17 Small Entryway Ideas That Are Shockingly Stylish (And Super Practical)

An entryway is one of those places that doesn’t seem like a top priority when you’re decorating. It’s usually a space that you put off, then maybe decorate halfway with a mirror or a shoe rack so it doesn’t feel so empty.
And if your entryway is small, it might just seem like it’s not even worth the effort to decorate. But no matter how tight of a space you’re working with, your entryway is the first thing that you see when you come home, so if nothing else, it should be comforting and inviting.
This post is going to show you all of the best small entryway ideas from small entryway ideas apartment, small entryway ideas storage, small entryway ideas decor, and more.
If you thought your small entryway was a lost cause, you’ll be singing a different toon after you read this post. There is a lot more potential in that tight dark entryway than you think… you just need the right inspiration to show you all of the possibilities. 😉
This post is all about the best small entryway ideas that will make you love walking through the door every day.
Best Small Entryway Ideas:
1. Make it Homey
Copy this small entryway idea:
No matter what you decide to do with your entryway, one of the easiest ways to make it feel comfortable and inviting, is by adding homey touches.
Things like candles, fresh flowers, maybe even a personal photo, will help you feel at ease the second you come home. Personal touches never fail to make any space feel like home – and that’s exactly what you want.
Because no matter how small of a space you’re working with, you always have room to sprinkle in a few cozy items.
2. Sneak in Storage
One of the biggest struggles with any small space, is figuring out a way to fit in storage without making it feel claustrophobic.
But as far as entryways go, most people need some kind of storage to house their shoes or somewhere to put their keys when they come through the door.
Spoiler alert: shoes take up a ton of space! So your best bet is to get something that doesn’t stick out too much from the wall and still gives you walking room.
That’s where a shoe cabinet comes in – it’s not as bulky as your average shoe rack, it can hold several pairs of shoes, and it just looks like a cute little console table at a glance (no one will be able to tell it’s hiding all of your sneakers and slippers!).
3. Choose a Slim Console Table
Speaking of console tables, you’re going to want to make sure the table you choose is appropriate for your small space. Nothing is worse than trying to cram furniture into a space that just doesn’t have the room for it.
Of course you want a cute console table, but more importantly, you want one that is practical and compliments your entryway.
There are a lot of stylish console tables to choose from that work well in small spaces. And depending on your entryway layout, you might be able to fit in a narrow, but longer console table to give you more surface area to decorate and use for storage.
4. Use a Mirror to Brighten the Space
Mirrors are going to be your best friend when it comes to small spaces! If there is one way to brighten up any area of your home while simultaneously making it feel bigger, it’s with a mirror.
Circle mirrors are always a go-to for entryway spaces since the soft edges are a good contrast against any rectangle-shaped console tables (they also don’t take up a ton of room), but truly any mirror will do.
This is also an opportunity for you to work in a statement piece that also serves another purpose. If you don’t have a whole lot going on in your entryway, maybe a mirror with bolder edges or a funky shape will bring your space to life and give it a more playful feel.
5. Work in Modern Touches
A lot of people shy away from more modern pieces because they’re afraid it will make their space feel too cold or minimal. But the truth is, minimal pieces work really well in small spaces (even better when they’re accompanied by cozy touches)!
Truth be told, you don’t have to go one way or the other. You can style your entryway with a combination of modern pieces that keep things simple, while layering in textures and cozy accents for a cozy balance – it’s the best of both worlds!
6. Swap the Table for a Stool
As cute as it is to have a console table in your entryway, if you simply don’t have the space, a small stool is a great substitute.
And even though you might not be able to fit in as much decor as you would like, there are still a lot of different ways you can style a cute stool that will bring sophistication and color to your entryway.
Don’t underestimate small furniture pieces, they can be more effective at decorating a space than bigger, bulkier options.
7. Cozy it Up With a Cushioned Bench
A cushioned bench is a sure way to make your entryway feel inviting! I mean, there is nothing that feels cozier than a nice place to sit and take off your shoes when you walk in the door.
Yes, a bench like this is decorative, but it also serves as a functional piece that allows you entryway to be used as an additional space to sit down and decompress after coming home (even if it’s just while you’re taking off your shoes).
This is also super helpful when you have guests over so they’re not struggling to take their shoes off while balancing on one foot (we’ve all been there!).
8. Decorate With Florals
Any type of floral arrangement or greenery is the secret to brightening up a small space. And for people who like to stick with more neutral furniture and decor, this is a great way to incorporate some life while still keeping everything super natural and subtle.
Plus, when you have greenery or florals front and center, you really don’t have to do a whole lot else with the decor to make your space feel homey and inviting.
9. Hang a Vertical Gallery Wall
When you don’t have a whole lot of horizontal space, go vertical! What you do with your wall space can make the biggest difference. No matter if you have a small shoe rack on the floor, or nothing at all, when you decorate your wall, you don’t need furniture to fill the space.
And for entryways that feel almost impossible to decorate with any kind of furniture or storage solutions, decorating the wall with artwork, picture frames, mirrors, or a combination of all three, is what’s going to erase the dull dark feeling, and bring your space to life!
10. Add Personal Touches
Personal touches are a guaranteed way to make any apartment or house feel like a home! It’s your way of marking your space and putting down your roots. Something as simple as a few pictures hanging on the wall will do wonders!
And creating a family and family photo wall is as simple as getting a few matching picture frames, choosing your layout, and adding a gallery light or two (optional of course) to illuminate the space.
It’s simple, it’s easy, it’s affordable, and the finished product will bring a smile to your face every time you walk in your front door!
11. Keep it Minimal
Minimal isn’t always a bad thing, and it definitely doesn’t have to be boring! I think a lot of people immediately think of super stale, cold spaces when they think of minimal.
But in this case, minimal just means keeping things simple and not overextending your entryway with unnecessary furniture and decor.
Be intentional with the pieces you choose for your entryway, and error on the side of minimal and clean versus overcrowded (you can always add more to your space as you’re living in it).
12. Embrace the Textures
Texture is something that will add dimension and character to any room. So incorporating it in even the tightest of spaces will give your entryway a more sophisticated feel.
Things like wicker baskets and woven materials are also great for cozying up any space and adding warmth back in to contrast with brighter palettes and furniture pieces.
13. Let the Art Speak for Itself
Art is the perfect way to spice up your entryway! You can recreate this idea with or without furniture, and either way it will look amazing. Mixing art with some framed photos is the perfect way to make your space feel elegant and personal.
And when you’re using big canvases and frames like the inspiration above, you don’t have to put too much into the decor around it since you already have your statement pieces.
14. Create a Moody Atmosphere
Suddenly small spaces don’t seem so bad when they have the right lighting and decor that make them feel quaint instead of tiny.
When I think of a moody atmosphere, I tend to think of a speakeasy, where it’s cozy and the lighting is easy on your eyes. There’s usually some fun artwork and some unique decor pieces that add to the whole environment too.
So instead of treating your tight entryway like a dark dungeon, lean into it and use the lack of natural light to embrace a fun low-light setup that sets the mood the minute you walk through your door.
15. Add a Stool
If you’re not sure what to put under your console table to fill the empty void, add a stool! It’s a cute touch that makes your entryway feel more put-together and planned out.
Plus, it doesn’t take up any additional space, just puts the finishing touch on your entryway table and provides another place to sit and take off your shoes when yourself or guests walk through the door.
16. Hang Your Own Hooks
Hanging your own hooks gives you the flexibility to position them exactly how you want. Which might not seem like a big deal, but when you can space out your hooks (compared to a unit of hooks) it gives you a lot more room to hang bags and coats without you items ending up piled on top of each other.
You can also get creative with the positioning of the hooks – staggering them to create different levels and heights. You definitely have more customizability with this option.
17. Add a Floating Shelf
A floating shelf might be all you need to take your entryway to the next level (preferably one with hooks). When you don’t want to crowd your walking path with furniture, you’re going to want to turn to the walls.
And with a floating shelf that also doubles as storage, you’re able to decorate and organize at the same time. Multi-purpose pieces are the key to getting the most out of small spaces!
This post was all about the best small entryway ideas that will make you love walking through the door every day.
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