You only get one chance to make a great first impression, and your home’s entryway is a key factor in that first impression. There are so many ways to create an inviting entryway; it’s largely dependent upon your space constraints, the layout and wall/window/dividing architectural features, and of course your own personal sense of style. Here are several real-life ideas on how to decorate an entryway.

How to Decorate a Contemporary Entryway

Contemporary entries often involve a more spacious approach than traditional entryways. Walls tend to be fewer or smaller, and an open overall concept is probably involved somehow. So your best bet for the entryway is to keep décor to a well-chosen minimum. A bench and a rug are the only furnishings of this well-decorated space, because they’re the only ones needed.

In this contemporary home, the front door is customized to be wider than standard doors. This means that the only wall in this entryway is on the right (upon entry), where the front door also swings. A single piece of wall art is sufficient to address this wall without making it into a big fuss.

Opposite the one wall in this entryway is a staircase; on the other side of the staircase is the only other wall. Two large, vertical modern paintings are hung here, which is in keeping with the shape of the wall itself (tall and narrow) and a beautiful counterbalance to all the other straight lines of the staircase railing.

The railing is a cool industrial number, warmed up a touch with a wooden handrail.

The stairs themselves (also visible from the entryway) are mostly carpeted in a light neutral grey, with a bit of wooden tread showing on the sides of each step. This ratio (of grey to wood) is pleasantly maintained, both on the railing and the stairs themselves, which creates harmony and appeal, even if subconsciously.

How to Decorate a Farmhouse Entryway

For the home that embraces the farmhouse style, a gorgeous and fitting entryway isn’t hard to figure out.

Chunky board and batten walls (half, three-quarters, or full) help to set the style stage in a visual way that requires no physical square footage.

A simple, low bench provides shoe storage, which is an important function for most entryways, as well as a place to sit when putting on/taking off shoes.

Black iron coat hooks are an intuitive place for hanging coats, bags, or umbrellas. When they’re not used in that way, though, they make an excellent seasonal décor spot.

Other touches in this relatively spacious yet simply decorated entryway include a large distressed multi-photo frame hung by a chain.

A simple chrome orb pendant brings in an important modern touch to the entryway and keeps things feeling and looking fresh and up-to-date.

And flooring blends the rustic appeal of aged hardwood with cooler modern undertones for a beautiful combination.

How to Decorate a Hallway Entryway

In the entryway that is basically a glorified hallway, it’s a good idea to decorate in such a way that helps visitors feel like they’ve actually arrived…not simply that they’ve opened the front door and have a hallway to travel through to get to the “real” destination. A gorgeous chandelier lends presence to any space.

A view of the entryway through glass French doors shows that even a simple bench provides critical aspects of form + function. An entryway needn’t be bedecked with tons of furnishings to give an effective and favorable first impression.

From the entryway itself, visible rooms incorporate tasteful, neutral elements and furnishings that blend nicely with the simple aesthetic of the hallway entryway.