Here’s how to make the most of your entry.
BY Sarah MacNeil
Knowing your inner nature — and that of your family — can help find a design that works for everyone.
In the flurry of coming and going, the entryway can be mistaken for a pass-through spot to store a coat, cast off a shoe and thrust a pair of keys. This transition zone provides a pivotal moment of the home; however, it’s the first impression after opening the door and the last look before walking away.
Whether it’s a grand foyer, a small hallway or even a open-concept space with no distinct separation, the flavour and function of this room sets the tone to your home.
“It’s important to understand where the ‘everyday’ entry is in your home,” says Raubyn Rothschild, lead designer with Rothschild West Design + Planning. “The door that’s used the most should reinforce the style leading into your home, whether it’s the intended entry,
or the one everyone happens to use.”
Function over fashion
Rothschild says that when it comes to designing entries, function always wins out over Pinterest-perfect details.
“It’s important to be realistic with your home. You can create a beautiful entry, but if the kids drop their backpacks in front of the cupboard every day, it won’t be used in the way you hope,” she says.
Rothschild leans on a philosophy brought forward by psychology experts: there are pilers and filers. Pilers organize their materials visually, out in the open. Filers, as the name implies, tuck everything away. Rarely are families united on this front. Knowing your inner nature — and that of your family — can help find a design that works for everyone.
“You’re not going to train your kids, or yourself, to open the door and put their stuff in the cupboard, so it’s better to see how you use the space and just work with that,” she says. “Everyone needs a spot to put things as soon as they come in.”
That doesn’t mean abandoning hope, but it might mean saying no to wall-to-wall storage when the reality is no one will use it. Choosing pull-out drawers or cubbies where a backpack can be easily stowed may be a more realistic solution. Having “touch down” areas for keys, sunglasses, sunscreen or pet leashes will keep these items in the right spot.
“Quite often,” says Rothschild, “we do a mix of open and closed storage options, so both folks have an intuitive spot and no one is asking where their keys are.”
Account for accessibility
The entry deserves a level of future proofing, both for needs today and in years to come.
Circulation is important, especially when accessibility is a consideration. To prioritize space, avoid low-hanging items that could become barriers to movement and trade walls of high cupboards for a bench to put on shoes.
“Generally, if we’re doing a renovation, we take the opportunity to widen the corridors,” says Rothschild. “It isn’t always because we’re getting older. I could break my leg at any time and have issues getting around, so we want to make sure we’re reducing barriers.”
Adjusting the way a door opens can also change the accessibility of a room, opening into space rather than into a wall.
Get serious about what really belongs at the entry. Do you need your year’s supply of coats in one closet, or could some be stored? The same goes for shoes.
“Shoes are definitely a thing,” says Rothschild. “We have so many in my house I’m actually considering turning part of my kitchen pantry into shoes storage. You need a lot of room for shoes.”
Bring home the design
The entry should feel like a room unto itself, says Rothschild. No matter the layout, there are strategic ways to make that happen.
When it comes to “zoning” your home, lighting should be a prime consideration. Bringing in as much natural light as possible, like from a glass door, creates first-look appeal. For darker entries, adding wall sconces or a table light that fits the home can support this.
To create a distinct transitional space, use this area to hold larger or bolder items. Instead of a small rug that fits the doorway, choose one that suits the size of the room.
“The entry is setting the stage for the home,” says Rothschild. “There is less pressure here, because you don’t have to sit and stare at any one thing for too long, so you can be bolder.”
Rothschild also loves using this space as an opportunity to showcase a gallery wall, either with art or photos of loved ones.
“It’s such a good excuse to get those long-collected pieces out of storage and onto the walls, and it immediately creates a sense of story about your space,” she says.
If your entry is long and narrow, mirrors will open up the space. Reduce unnecessary furniture to keep this area lean. Hooks should also be placed at eye level to keep the upper walls clear and less imposing. Open-concept spaces do well adding in partitions or laying out furniture to build a boundary. Wall treatments — from art to patterned wallpaper — can add a moment of surprise.
Sometimes, the best choice is to rethink it entirely. Rothschild worked with one client who transformed their space into a “receiving lounge” library to create a moment of privacy.
“We want to think about what that first visual experience is when entering the home, because it sets the tone for everything. You want a pause,” says Rothschild. “It takes a client that’s willing to think outside the box to find solutions that will be perfect for their lifestyle and home.”
