The holidays are coming! The holidays are coming!
There, I said it. Of course the holidays mean many things, including a revolving door of guests for those of us who like to entertain. Now is a great time to look at easy ways to make your home even more inviting, right from the first step through the front door.
Many Seattle homes don’t have a formal entry or foyer. The front door often opens right into the living room. If this is the case with your home, there are of plenty ways to create a defined entry space that is both beautiful and organized.
Make your own (entry) way with intentional furniture placement.
This can be as simple as placing your couch or a set of chairs with their back to the door to create the feeling and function of a hallway. Add a console or table to the mix to create structure and give you an organized spot to drop keys and mail when you walk in the door.
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Photo: 52 Mantels |
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Photo: Ikea |
Divide the space with a bookcase or other physical barrier.
A well-placed bookcase can do wonders for making good use of large or sprawling space. And as you know, a bookcase isn’t just for books anymore. Make a creative first impression by displaying art and other collectibles or add bins, baskets, or drawer inserts to keep things looking tidy.
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Photo: Sara Eizen on Houzz |
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Photo: Apartment Therapy |
Go up the wall!
Smart use of hooks, shelves, and benches along an entry wall may be all you need to define and organize your entry space. And with a little creativity, hooks can be both functional and artsy. They keep coats, backpacks, purses, and scarves off the floor and look cute, too. A small bench with a few baskets offers a resting place to take off shoes as well as a place to store them out of sight.
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Photo: Mix and Chic |
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Photo: Anthropologie |
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Photo: Anthropologie |
Send a rug to the rescue.
An area rug, or even a runner, visually frames the entryway and makes it distinct from the rest of the room. As with other small spaces, this is also a great way to add a splash of bold color or pattern that might feel too risky or overwhelming in a larger area.
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Photo: Apartment Therapy |
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Photo: Suddenly Inspired |
What are some of the ways you have created a warm welcome right inside your front door? Do tell! Share pics and tips to editor@seattleschild.com.
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Sara Eizen is a Seattle-based interior designer and home organizer with a passion for helping busy families reclaim style and space in their homes on any budget. In a bi-weekly column for Seattle's Child, Sara shares creative, fun, affordable tips and tricks for clearing clutter, sprucing up rooms with minimal effort, creating systems that simplify family life, and much more.
