Clean and colorful
While there are many items that should be included in an entryway, there is one thing that should never be found there—clutter. “People like to feel invited and welcome, not like they are barely able to fit in with all the stuff,” says interior designer and author of Celebrate Your Life Melissa Galt of Melissa Galt Inc. Of course, the same goes for stairways, too. In both areas, clutter is not only unsightly and uninviting, but also dangerous.

Beginning with a clutter-free environment, consider the color of the space and select one that is warm and welcoming. “You don’t want colors that are brash or turn people off in any way,” says interior decorator Carol Grote of Décor & You. For example, a sunny or soft yellow works much better than a bright canary yellow.

Door design
Of course, every entryway includes a door, and every doorway should have some way of allowing you to see who is at the door before you open it. This could be a simple peephole or windows along the side of the door. Doors with stained glass windows are one option gaining in popularity that is both decorative and functional since you can see through the glass, according
to Grote.

A beautiful wood door or one with stained glass will look attractive from the inside or outside. However, if you opt for a bright red painted door that looks good from the street, be sure to select a subtler shade for the interior. While the inside color should be neutral, it certainly does not need to match the walls. Make the door your own by adding a decorative lock system of a material that appeals to you and coordinates with the metals throughout your house. Locks and handles can be found in materials from brass to brushed nickel; just make sure to choose a system that is decorative and secure.

Accessorize
Once you’ve decided on the perfect color and door, personalize the space with decorative and useful items. A small table or sideboard can be ideal for temporarily holding keys, mail or bags—just be sure it does not become a catchall, which would lead to a cluttered entry. Since opening the door to a blank wall does not ring with invitation, try hanging a piece of art across from the door, or include a floral arrangement. A place to hang guests’ coats, such as a coat stand or closet, will make them feel right at home.

Mirrors also make excellent additions to an entryway, but be careful when choosing the location and height. Galt remembers visiting a home with petite owners who hung an entryway mirror lower than the usual height. “My face was cut in half, and that was the first image I saw when the door was opened—very disconcerting,” she says.

Galt also recommends appealing to all the senses. Add greenery to indicate life in the space, and if you’re expecting guests, turn on good music and include a pleasing scent from candles or potpourri.

Rugs provide a further ornamental element and also will soften hard flooring and help keep carpet clean. “A foyer rug can draw attention to art and other decorative touches or add interest,” says Ali Inal, store manager at Rug & Home Warehouse Inc. in Atlanta. Runners can be particularly useful in these areas since they are long, narrow and specifically designed for use in stairways and hallways. The shape of the rug will have an impact on the overall space. While there is nothing wrong with a rectangular rug, a variety of shapes are available and can add some flair and interest, according to Inal. “Circular and oval rugs do a nice job of transitioning,” he says, and this makes them ideal for entryways.

When using a rug, always use a pad underneath. The pad will keep the rug from sliding, so this is especially necessary on hard surfaces. Even large rugs pinned under furniture can move and need pads. “A pad allows for some breathing room between the floor and your rug and will help absorb noise,” Inal says. Rug pads also extend the life of the rug by keeping it flat, which in turn keeps you from tripping over rolled-up corners.

Light it up
Good lighting is another essential welcoming element. It should be bright enough to help you see where you are going, particularly on the stairs, but not glaring or too bright. Galt recommends that all lighting include dimmers and that lamps have three-way bulbs so you can adjust light to fit the mood of a gathering. In the entryway, a chandelier can work nicely with a high ceiling. Chandeliers are good for adding warm, subtle light, and chandeliers with crystals also paint a delightful pattern on the floor.

Stairs with flair
In many homes, entryways include staircases, and these work best with the design when they don’t actually begin directly in line with the front door. But whether the staircase is off to the side or highly visible from the entrance, cluttering the stairs is definitely a don’t. However, do decorate the walls of the stairs with artwork, family photos or even a tapestry, which can work particularly well on a curved wall.

To keep the staircase functional, add some soft flooring. “Carpeting or at least a runner looks much nicer than plain wood stairs,” Grote says. “It’s also much safer, and it’s an easy way to add a little design touch to a bare wood staircase.” To add even more punch, Galt suggests getting creative with architectural features like balusters (the posts supporting the handrail), newel posts (the large post at the bottom of the rail) and handrails.

In order to take a boring staircase to an entirely new level, consider a stair makeover. A staircase’s outdated look can be updated by switching from plain white balusters to something more sophisticated, like a richly stained rail with copper balusters, which will create a new focal point in the entryway. “Think of the stairway as a piece of furniture for your foyer,” says Southern Staircase stair makeover representative Wendy Curry. By adding these more decorative elements, the staircase can coordinate better with the overall home design, too.

Stair makeovers can make an enormous difference, and they cost only about $25 per baluster for an average style. There is even a solution for homes with box stairs (a staircase placed between two walls). In the past, changing treads (the actual steps) on box stairs was not possible without extensive and structural rebuilding. Recently, Southern Staircase has patented a product that allows wood tread covers to be added to a staircase. From a traditional black iron scroll or twist in the balusters to a contemporary stainless steel look, stairways provide another place to reinforce the style of a house.
Putting some thought into creating your entryway and staircase can lead to an area that not only invites guests in, but also welcomes your family home each night. By choosing soft colors, adjustable lighting, decorative rugs and plenty of design elements, and keeping clutter at bay, you can make the first glimpse of your home a restful sight, allowing you to leave the world outside where it belongs.