You may not have been allowed to welcome guests into your home for a sophisticated soiree in some while, but with lockdown restrictions being eased a little further by the day, you could be hosting dinner parties, garden parties and wine tastings again before the summer is out. And, when you do, you’ll want to make an impression.
As they say, first impressions are everything – and from the moment your guests step foot over your threshold, you’ll want everything to be perfect. To ensure their entrance is one to remember, now is the perfect time to start overhauling your hallway, creating a modern and luxurious area that will set the tone for the evening ahead.
It’s not just your guests who will benefit, either – your hallway is the first thing you’ll see when you return home, and a warm and welcoming feel will make you feel instantly relaxed as you head through the door.
Best entryway décor ideas
So, if you’re ready to create an entrance to be proud of, then read on – because we’ve rounded up five of the best ways to create a luxurious and modern feel to your hallway.
Create a focal point
The key to a beautiful hallway is getting the balance just right – and combining carefully chosen fabrics and unique pieces of furniture with a tasteful colour scheme.
Creating a focal point is important, so find a statement piece you love, and design the room around it. According to Design Ideas Guide, an entry table or console stand is a great way to go – though a beautiful piece of artwork can work well, too.
If opting for the former, avoid allowing this to become a place for clutter to gather and use it to showcase some of your favourite photos or accessorise with a modern lamp or a vase of fresh flowers.
Although placing furniture against the wall is the obvious choice of layout, larger entryways lend themselves to pushing the boundaries and trying something new. Spacious, square cloakrooms can look great with a round table in the middle, for example.
Light up the room
As in most rooms, lighting is everything, and can go a long way to create the right atmosphere for when you’re welcoming guests through the door.
A dramatic chandelier oozes class and elegance, and is certain to impress from the get go. This can work particularly well in larger hallways or cloakrooms.
For smaller or longer hallways, opt for soft lighting from table and floor lamps placed strategically to create the desired effect.
Time to reflect
Making use of mirrors is a great way to create a feeling of spaciousness, particularly in smaller hallways. Hang a large antique mirror and allow the reflections it creates work their magic – but be sure to consider how you set up the opposite side of the room to ensure that the image you are projecting looks chic and elegant.
If you’d like to go one step further, then you could even try an antique mirror finish on one of the walls to add visual interest and depth.
Hitting the floor
When it comes to hallways and cloakrooms, flooring is everything – not just from an aesthetic perspective, but a practical one, too. This is the highest traffic area in your house, so you’ll want to opt for something durable that won’t show marks, scuffs and stains easily. Wooden flooring is the obvious choice here, as it’s quick and easy to clean, and when kept well-polished, can create a luxurious feel.
Porcelain tiles can also work well – opt for a simple grey if your hallway is already accessorised, or choose an intricate pattern and make it the focal point of your hallway, keeping the rest of the room minimal to allow it to do the talking.
Seek out symmetry
Symmetry works particularly well in a hallway setting, creating a pleasing aesthetic and a sense of harmony that is certain to make the right impression.
The easiest way to achieve this is by styling the room with pairs – so opt for a statement pair of lamps or ornate urns and place at either end of your console table or on opposite sides of the room. To add extra opulence, choose tactile textures and warm and neutral tones.
Creating an entrance that makes a lasting impression for all the right reasons couldn’t be easier, and after a few simple design tweaks, you won’t be able to wait to show it off.