How do you feel when you meet someone new, shake their hand, and instead of a firm handshake, you get the ‘dead fish’ kind-of limp shake that just makes you go “Ugh”. 

Or when a person you’ve just met is obnoxious or irritating? You probably won’t be interested in getting to know them better. And even if you’ll have to (for whatever reason), they’ve already left a bad first impression. 

And that first impression matters so much in general, not just when it comes to meeting new people. You can look at the entryway of a house like a handshake – it’s the first room the buyers see, and it sets the tone for the rest. 

A stunning entry is what gives the first impression of a house; hence, if it’s stylish (and practical), the prospects of the house are captivated right away.

Let’s see how to get the most out of the entryway and turn it into a space that will win buyers over before they’ve even seen the rest of the house. 

Lighting and Color

So, how do you go about selling your house? What’s the first thing to do? Depending on where you live, you just google it. So, let’s say you live in Plano, Texas; you’d google “sell my home quickly in Plano, TX,” hire an agent and then set your home up for showings. The starting point will be your entryway. 

Lighting and color play a huge part here and the more natural light you have, the better.  During the day, you won’t need separate lighting if you have enough windows, and if your showings are at night, you’ll want soft lighting. Soft ambient wall sconces or a carefully placed pendant light will give the space that warm, cozy glow, and as soon as your buyers walk in, they’ll be more comfortable. 

Colors are just as important, and the best choices are neutrals, preferably warmer ones. 

Clean Space Without Clutter

Nobody likes a claustrophobic, cluttered space, especially when it’s the first thing you see when you walk into a house. 

Your entryway can’t have any clutter whatsoever, so clean everything up and make it feel spacious. Decor that’s too personalized also has no space in an entryway of the house you’re trying to sell, so put that away, too. 

Your goal is to create a space the buyers will be able to picture themselves in, and you can’t do that in a home that feels like it’s somebody else’s. Built-in closets and benches with hidden compartments are great for storage.

Boosting Aesthetics with Signature Elements

Unless you have some furniture or decor in your entryway, it might end up looking modern. But you’re also running the risk of it looking sterile… like a hospital. And we don’t want that.

Here’s what to add to make your space look refined, stylish, but still clean. 

1. Statement Artwork and Mirrors

Large, narrow surface areas or spaces (e.g., entryways, halls, etc.) can also be decorated with mirrors as they help to illuminate the whole area by reflecting light. 

If mirrors aren’t your thing or if you want to add more to your walls, statement artwork is a good way to bring some personality. 

1. Flooring and Mats

Clean, well-maintained flooring is a must. It makes an amazing first impression and it makes the space feel elevated. 

Wooden floors or intricate design ceramic tiles are best, but for the budget-conscious, good quality laminate will work beautifully too.

Here, a mat will be an added advantage in enhancing the neatness and overall impression, but be cautious of the overly personalized ones.

1. Greenery and Decorative Accents

This is one area that definitely does not require much, but some additions are still expected in order to build an inviting space.

Bright colors can be introduced by the use of small decorative plants or wall flower arrangements (you can even go for fake flowers if they look realistic enough from a distance). Apart from this, you can introduce a nice-looking umbrella stand and maybe a classy bowl for holding all the keys.

And that’s it – that’s all your entryway needs in terms of decorative furniture. 

1. Lightning Fixtures

If you don’t have a statement piece in your entryway already (like a big mirror or painting), you can add a chandelier or a classic pendant light that will be a focal point and tie the place together. 

These types of fixtures serve as both lighting and something that will give character and sophistication. 

Conclusion

You might not think the entryway is that important and it may not be the room that makes or breaks the sale, but first impression is important, and this is how you make it. 

It can be tempting to overdo it and we’ve given you a few options to explore, but you probably don’t want to use all of the suggestions. Instead, pick and choose what works for your space and for your taste. If you already have a huge mirror, you really don’t need a big monstera deliciosa (Swiss cheese plant) and a crazy-looking chandelier.

Keep it simple. Keep it stylish. Use your home’s entrance to your advantage!

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2 Interlinking Opportunities:

From https://kevinfrancisdesign.com/blogs/the-francis-files/kfd-x-my-favorite-pins-impressive-entryways?srsltid=AfmBOopgRjw2Jj1oT5LDVqASOmj4S8SCBPz-UPA7OHoKx7KbAf3nBf-F with anchor stunning entry

From https://kevinfrancisdesign.com/blogs/design-ideas/incorporating-these-statement-pieces-will-add-uniqueness-to-your-interior-design?srsltid=AfmBOop7q75IHhlYa9n2j_8bVwaH2-vDOJjNW6ROQliX1T0zUgv8ePlq with anchor When working with smaller spaces