How to Make a Small Entryway Bigger

Your entryway is the first place you and your guests walk into your home. A small entryway could present a challenge when it comes to adding entryway decor, shoe storage, and other essentials you want in the space. However, there are several small entryway ideas to brighten the space and make it feel roomier—it's all about being strategic with decorating and organizing.

12 Small Entryway Ideas to Maximize Space

1. Upgrade the Door
2. Strategically Place Mirrors
3. Give It a New Coat of Paint
4. Change the Layout
5. Update the Window Coverings
6. Add New Light Fixtures
7. Make Room for Clutter
8. Use Wall Space Strategically
9. Add Decor or Artwork
10. Brighten the Floors
11. Place a Runner
12. Opt for Minimalism

An entryway to a home is multifunctional. Families use this space to store shoes, backpacks, and coats and offer a decorative and inviting transition from outside in. But a small entryway often requires a different strategy than larger spaces to make it fully functional, especially for a family.

Fortunately, there are many easy tweaks you can make to your entry room to maximize the space, from small entryway furniture ideas to small entryway storage ideas. Adding a coat hanger, minimalistic entryway table, or a small entryway bench to a narrow hallway can seem like a challenge, but if you're careful about sizing and layout, it's totally possible to make your small entryway work for you while adding the furniture and organizers you need.

12 Small Entryway Ideas to Maximize Space

The following small entryway ideas are ones you can try in your space to make it appear larger and feel bigger while adding functionality for your family:

1. Upgrade the Door

Want a simple way to boost your small entry space? One of the best decorating ideas is to upgrade the door. Doors that take up a lot of space when they swing open can make your small entryway feel cramped as you enter and exit. Switching that door for one that works better in your narrow foyer might be just what you need to maximize space.

Adding double front entry doors is one option. You can also add windows to allow extra to brighten up the space. You can even open just one door at a time to save space on either wall.

You might also consider a pivot door. These unique doors pivot in the middle, rather than swing open on either side, saving wall space. Pivot doors are generally more affordable than double front entry doors.

Don't have a new door in the budget? Try a new coat of paint on your door. Some of the best front door colors are bright and welcoming, which are also great for opening up your entryway.

2. Strategically Place Mirrors

A common trick for making small rooms appear larger is adding a mirror or two to the walls. And you can do the same for your entryway! Essentially, the addition of a strategically placed mirror plays tricks with our eyes to make the area feel roomier.

Try adding a full-length mirror near a coat rack. Or, place a large, round mirror over a small entryway bench or table. You can also play around with a few smaller mirrors to get the aesthetic you want.

Anything goes when it comes to mirrors, so this tactic can be an easy, budget-friendly idea to improve your small space. They'll open up the space no matter which type of mirror you use, so pick a design and placement you love.

3. Give It a New Coat of Paint

Many interior decorators will agree that painting the walls is one of the best small front entryway ideas. A fresh coat of paint won't take long in a small space, and it's a project you can typically accomplish for $40 or less.

Find a bright, welcoming color you love. White walls and other bright colors work to open up the room and let light reflect off it, but you can also use bright blues, greens, purples, yellows, and other shades. If possible, look for paint with an eggshell or satin finish, both of which give the paint a little shine for durability and light reflection.

4. Change the Layout

Don't have much to spend on all-new furniture to make your small entryway ideas come true? Consider changing the layout of your tiny entryway instead. Simply moving a small table or changing an accent wall could be all your entryway needs to appear bright and open.  

Consider removing some entryway furniture or placing a table or bench on a side wall instead of close to or across from the door. This could help make the space feel less cramped when entering.

There are also plenty of design ideas on Pinterest and instructions for DIY furniture to transform your entryway. Don’t be afraid to try a project or two to get the layout you want.

5. Update the Window Coverings

Does your entryway seem dark and uninviting? Your window coverings could be casting a shadow over the space that makes it feel smaller than it actually is. Adding more lighting is an excellent way to brighten the space, but light fixtures can quickly raise the budget. However, allowing more natural light into your home can instantly put you in a good mood as you walk out the door.

Consider removing window coverings from your entryway if they won't interfere with your home's privacy. If that's not an option, look for lighter, opaque curtains or blinds that you can easily open or close to let sunlight shine in.

You can also add a transom window to sneak a little more natural light into your small entryway.

6. Add New Light Fixtures

Not all entryways have windows (or even enough wall space to add a window), which is where light fixtures come in. Many small entryway lighting ideas fit within a variety of budgets and create different looks. No matter what, your small entryway can instantly brighten with an additional light or two.

Recessed lighting is a popular option for a narrow entryway. It won't take up wall space or overhead space, but it still adds ample lighting. Budget for about $200 per light fixture, plus the cost of labor to add them. A budget-friendly option is a small table lamp on an entry table, or a floor lamp placed in a corner.

7. Make Room for Clutter

The entrance to a home can easily become filled with clutter. Ideally, shoes, jackets, umbrellas, sports gear, and backpacks should have their own space to prevent clutter from taking over an already small room.

When it comes to small entryway design ideas, adding cubbies and other organization tools can help with functionality and tidiness. Even narrow entryways can fit additional storage, like a small bench seat with cubbies or hooks on a wall away from the door. A small dresser might even be a good option for families with children.

8. Use Wall Space Strategically

To maximize space, be strategic with your entryway design, especially when it comes to wall space. Rather than filling up a larger wall with wall decor, think about how you could use that wall to your advantage to boost storage space in a small foyer.

For example, recessed shelving built into the wall can give everything a spot without taking up floor space. You might also add floating shelves, baskets for mail, or coat hooks. If more storage space isn't necessary, use the wall for other functional features, like a family chalkboard or calendar.

9. Add Decor or Artwork

Adding artwork or decor to your walls is one entryway decorating idea for small spaces that are simple and budget-friendly, especially if you're careful about where you choose to shop. Try browsing flea markets and yard sales for unique pieces before splurging on brand-new items from hobby and home stores.

How does adding art to walls help? If you focus on just one wall, rather than decorating both, you can create the illusion of a wider area. Try to use pieces that are similar in size and organize them horizontally to broaden the area. Avoid mismatched gallery walls, which could tighten up the space even more.

10. Brighten the Floors

Are your entryway floors dark? One entryway idea to brighten your foyer is to swap out the flooring for something lighter in color. There's no need to refloor your whole home. Just giving your entryway a fresh floor look can transform the area.

Opt for light-colored hardwood, like white oak or maple. If you're redecorating on a budget, look for laminate flooring instead, which is more affordable. Bonus: laminate stands up to wear and tear from pets and kids very well.

11. Place a Runner

Small entryway flooring ideas don't have to include new flooring. We know that a new floor isn't in the budget for everyone, but there's an alternative option that could work: placing a runner.

Floor runners can serve two important purposes in a narrow entryway. One benefit is that they make the room feel longer, as they run down the length of the entry space. Another benefit is that you can find them in all sorts of light, bright colors.

12. Opt for Minimalism

When you're unsure which small entryway ideas to use, it's important to keep in mind that minimalism is key. There is no set of rules you need to follow when it comes to expanding your small entryway and its storage space. But it does help to remember to keep things simple.

An entryway crowded with furniture, coats, and hallway decor is going to feel more cramped than one with only the necessities, like wall hooks, a few key decor pieces, and a floating shelf or two. Start the transformation by getting rid of anything you don't absolutely need in your entryway. You might just find that getting rid of clutter was all your space needed to become more functional.

Small Entryway Ideas to Brighten and Widen Your Space

When it comes to transforming a small entryway, simplicity is key. Everything from a new coat of paint to new floors to strategic storage solutions can brighten and organize the space, making it appear brighter, larger, and more welcoming.  

Adding a new front door can also add a fresh look to the space, and that’s where Rustica comes in. If you’re looking to replace your front entryway door with something a little more extraordinary, we have plenty of options to choose from, including French doors, Dutch doors, double doors, and more.

Don’t put up with a gloomy, unorganized entryway any longer! You deserve a happy space to come home to.