Just as people judge a book by its cover, they also judge a home by its entry 
Photography by Alana Landsberry
Science has proven it takes seven seconds to form a first impression of someone, so we’d imagine they wouldn’t spend much more time summing up your home from its entryway. Make sure they get a good first impression with strong visual interest.
All too often though, it ends up as the place where everyone dumps shoes, bags and coats so some system of storage is vital. Marrying form with function is the secret.
Consider these ideas to update your entryway design
Homely in a hotel lobby
Give your entry the boutique hotel lobby treatment and elevate the home arrival experience.
Clockwise from top left: Anchorage Rug in shade Stone, $1,030, at Flooring Xtra; New Works Ware Table Lamp, $565, at Slow Store; La Scala Walnut Console, $2,695, at Coco Republic.
To create a luxurious feel, an uncluttered approach is best. You’ll want to invest in a beautiful console – preferably with a marble top, some art, a one-off lamp or decorative piece and a rug. Job done.
Pretty in pink
Stand out from the crowd by painting your front door an unforgettable colour.
Clockwise from top left: Humes Doors Nexus Entrance Door, $710, at Bunnings; Cycas Revoluta Plant, $52.99, at Kings Plant Barn; Resene Awaken Testpot, $10, at Shop Your Home and Garden; Magnolia Tree Garden Pot, $127.20 (usually $159), at Freedom Furniture; Urban Doormat, $49.34, at Dick Smith.
This pink door and black exterior combo packs a real punch – for all the right reasons. A few well-tended pot plants in matching white pots will always be a welcome sight when you come home at the end of a long day.
Gorgeously geometric
Invest in an architectural door pull or handle.
Clockwise from top left: Ikonic Front Door Pull, $117.59, at Bunnings; Gregory Timber Handle, $125, at The Arc Dept; Entrada Beam Aged Brass Door Pull, $1,190, at Powersurge; Joseph Giles Solid Brass Hammered Half Moon Door Pull, $1,935, at In Residence.
Think of a door handle as adornment as much as it is a means to getting inside. Bold, geometric shapes or long metal pulls put the drama into an entrance.
Storage style
Go all out with storage. Because it’s something you can never have too much of.
Clockwise from top left: Cubx 2-Door White Cupboard, $569 (usually $679), at Target; Oak Spindle Bench, $1,695, at Cuchi; Topcer Tiles, $128.80 (usually $184 per sqm), at Tile Warehouse; Skew Mirror, $149.50 (usually $299), at Nood.
Custom-built cupboards are a luxury but they give you so many options. Not only can every member of the family have their own cupboard for coats and bags, but if you have room to spare, just imagine what you could store.
This locker room-like entrance has been well thought out right down to the padded bench to park yourself while putting on shoes and the mirror to do a last check in the morning. It also looks pretty with the blue and green checkered tile floor.
Creative and colourful
A DIY paint project to transform a white run-of-the-mill entry into something special.
Clockwise from top left: Resene Rolling Hills Testpot, $10, at Shop Your Home and Garden; Resene Light Fantastic Testpot, $10, at Shop Your Home and Garden; Wiggle Wall Hanger, $60, at Odd Thing; Wall Hook, $12, at Kmart; Beck Coat Hook, $85.45 (usually $94.95), at Freedom.
Because you’re not in an entrance for any length of time like a kitchen, you can afford to be creative for the cost of some paint. Go wild and paint in some arches in contrasting colours and hang some coat hooks.
It’s a great way of separating the entry from the living space if you don’t have a grand entrance or long hall.
Lovely letterboxes
Invest in an architectural door pull or handle.
Clockwise from top left: Sandleford Wall-Mounted Letterbox, $137, at Bunnings; Mail Boss Nelson Metal Letterbox, $149, at Mitre 10; Architectural Mailboxes Aspen Wall-Mount Letterbox, $177 (usually $269), at HomeLoft; Horizontal Lighted Panel House Number Sign, $228.38, at Luxello; Large Steel Corten House Number, $140, at Lisa Sarah Steel Designs.
Think of a door handle as adornment as much as it is a means to getting inside. Bold, geometric shapes or long metal pulls put the drama into an entrance.
Photography: Are Media syndication, supplied
Read this next: 10 easy ways to increase the value of your home
EXPERT PROJECTS
Create the home of your dreams with Shop Your Home and Garden
SHOP NOW
