10 Easy Decorating Ideas for a Festive Entryway
'Tis the season for welcoming guests with wreaths, special lighting and plenty of comfy seating
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/), my blog devoted to all of the things that make a house a home - decorating from the heart, living with intention, and savoring life's simple pleasures.
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/),... More »
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Between holiday parties, friends' dropping in and overnight houseguests, our homes are on display more than ever this time of year. Make a fun first impression with chic, festive entryway decor that will last all season long. Whether you want to make a few quick and wallet-friendly changes, or you have a more ambitious decorating project in mind, these 10 ideas are sure to get your wheels turning.
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Hang a simple green wreath with jute ribbon. Take any plain wreath of greenery and give it a special twist by looping a length of burlap or jute webbing around it, then fasten the wreath to the top of your door. This is totally doable, and it won't leave any marks on your front door.
Start with strong structural elements that will last all season. Neatly trimmed hedges, topiaries, a handsome porch light and a freshly painted door look welcoming even without additional embellishment.
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Light up pathways. Luminarias, either store bought or homemade, are a really simple way to create ambience at the front of your house. If you're making your own, partially fill paper bags with sand and nestle votive candles inside.
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Add a fancy door knocker. It's amazing what this one change can do for your home's curb appeal! A stately lion adds tons of character, and you will appreciate the upgrade even after the holidays are over.
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| Stencil or glue numbers on the front door. Not happy with your blah old house numbers? Try painting them on with number stencils or order a custom decal — search for "door number decal" on Etsy to find lots of options. |
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Ramp up the color. Stepping through the door on a dreary, cold day should feel like a warm hug, and the easiest way to accomplish that is through color. Any bright, saturated hue will feel festive, so think beyond seasonal reds and greens.
In the entryway featured here, a vibrant orange gourd lamp livens up a formal demilune table and classic gold-framed mirror. Blue and white urns placed on the floor tie in the colors of the rug.
In the entryway featured here, a vibrant orange gourd lamp livens up a formal demilune table and classic gold-framed mirror. Blue and white urns placed on the floor tie in the colors of the rug.
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Plant now for festive blooms next month. Spend a few bucks on bulbs (paperwhites and amaryllis are favorites) and force them now to have gorgeous blooms to fill your entry hall in time for the holidays. You may even want to plant more than you need and keep them on hand to give as hostess gifts.
Read about how to force bulbs indoors
Read about how to force bulbs indoors
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Fill an empty corner with a round table and stools. If you are lucky enough to have a bit of space in your entryway, don't let it go to waste — especially during the holidays! A round table softens up a blank corner and provides the perfect spot for a few extra seats. Fill the table library style with stacks of books and anchor the arrangement with a container of long-lasting branches.
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| Carve out a spot for a gracious pause. Another way to fill an empty corner in the entryway is with a cozy bench. Either built in or freestanding, amply proportioned seating feels luxurious in the entryway — and is practical for removing mucky shoes, too. |
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Paint the walls a warm, buttery hue. Cultivate a feeling of warmth and comfort with a rich golden-yellow paint color. The entryway is a great place to experiment with color, so even if the rest of your home is more subdued, consider using something with a bit more oomph here.
Tell us: How do you decorate your entryway for the holiday season?
Tell us: How do you decorate your entryway for the holiday season?
Comments
tcufrog Our front doors have ironwork at the top so we attach our wreaths to that with zip ties. There's a curved area next to our front staircase so we put our 9 foot Christmas tree there. If I have time I wrap garlands around the staircase and top landing railing.
6 months ago · Like
mcd53 A wreath and some lights?
6 months ago · Like
ecascio Love the door numbers. I've agonized over them and finally decided on a decal for the steps 
6 months ago · Like
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patscats2 That orange lamp was a nice surprise. My foyer needs a pop of something. I love the one with the built in corner bench, different and inviting.
6 months ago · Like
Betsy Hall My fall entry - I, too, love the decal house number idea! 
6 months ago · Like
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lilion Am I the only one who hates paperwhites? They're lovely, but they smell like Raid to me.
6 months ago · Like
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jotrueman i live in australia where there is none of the pretty plants too hot in far north queensland only all tropical stuff grows and everything else ire quires great effort and then dies. I love all your home entrys ours are insignificant and boring
6 months ago · Like
patscats2 lilion, I"ve heard that about paper white's and that's why I've never tried to grow them. So you are not alone, they do stink.
6 months ago · Like
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lilion That's so sad, because they're so pretty. Someone gave me some one year for Christmas and after they bloomed I came down stairs one morning thinking someone had been spraying insecticide. It took me ages to figure out it was the flowers - and they're strong too! I may try amaryillis some time.
6 months ago · Like
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Jan C. lilion, you are not alone. I grew some one year and yes, they are pretty but the smell gave me a headache. I had to put them out in the front hall. Never again. Pee-uww.
6 months ago · Like
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lmarkum Festive door wreath outside and multi-colored poinsettias on low and medium tall plant stands inside. Simple and traditional.
6 months ago · Like
herricanem I grew a bunch of paperwhites in my sunroom one year and didn't know about the smell. One morning I caught a whiff and checked my todler's diaper before I realized that the odor was from the paperwhites.
6 months ago · Like
Barnhart Gallery Huh? I haven't grown them for years, but I recall thinking they smelled wonderful. Perhaps I'm confusing them with hiacynths, or perhaps the water needs to be changed out?
5 months ago · Like
Michael Healy Designs Find Unique Door Knockers from Michael Healy Desings at www.michaelhealy.com 
5 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Nov. 9, 2012.
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