocating the space.
Color, of course, always plays such an important role in interior design. So be sure to use it in your entry in wall coverings, furniture or rugs that can make a bold statement. Color actually influences the mood of a space like nothing else, with warm colors being the most welcoming of all. Paint the entry in a rich, light-reflecting color as dark entries are often unappealing. Carry that shade into the adjoining rooms to help with continuity.
If you have a dated entry that looks gloomy and unfriendly, it really can be successfully brightened up and redesigned with light, functional furniture, accessories (clear glass is great), plants that can help bring a space to life as well as modern paint colors.
Nothing sets the tone for the rest of your home's décor while making a powerful first impression than your entry hall. Don't neglect it and keep its design simple and uncluttered, bearing in mind that any entry can be transformed into a beautiful and inviting space with the right decorating ideas. It shouldn't be a catchall but rather a welcoming hug for your guests.
Stephen Leon is a licensed interior designer and president of Soleil Design; he has been designing and manufacturing custom furniture and cabinetry for more than 25 years. He has served on the board of directors of the Central California/Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and is a certified professional in green residential design. Questions can be sent to soleildesign@cox.net.
