Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

What should you do with your now-vacant entryway?

Entryways are the space in our homes where we first welcome guests. They are meant to be open and inviting, but the past year they’ve been neglected. There’s been no hosting parties or holidays, and the entryway has quickly become an unused area. While we may not be entertaining for the foreseeable future, our entryways shouldn’t suffer as a result. There are plenty of fun ideas to give the space an upgrade.

Whether you need more storage, a place for your kids to learn, or you’re just looking for a facelift to an already overlooked area, there is tons of inspiration you can find online for whatever design you fancy. After all, any unused room of your home that can be put to good use until we’re all able to get back together again is a welcome addition.

Related Videos
man reading to child
Gabby K/Pexels

Reading nook

If you are like us, you’re likely looking for a space—any space—to turn into a sanctuary of peace and quiet. Since no one is really coming or going, why not turn your entrance into a cozy reading nook? Depending on your entryway size, you could add a chaise or small chair and ottoman and a wall-mounted bookshelf. You can also add a colorful rug to give a pop of color and some wall sconces to give the space the tranquility it (and you) deserve. Grab a cozy blanket and a glass of wine, and feel free to ignore your family.

entryway with storage
New Africa/Shutterstock

Extra storage

If you’ve been looking for extra storage in your home, why not consider the entryway? Again, depending on the size of the room, you could situate a closed-door cabinet and store towels, pantry items, or holiday decor that needs a home. If you have a large family and nowhere to hide shoes, consider a cabinet that can store your shoes away so you’re not tripping over them all the time. You could even merge the two and find a couch to read on that doubles as storage. It’s a win-win.

wall of pictures
Maria Orlova/Pexels

Gallery wall

If you’ve got a ton of old pictures that you’ve meant to frame for years, why not do that now and use your entryway to display them? You could create a collage on the wall of family photos or add in mirrors, your kid’s old artwork, or candle sconces to make a visually appealing wall to showcase some of your favorite memories. If you collect gallery artwork, you could use the entryway to display it. Add in some floating shelves to give dimension and display other items you’ve collected throughout the years. Once the pandemic is over, it will become a great place to share stories with guests.

Kid’s learning space

If you have kids still learning remote, finding a quiet place they can concentrate on Zoom calls or homework has proven challenging. The way that Murphy beds can create a bedroom out of a small space, find a folding desk that can be used for schoolwork during the day (then folded up at night or when they aren’t being used) is a great use of space. Plus, fold-away desks make hiding the chaos and mess of your kid’s learning space easy. You could also do an adult version if you are sick of working from your couch, bed, or wherever you can steal a place to take a work call without an audience.

It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment or an open floor plan in the suburbs; the entryway is often an overlooked place in any home. It’s meant as a place to transition from the outdoors, inside, but it can be so much more. These ideas are just a few ways you can reimagine a previously unused space.

All of the above can also easily be converted back to a “standard” entryway, should you wish. There are creative ways to hide stored items, shoes, books, and other items but simply closing the doors to a cabinet quickly so you are guest-ready in an instant. The entryway is the first impression anyone who visits your home receives. But it doesn’t just have to be about your guests! Get creative and make the space one you can also enjoy. We deserve it.

Editors' Recommendations

These are the best shower plants for your bathroom (and why you really need one)
Shower plants have design and health benefits: Here are the best ones
Bathroom lowlight plants

Keeping indoor plants has been a popular decorating method for years, but the nature-inspired design has gone to a whole new level in recent years. From green being the "it" color of the year to design styles adopting a friluftsliv appeal, designers and DIYers alike are finding new and interesting ways to incorporate nature design into the modern home.

What's one of our favorite green design features? The shower plant. Whether you have a bathroom with a green palette or a super luxurious, modern design, keeping a plant inside your shower is a unique, fun design approach. It's also incredibly beneficial for you. These are the benefits of a shower plant — and the best ones you can get.

Read more
Blinds vs. curtains: Which should you choose?
A beginner's guide to deciding between curtains and blinds
Woman with Venetian blinds

When moving into a new home or redecorating a room, one step that can be difficult is choosing between installing curtains or blinds. Before you finalize a purchase of either, consider what look you’re trying to achieve.

Factors such as cost, ease of installation, maintenance, lighting options, and energy efficiency may sway your decision when it comes to decorating your home. This research takes time and patience, but there's good news! We’ve consolidated all relevant information into a comprehensive blinds vs. curtains guide for your convenience. Here are the pros and cons you need to know when searching for window coverings that will best suit your needs.

Read more
What colors go with gray? How to make a neutral hue pop in your home
How to make gray walls work for your home decor
Modern living room with gray walls and yellow furniture

Neutral colors like gray and taupe are always popular options for your home's interior design. Both are versatile shades that can go with a plethora of other hues, which means you can easily change up the look of your decor with gray walls and a rotating rainbow of accessories like colorful throw pillows. With all the different shades of gray paint available, from matte to glossy, warm to cool, and brownish to blueish, it's certainly possible to find the one that's perfect for you and your home.

Of course, you can always have too much of a good thing. While gray can be a sophisticated and elegant shade, too much gray can wash out a room or make it feel dull and dingy or cold and unwelcoming. Think of gray as the backdrop on a canvas that lets your color palette shine, and you can't go wrong. So, it’s important to incorporate other colors into the decor, whether it be with pieces of furniture, art, or throw blankets -- but what colors go with gray? If you're looking for the best options to brighten up your current decor, keep reading to find out how to accent this elegant tone.

Read more