How to make an entrance…in your own home!
In this second part of my blog series on the importance of making an entrance, I’m delighted to have worked again with Verity Lovelock of BBD Architects. During a long chat we discovered a mutual love for the entrance to a property, and all the potential of what is often a smaller space in the home.
In our first blog post we examined why the entrance to your home is so important, and now we can move onto the exciting part; how you can make the most of your space. This is often an overlooked area, with new design and inspiration going into the more ‘lived in’ rooms, but there are so many options for creating an entrance that leaves a lasting impression, no matter where you live.
The first and most important question when we are beginning any interior design or architecture project is to ask what the area is going to be used for. You need to know how often it will be used and by whom so that you can start to visualise colours, textures, and styles, as well as practical considerations too.
Perhaps the entrance to your home is a busy area that sees the coming and going of children, animals, and family members all day long, so you need space, storage, and simplicity. You might work from home and want a calm, welcoming area for clients to step into that separates from the family space. Both in architecture and interior design, what Verity and I create for our clients is built around their lifestyles, and the purpose of an area in your home will lead our ideas so that together we can create something beautiful and functional.
Photo - Luke Van Zyl
Lighting
Hallways and entrances can sometimes be darker areas but there are different ways you can bring in light. Using light colours on walls will open the space, and you can use different lighting levels to add brightness during the day, and lower lighting through lamps to create a cosy feel in the evenings.
“If you have the room and budget, adding a skylight or a window by the front door will bring natural light in and give the feeling of a more airy and open area,” Verity explains. “For properties with two storey stairs you can open the landing with a window and bring in more light from above, or invest in statement lighting like a chandelier, a feature that will create impact and filter light down into the hallway.”
Alternatively, using mirrors to reflect the available light will also brighten the entrance, opening the area and creating a sense of more space, as well as adding a touch of style.
Photo - Seb Fernandez
Stairs
These are one of my favourite areas to work on in a house; I love a stairwell! I often find that people will accept what they have and not think too much about changing the stairs, but small changes can make a big difference, and if your stairs are at the entrance of your home they are one of the first things visitors see, so they form part of that important first impression.
A quick bit of research online will show you that there are a huge number of different designs for stairs, depending on your style and taste. There are different materials or textures to consider, and even some clever quirky elements like pops of colour or making the stairs into bookshelves can be incorporated. Handrails and banisters are also part of the stairwell and can be part of the overall effect too, using different styles or introducing a new texture, using anything from wood, to metal or glass. Flooring will create a flow from the hallways up the stairs, and using the wall space to display artwork or a gallery wall of photos will add interest, leading the eye and creating a showcase of your stairwell.
Upholstery - Prestigious Textiles, Gatsby Collection
Space
Verity notes that there are a range of possibilities for opening up the entrance to your home. “A generous hallway creates an overall impression of space without necessarily having a larger floor area. You may be able to build a porch or larger entryway to your home, or even make better use of the space you already have.”
Consider every part of your hallway; the floor area, the walls, the corners, all of these are opportunities for clever design to create a feeling of space for people stepping into your home. Even small or narrow areas can be adapted to give a feeling of more space and make good use of what you have, with slim storage that doesn’t impact on the effect of the entrance.
Fabrics - Prestigious Textiles, Sakura Collection
Storage
It’s almost a given that your hallway or porch will need storage of some kind; closets for coats, hooks for bags, or somewhere to stack shoes and wellies to avoid the piles of footwear than can quickly appear. These are practical needs, but they can easily fit into the space that you have available and the style you are looking to create.
Cupboards under stairs or seats with storage underneath are great options for keeping your belongings tucked away neatly. Rows of coat hooks, a console table, baskets or an umbrella stand; these can all be brought into your overall design as well as providing storage options and will contribute to the impact you create as soon as someone comes inside.
Your hallway presents a glimpse of what’s to come, and hints at your personality. Every element comes together to create the feeling you want people to remember when they arrive at your home; welcoming, calm, professional, relaxed. Whatever your intentions, it can all be achieved with some careful planning and expertise.
Verity and I agree that one of the best parts of what we do is the end result, to bring all the hard work together into a finished product that bring a client’s vision into reality. We hope you’ve enjoyed our posts on making the most of the entrance to your home, and perhaps even give you some ideas and inspiration! If you want to know more about designing your ideal entrance, or any part of your home, we’re always happy to help.