12 Ways To Create An Entryway In A Small Living Room

Even though we all dream of having the perfect entryway, smaller living rooms make it challenging for us. However, there are ways around that. If you can create an illusion of an entryway, it will complement your living room, no matter how small it is.

You can install hooks, add seating, create floating storage, add a rack for shoes, and use other decorative steps to define the entryway. Using these methods will help separate your entryway from the living room. Besides, you won’t need much space for implementing these ideas.

If you want to get into details about how to get the best entryway in a small living room, make sure to read the entire article.

How To Create An Entryway In A Small Living Room?

We’ve gathered some ideas that will work best if you have a small living room. You can try all of them or combine a few of them according to your preference. So, let’s get started, shall we?

1. Install Hooks

It’s easy to keep a large area dedicated to coats if your living room is large enough. However, if you have a small living room, installing hooks can be the perfect option. When you place hooks on the wall, you save the space of keeping extra freestanding furniture.

Some hooks will feature a small shelf on top. If you install them, you will kill two birds with one stone. The shelf can be used to store small items, and the hooks will hold the coats. Whether you need to keep your keys or hooks, the same unit will work.

Besides, coat hooks are an indicator of your entryway. You can define the area with a few hooks and make it easy for yourself and your guests.

2. Add Seating And Storage

Seating is one of the most important things for the entrance. So, make sure that you’re not skipping it just because you have a small living room. You can go for a small freestanding bench. Alternatively, you can install a floating bench so that you can use the place underneath the seat for storage purposes.

There are also floating cabinets you can install, which can be used as seating. Combining these two will save some space in your entryway. However, make sure you’re not skipping either of them.

Both seating and storage are mandatory parts of your entrance. It not only defines your entry but also makes your life a bit easier. The seating can be used when you’re wearing and taking off shoes.

As for the storage, you can keep the essentials that you need when you go outside. For instance, scarves, hats, sunscreen, umbrellas, hand sanitizer, keys, etc.

3. Use A Rug

Rugs are an essential element for your entryway. It creates an illusion of an entrance where there isn’t one. In addition, it’s also very effective if you want to protect your flooring.

The entrance is the heaviest traffic area. So, it needs the highest level of protection. A rug will not only prevent the floor from getting scratched but also protect it from moisture.

If you don’t want to invest in rugs, you can go for a doormat instead. They’re comparatively cheaper than rugs. Even though they won’t cover as much area as a rug would, entryways with small living rooms will get sufficient protection from a doormat.

4. Rack Of Shoes

Another must-have for your entryway is a rack of shoes, regardless of what size the living room is. You can’t allow your shoes to be scattered in the entryway. A rack will keep them organized and protect the entryway from unwanted damage.

When the space you’re handling is small, you need to get creative with organizing. You have to make sure that you can place more things in less space without making them look cluttered.

One idea is to place a shoe tray beneath the seating. This way, you can save space as well as stay organized. Alternatively, you can consider taller shoe racks that will save horizontal floor space.

5. Decorate Your Door

You can get creative with the door if you want to make your entryway more unique than others. Even if you have a small living room and a small entryway, a unique door will stand out and make a statement.

For instance, picking a bold color for the door can be one way to make the entrance creative. However, make sure that the design you’re choosing complements your house and doesn’t make your entryway look odd.

6. Install A Mirror

Another unique idea to define your entryway is to install a mirror on the wall. You can add a small floating shelf beneath the mirror to keep things like sunglasses and sunscreens. It’s a creative but popular idea to implement in homes, especially those which feature a small living room.

Alternatively, you can also consider hanging paintings or art pieces on the wall. It entirely depends on your home’s interior and your taste in decoration.

7. Add Greenery

One thing people often forget to consider is adding greenery to the entryway. You can place beautiful plants in the entryway if you’re into that. However, even if you don’t want to take care of plants, you can consider artificial options.

The thing about plants or artificial plants is that they come in all sizes and shapes. So, even if your entryway is small, you can fit a small piece of green in there. You will be surprised by how much it can change the outlook of your home entrance.

8. Proper Lighting

One thing we can’t emphasize enough is how essential proper lighting is. No matter how small or large your entryway is, always use enough light. If you have a small living room, adding a unique lighting system will make the entrance look more welcoming.

It also helps define the entrance, especially if your door directly opens into your living room. There’s no other alternative to make your entrance brighter and warmer.

9. Customized Walls

This is comparatively a bit expensive to do. But if you own the house and are willing to get creative, you should certainly give it a try. You can paint the walls with unique patterns.

The walls that make up the entrance can help separate it from the living room. So, if you’re willing to paint the walls, it can have a great impact. Undoubtedly, the entryway looks much better when it has customized walls around it.

10. Furniture Placement

Another great way to define your entryway is to place your living room furniture smartly. For instance, let’s say you’ve placed a sofa in your living room. If you install seating for the entryway behind that sofa, it will work out great for the entire interior.

You can also use the space to place a table instead of seating. This can work as storage for your entryway. You can place your keys and other essentials on the table.

11. Add A Bookcase

One popular idea for defining an entryway in small living rooms is placing a bookcase. It can separate the entryway from the living room and work as a great storage option too. If you’re a book lover, you will certainly love this idea.

Even if you are not, you can use the bookcase for placing other elements to decorate your entrance. For instance, photo frames, sunglasses, keys, candles, etc.

12. Build A Half Wall

This is one of the most expensive options to do. However, if you are willing to invest a bit in your entryway, a half-wall can help a lot. It is specifically suitable for smaller living rooms where it’s hard to define the entryway using any other ways.

You can use decorative elements to highlight the entryway if you have a half wall there. All in all, it’s a good idea if you are willing to go through the trouble.

If you want a detailed decor guide for half walls, check out How to Decorate Half Wall in Living Room? (8 Ideas).

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a round-shaped entryway, check out this guide- How To Decorate A Round Entryway: 5 Trendy Ideas

Final Say

The entryway is not only for others but also for you. Every day you leave the house, and the first thing that greets you at home is your entryway. So, make sure to go through the ideas we talked about on how to create an entryway in a small living room.

Even if you can’t do all of them, combining a few ideas can create a fantastic result. Most of these ideas are cheap and easy to do. Explore your alternatives and see what fits your house the most. A small living room shouldn’t be the reason why you can’t have a beautiful entryway.