How To Fake An Entryway – Enter Right Into The Living Room
Learn expert design tips on how to fake an entryway when you enter right into the living room.
No entryway? No problem!
Discover these smart design solutions that will help you fake an entryway – that’s functional and beautiful!
As a Designer and True Color Expert® I love designing entryways and solving challenging home spaces!
With my expert design tips you’ll be able to create an entry in your small home, apartment or condo that’s a separate space and has room for display and storage for the essentials.
You’ll find tips and tricks to make an entryway that looks like this!
PIN THIS AND SAVE IT FOR LATER!
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Table of contents
- Learn expert design tips on how to fake an entryway when you enter right into the living room.
- Understanding the problem – why does walking straight into the living room feel so awkward anyway?
- What do you do if you have no entryway?
- Your Entryway Checklist
- No Entryway Storage and Design Solutions:
- 1. Arrange your furniture to create a separate entryway zone
- 2. Bookcase storage shelf for backpacks and kids stuff
- 3. Hall tree storage
- 4. Add a shoe cabinet
- 5. Tall cabinet to hide clutter with closed storage
- 6. Small dresser
- 7. Wainscoting with board and batten or bead board and wall hooks to organize your entryway
- 8. Ikea hack for a tiny entryway
- 9. Add a wall hook rack and small bench
- 10. Repurpose a small corner, recessed alcove space or nook
- 11. Room divider with shelves and shoe cabinet
- 12. Add a half wall
- 13. Add a console table to create a focal point
- 14. Wall slat panels with coat hooks
- 15. Wall shelf to create an entry
- 16. Finishing Touches
- What If You Have No Wall Space At All?
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- More Home Design and Decor Ideas:
Understanding the problem – why does walking straight into the living room feel so awkward anyway?
If your home has no entryway and you walk right into the living room, the area by the door looks and feels really awkward and ‘off’.
With no front closet or designated drop zone, when the front door opens immediately into the living room:
- there is a lack of storage for everyday essentials
- Without a functioning entryway all of that ‘stuff’ spills into the living room, kitchen, onto the staircase….making them cluttered and not functioning as best as they can
- no clear transition between the entrance and the main living area
- In an open-concept floor plan, the lack of visual separation can make this design challenge feel even more noticeable
Why is an entryway so important?
A home’s entry is essential for:
- the proper function of your home, your life and also for aesthetics!
- it’s the first impression that your family and guests have of your home, gives them a feeling of comfort and welcomes them to your home.
- It’s the spot to get ready for the day before you head out the door.
- it’s the place that welcomes us home.
- It’s a place to store coats, shoes, umbrellas, keys, sunglasses, dog leashes and kids backpacks!
The entryway is such a hard working space in your home!
What do you do if you have no entryway?
When your front door opens straight into the living room create a faux entryway!
Fake an entry with these clever space saving design ideas.
These design tips will show you how to add storage as well as visually and functionally separate the entry from the rest of the home.
Your Entryway Checklist
When you are creating an entryway when you don’t have one, keep these essential entryway must-haves in mind.
In order of importance, here is what a functional entryway should have:
- Hooks or a wall rack to hang coats, scarves, hats and backpacks
- Closed storage or baskets to store shoes, gloves, kids stuff, dog leashes, keys and sunglasses
- A easy to clean area rug or runner
- An accent mirror
- Lighting – either a ceiling light or sconces
- Beautiful home decor
- Seating such as a small ottoman or bench
No Entryway Storage and Design Solutions:
Discover clever ways to fake an entryway and select the ideas that work best for your home and needs:
Check out these fabulous entryway storage and organization solutions:
1. Arrange your furniture to create a separate entryway zone
The first step is to rearrange your living room furniture to create a separate living room zone and a proper entry.
Strategic furniture arrangement is an easy way to solve the problem of having no entry.
Sofa Furniture Arrangement
Move your sofa so that it’s perpendicular to the door like this:
Add a narrow console table to the back of the sofa
If there is room available, add a narrow console table to the back of your sofa to help separate it from the entryway zone.
This will help define the entryway from the living room and make your home look cohesive and pulled together.
Chairs Furniture Arrangement
If you have 2 chairs you can arrange them perpendicular to the door (instead of the sofa).
Both options will create the feeling of an entry hall when your home doesn’t have one.
2. Bookcase storage shelf for backpacks and kids stuff
A quick and easy solution is a cube bookcase with wall hooks to hang backpacks and small coats.
Fabric cube bins on the bottom store hats, gloves and other kids items so they are within reach.
Decorate the top of the bookcase and add a chic mirror over it, a stylish felt bulletin board or this genius wall mounted digital calendar to keep track of sports and school schedules.
3. Hall tree storage
Fake an entryway and add storage with a hall tree. It will also help define and separate the entry from the rest of the home.
Add one or more by the front door or back door to create the look of a beautiful mudroom!
This beautiful narrow hall tree for small spaces provides tidy organization and storage for kids backpacks, purses, coats, scarves, hats, gloves ect.
Shop these beautiful hall tree ideas:
4. Add a shoe cabinet
Eliminate the clutter of shoes strewn everywhere with a shoe cabinet!
It takes up little space and it creates a spot to add a table lamp, beautiful decor and art or mirror!
This gorgeous rattan and wood shoe cabinet comes in 3 colors and has drawers on top plus 2 flip drawers for lots of organization!
5. Tall cabinet to hide clutter with closed storage
A tall cabinet like this one that comes in lots of colors by the front door is another great idea.
Remove a couple of the top shelves and add a coat rod or wall hooks to hang coats and backpacks.
Ikea Pax Cabinet
Add an Ikea pax cabinet by the front door to store coats, shoes and backpacks. There are lots of door options and color options!
6. Small dresser
Dresser drawers store lots of shoes, hats, gloves, scarves and even purses!
This gorgeous small 3 drawer dresser comes in 7 beautiful colors and 5 sizes – so versatile.
Add drawer organizers and adjustable drawer dividers to separate items and organize.
Here’s a beautiful entryway with 2-3 wall hooks and a dresser beside it for closed storage:
7. Wainscoting with board and batten or bead board and wall hooks to organize your entryway
Adding gorgeous wainscoting board and batten trim with wall hooks will visually separate the entry from the living room plus provide hanging storage for backpacks, scarves, coats ect.
This tiny awkward corner was transformed into a mini entryway with board and batten trim, wall hooks and a wall shelf! Such a fabulous way to hang and store kids backpacks!
Add a small bench to sit and put shoes on:
Small bench ideas:
Beautiful green paint colors:
Add hinge pin door stops to the front door
Add hinge pin stoppers to the front door to stop the front door from hitting the wall hooks.
They stop the door from swinging backward into the wall area and are easy to install.
This gorgeous wainscoting wall treatment with bead board is so timeless and chic!
This beautiful shiplap wall with wall hooks and bench has Nancy Meyers meets lake house style!
8. Ikea hack for a tiny entryway
Wall mount an Ikea BESTA unit to provide closed storage and an open surface for keeping mail and small items like keys. It doesn’t rest on the floor making the space look more spacious!
9. Add a wall hook rack and small bench
Create a small entryway zone by adding a wall hook rack by the front door and placing a small bench underneath.
Decorate the top of the wall hook rack with framed art, a votive candle holder and a small plant to add style and visual interest.
10. Repurpose a small corner, recessed alcove space or nook
Redefine the spaces in your home!
If you have a small nook area, small corner or a recessed alcove space near the front door it can be used as an entryway.
11. Room divider with shelves and shoe cabinet
Add this room divider with coat hooks, shelves and shoe storage as a partition between the front door area and the living room.
It’s also a clever storage solution for keys, mail, sunglasses, and small items, while also displaying decorative accents.
I love how it defines and separates an entryway from a living room!
12. Add a half wall
Add a half wall in between the front door area and the living room to separate the spaces.
Add wall hooks to the half wall to hang backpacks, coats ect.
Color tip – paint the half wall, wall hooks and bench white for a cohesive polished look!
13. Add a console table to create a focal point
Placing a console table on the wall by the front door will create visual interest and a focal point to establish the entryway zone.
Add a boot tray under the console table to protect your floors from dirt, snow and water.
This small half moon console table is gorgeous and is a fabulous idea if you have small wall space. I love the fluted trim!
A small narrow console table is another great solution when there is no entryway.
14. Wall slat panels with coat hooks
Wall slat panels are so on-trend and add instant style and texture!
Add a one or more panels with hooks that fit in the panel grooves onto a wall by the front door, to create a stylish foyer area.
This takes up no floor space making it a fabulous solution for small spaces!
This stunning wood slat panel system can be customized with hooks and shelves to create a stunning entryway!
Use one or two together to add style and storage to the foyer.
Modular Wall Panel and Storage System
Click on the images below to shop this modular wall system:
15. Wall shelf to create an entry
Another way to fake an entryway is to add a small wall shelf with a mirror above.
Add decorative accessories on the shelf to add style and interest.
A wall shelf with hooks adds even more function and organization!
16. Finishing Touches
These finishing decorative touches will add that designer look to your faux entryway!
These ideas will add color, pattern, texture and wow factor!
Mirrors To Fake An Entryway Zone
I highly recommend adding a mirror beside the front door to
- create a focal point and to balance a console table or bench.
- help define the entry area from the rest of the home.
- decorate a blank wall creating an inviting cozy look as you enter the home.
Decorative Baskets
Lidded baskets are also a fabulous closed storage idea and will help fake an entryway.
They can store dog toys and leashes, kids toys and more!
Tuck them under a bench or beside a console table or hall tree .
If the hall tree has cubby space you can also tuck baskets there to organize your entryway!
Baskets also add texture and style to the foyer area!
Add Wall Art
Adding art, either a couple of framed prints or a gallery wall, will also help define an entry.
No Entryway? Add A Beautiful Rug To Define The Space
To fake an entryway when your home doesn’t have one – add a beautiful rug – this one’s washable!
Rugs help create balance and create a polished look.
Designer tip: Rugs are also a great way to introduce an accent color to a space.
Pick a color in the area rug as your accent color and repeat it in art and decor in the entry.
Adding a rug or runner will help create impact and visually separate the entryway zone from the rest of the home.
Pick one as large as possible for the most impact!
A neutral rug is a sure win! Neutral rugs in sisal, jute or polyester add texture and layering to the front door area.
Add a Statement Light to the Foyer Area
To create a separate entryway visually it’s important to add a statement light to that area.
A statement flush mount or semi-flush mount ceiling light will not only brighten up the foyer area but will also create visual impact.
It will automatically fake an entryway.
If you don’t have a ceiling outlet add two plug in wall sconces to the wall area beside the front door.
Arrange the wall sconces on each side of (or above) a mirror or artwork above a console table or bench, or on each side of a hall tree cabinet or wall shelf.
You can also add a battery operated wall sconce or battery operated picture light if you don’t have a wall outlet!
Add Seating to Fake an Entryway
If possible add a small ottoman pouf, small chair or bench to the entryway area.
This will provide a place to put shoes on and will ground the entryway area.
What If You Have No Wall Space At All?
There are 2 design options if you have no wall space around your front door.
Tall Cabinet in Living Room
Put a tall cabinet in your living room to store coats and backpacks.
The closed doors on the tall cabinet will hide everything.
You can replace the top shelves with a clothing rod to hang coats.
Or you can replace the top shelves with hooks to hang kids backpacks, coats and purses!
Here are some ideas for tall cabinets:
Narrow Shoe Cabinet Behind Sofa
You can add a narrow shoe cabinet behind the sofa (that’s perpendicular to the front door) to store items – like this cabinet or this cabinet.
Because the shoe cabinet is narrow it won’t take up much space!
You can also store purses, gloves, scarves and hats in it too!
You can even fold or roll up coats and tuck them in the shoe cabinet.
Final Thoughts
Don’t lose hope and think your small home is a lost cause! There are so many clever design ideas to separate the living room from the entrance!
With these expert design tips and tricks you can welcome guests and family in style and add function to your home!
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do you maximize space in a small entryway?
Use every inch of floor space and wall space in a small entryway.
Keep items off of the floor as much as possible to maximize a small entryway
Think vertical and use as much of the wall space as possible.
Add a narrow bench for seating or a narrow console table for storage and display.
How do you fill a long entryway?
A long entryway has it’s challenges!
It can look cold, uninviting and sterile.
Add a long console table with a faux tree or a long bench.
Fill a long entry wall with a gallery wall of art to add interest and style to the blank wall space.
How to make a small entryway functional?
Adding lots of storage and organization to a small entryway will make it functional.
Wall hooks, small baskets and small seating ideas will make full use of the square footage in a small entry.
What is the difference between a foyer and entryway?
There is no difference.
Foyer, entryway and entry all refer to the same thing.
It is the space at the front door that is used to store outwear and to put on shoes and boots.
How do you hide entryway clutter?
Use baskets, bins to contain entryway clutter.
Hide the baskets and bins in a closed cabinet in the entryway.
Everything will be organized and hidden to make the entryway look beautiful and uncluttered!
How to keep the entryway floor clean?
I highly recommend this amazing cordless 2 in 1 floor cleaner and vacuum to keep an entryway floor clean.
It vacuums and washes the floor at the same time, so the floor is clean in a jiffy!
I have it and absolutely love it!
It’s safe for tile, hardwood and LVP floors.
It’s also lightweight and self cleaning!
How can I make my entryway more welcoming?
Adding a beautiful rug or runner is the first step to making an entry more welcoming!
Add wall art, a mirror and decor to add ambiance and style.
Use lots of texture to add interest.
A coordinated color palette will also help creating an inviting space.
More Home Design and Decor Ideas:
- Top 50 Bestselling Paint Colors At Sherwin Williams
- Agreeable Gray – Undertones & Coordinating Colors
- How To Make A Small Living Room Feel Larger!
- How To Arrange Furniture In A Small Living Room
- 20 Beautiful Backpack Storage Ideas For A Clutter-Free Home
- How to Arrange Living Room Furniture With a Fireplace
- How to Decorate a Coffee Table Like a Designer
- How to Make A Mood Board For Interior Design
- Top 50 Exterior Home Paint Colors From Sherwin Williams
- Big Impact Living Room Decorating Ideas
- How To Cover An Ugly Carpet
- Small Bedroom Ideas To Maximize Space & Style
- How To Arrange Furniture In A Small Living Room
- 7 Ways To Make A Small Room Feel Larger Instantly!
- How To Arrange Furniture With An Open Concept Floor Plan
- 5 Design Tricks To Brighten A Dark Room
- How to Pick Paint Colors With Confidence!
I had never thought to fake an entryway. I love the concept of using furniture to create a faux pathway. I am also agreeing that seating and hooks are essential! My boys are always looking for a place to sit down and take off their muddy shoes! Yikes! I will be implementing these suggestions to make for a smoother transition from outside to in!
I’m so glad you love these ideas! 🙂
This is so helpful and I’m excited to try these tips. My apartment is sort of an awkward shape and the entry way is a big challenge especially because we don’t have a closet. Thanks for these ideas!
Great ideas especially using the couch which is what I did instinctively to separate our tiny entrance from the living room.
I wish you had pics of the doors on the other side of the wall though. Our door entrance is actually on the side and not in front. 🙁
What if my front door is smack dab in the middle of my living space? We don’t have a wall to the right or left of our front door. Just a door right in the middle of the main wall.
You can use these tips – make the most out of the wall space on each side of the door.
Hi could you please provide a link for the natural colored three legged stool? Love your work
Thank you for these ideas for my living room entry AND my mudroom. I can envision doing these simple yet pleasant arrangements.
You’re very welcome! I’m glad you love my design tips! 🙂