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Without stating the obvious, the entrance of your home is the first thing that you see when you arrive home, and the first thing that a guest sees when they visit your home.
There are lots of things that you can do to make the entrance of your home more appealing, and in some cases, it can actually add value to your home and make it easier to sell.
There are two points to think of: the outside curb appeal and the wow factor indoors. Here’s how to give the entrance of your home a makeover.
Curb Appeal
It’s important for your home to look just as good on the outside, as it does on the inside. A well-looked after exterior implies that you care about your home and it’s actually simpler than you think to make it look great.
Start by clearing away any garden weeds. You can then add a path to guide guests toward your home – ensure that it is wide enough for two people. You can plant some flowers in your front yard, which will make passers-by stop and appreciate your home.
If you have plenty of windows at the front of your home, use window boxes for a cute vintage look. You can paint your front door a bold color to make it stand out and place a few flowerpots nearby.
If you have a garage, make sure it has a nice, new door. At night, you can emphasize your home’s architecture using lighting, and if you use solar or LED lights, this doesn’t have to cost the earth.
If you have a porch, try painting the roof a different color, enhancing the architecture with moldings, and applying symmetry by lining up some chairs with your front door. Lastly, always clean your gutters and keep them topped up with a fresh coat of paint.
Hallway Flooring
Often, your hallway can look cluttered and dull. After all, it’s not a space where you spend a lot of time, so it is usually neglected when it comes to renovating.
For your hallway flooring, you will need something hard-wearing that can withstand a lot of foot traffic.
You can use tiles to play with pattern or experiment with different finishes of wood. Use rugs to add texture to space.
Light
If you don’t plan the lighting effectively in your hallway, you can end up feeling like the space is dark and cramped. Lighting will make your guest feel welcomed when they enter your home and create a great ambiance.
You should always start with natural lighting – remove any heavy curtains and use sheer blinds instead. If you don’t have any windows, consider adding a skylight and using a mirror to reflect the light. With artificial lighting, a statement fixture like a pendant or chandelier hanging down creates drama – just ensure that your ceiling is high enough!
Floor lamps can create a more subtle look and are a great alternative if you don’t have any ceiling space.
Create a Focal Point
Don’t be afraid to create a focal point in your hallway. Most people avoid furniture due to a lack of space, but a great cabinet or shelf can draw attention to the area and provide hidden storage for shoes.
A mirror is also a great focal point, and who doesn’t like to see what they look like right before they leave the house?
Get Rid of Clutter
Having guests fall over your shoes when they enter your home never makes a good impression.
To avoid this, make sure you have somewhere to put coats, letters, keys and shoes. Hooks and coat racks work well if you don’t have enough floor space for a cupboard, and you can get creative by placing the hooks at different heights.
Walls
If you don’t have much space in your hallway, it can be a great place to experiment with out-there patterns on the walls that you wouldn’t necessarily place in a larger room. If you don’t want a patterned wall, consider painting it a bold color or hanging large pieces of art.
A wall mural is a great way to incorporate art and color, and you can use the colors in the mural to bring the rest of the space together with accessories – you can use the mural as the focal point, so don’t pick colors for the rest of the space that work against it.
Staircase
Most homes have the staircase in the hallway, which is a great opportunity for you to make a statement. You can go as small, or as big as you would like. If you’re starting off small, try experimenting with a boldly patterned stair runner or even one in a block color.
If you’re going for a bigger renovation of the staircase, you can start experimenting with the balustrades and the treads themselves. You can go to a trusted retailer and buy a range of stair parts if you don’t want to renovate the whole thing. Glass, floating staircases will really wow visitors.
