22 Welcoming Entryway Wall Ideas to Make a Great First Impression

By
Michelle Mastro
michelle mastro
Michelle Mastro
Michelle Mastro is an expert writer who covers lifestyle topics such as home styles and home decorating trends.
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Published on 10/05/23
A white entryway is decorated with Western style decor items that include a framed horse picture and a pitchfork hung parallel to the floor but above a small side table.

Design by Rincon Rd / Photo by Amy Bartlam

Though smaller spaces, entryway walls can have a major design impact if they're thoughtfully styled. Besides being welcoming, an entryway can also set the right tone for the rest of your house's decor from the get-go, which is why it’s important to make entryway walls feel cohesive.

We've rounded up 22 entryway wall ideas, so you can gain some inspiration on how to make a great first impression.

  • 01 of 22

    Vary Styles

    A farmhouse style door opens to a brick entryway that leads to a framed drawing of a tree

    Ellie Mroz Design / Laura Moss Photography

    Sometimes blending aesthetics can yield new and interesting designs. Ellie Mroz Design mixed different styles for a subtle, provincial flourish in the entryway. The entryway combines several different looks. From the home's Dutch door to the framed artwork, it creates a fusion between modern farmhouse and cottage core.

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  • 02 of 22

    Opt for Abstract

    White painted entryway wall with a large abstract painting framed above a side table filled with decorative items

    Think Chic Interiors / Photo by Hulya Kolabas 

    You can never go wrong with some standout framed artwork. Think Chic Interiors added this framed abstract artwork above a side table to fill up the wall’s formerly blank space. It draws the viewer's eye upward from the collection of decorative items on the table to the top of the room.

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  • 03 of 22

    Choose Shapes

    A white entryway wall covered in five circular mirrors ascending parallel to a flight of stairs

    Marian Louise Design / Photo by Kerry Kirk

    Marian Louise Design added some whimsy and character to this white entryway wall by hanging various circular mirrors to create a unique display. The soft shapes offer an interesting juxtaposition when compared with the harsh edge of the stairway wall just behind them.

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  • 04 of 22

    Think About Paneling

    An entryway wall has decorative paneling in white and a white framed blue piece of artwork is hung above the paneling

    K+Co Living

    If you have an entryway wall covered in paneling, top it off with a small, simple piece of artwork. K+Co. Living chose a bench with throw pillows and artwork with a mostly neutral blue tone. These items help herald in a pop of color, offsetting the entryway's all-white space.

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  • 05 of 22

    Go West

    A white entryway is decorated with Western style decor items that include a framed horse picture and a pitchfork hung parallel to the floor but above a small side table.

    Rincon Rd. / Photo by Amy Bartlam

    Even in the entryway, you can weave farmhouse style into interior designs. Rincon Rd. created an entryway covered in allusions to life on the farm—including the pitchfork on the entryway wall.

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  • 06 of 22

    Match Everything

    An entryway wall is decorated to match another nearby wall. Both are outfitted with art deco style mirrors and semi circle shaped side tables on which sit white lamps and a houseplant.

    Maggie Griffin Design / Photo by Kaylan Bradley

    Match your decor for simplicity’s sake but also to create a sense of instant cohesion. Maggie Griffin Design added two identical lamps and small side tables to the walls along this entryway.

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  • 07 of 22

    Combine Colors

    A gray entryway wall is decorated with 3D artwork that resembles a giant puff ball.

    Ashley DeLapp Interior Design / Photo by Cat Wiborne

    Think gray and lime green can’t combine? For a brilliantly colorful space, Ashley DeLapp Interior Design paired the two shades to make heads turn the moment they entered the threshold.

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  • 08 of 22

    Lean Into Midcentury Modern

    A white entryway wall has a Midcentury Modern style mirror in wood matching the front door.

    Forge & Bow / Photo by Christa Tippmann

    Midcentury modern loves an emphasis on shapes. The door to this entryway is a classic mid-mod glass door, so Forge & Bow paired it with a mirror that pulls from the same look as this statement-making MCM door.

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  • 09 of 22

    See Double

    Two entryway walls have identical side tables covered in two lamps and potted flowers

    Maggie Griffin Design / Photo Credit by Brian Bieder

    Maggie Griffin Design balanced both sides of this entryway with the same decor against the walls. The side tables were also made symmetrical with the balance of the two lamps and potted flowers.

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  • 10 of 22

    Go With Frames and Panels

    A simple white entryway wall is framed with a bright turquoise door frame and partial wall paneling.

    Forge & Bow / Arris Photography

    Forge & Bow kept these entryway walls' decor to a minimum since there was already a lot going on in terms of color. With the bright turquoise paint and half-wall paneling, the decorative wall pieces are able to blend in seamlessly with their wooden accents.

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  • 11 of 22

    Complement the Door

    A large mostly glass door opens to a small light wood side table above which hangs a circular mirror

    Design by William Hunter Collective / Styled by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Tramp-Ligorria

    Emily Henderson Design placed a decorative mirror on this entryway wall to complement the massive glass door. With a statement-making front door like this, you don’t need more than a few pieces on the entryway wall like this round mirror. A modern side table was then topped off with collectibles to create a balanced look.

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  • 12 of 22

    Add Built-Ins

    A built-in shelf of dark wood runs along the entryway wall and if brimming with shelves covered in framed art , books, potted plants, and small collectibles

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Tramp

    Built-in cabinets and shelves make for a collected look in the entryway. Emily Henderson Design added framed minimalist art and modern collectibles to give that lived-in appeal without making the space feel too cluttered.

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  • 13 of 22

    Paint an Accent Wall

    A bright green accent wall is paired with the rest of the room's white walls. The green wall has a modern white side table covered in modern artwork.

    Grey Joyner Interiors / Photo by Mike Jones

    Want to make a statement with your entryway? Paint an accent wall in bright paint and pair it with contemporary shapes and pieces like Grey Joyner Interiors did.

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  • 14 of 22

    Hang Up a Gallery Wall

    A sage green wall is covered in a gallery of framed artworks and scones with tall pink candles.

    Design by Caitlin Higgins / Styled by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    Tiny entryways can still be impactful. Emily Henderson Design placed a gallery wall filled with modern colors and designs between two hanging candle holders. The candles elevated the wall’s look, adding a touch of sophistication without overstating their elegance.

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  • 15 of 22

    Keep It Simple

    A white room has a wood floor with an entryway ground covered in a long bright rug

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

    If you have a ton of open space, try paring down your entryway. This entryway designed by Emily Henderson doesn’t need more than a picture and bench to complete the decor.

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  • 16 of 22

    Switch Up the Minimalism

    A white room has rustic style uncreated wood timbering for a roof and wood stairs. The entryway has a small bench and two wood framed art pieces of pressed flowers.

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    In Swedish design, wood tones and other rustic pieces take pride of place. Designed by Emily Henderson, this entryway wall keeps it crisp and clean with two wood framed art pieces to fit the home's Swedish and minimalist aesthetic.

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  • 17 of 22

    Keep the Utility

    A light pink bench site below a long line of racks to hang coats and hats

    Designed by Jess Bunge for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Tramp

    An entryway wall can also be functional. Emily Henderson Design created this entryway space to keep accessories on hand while adding some style with a chic bench layered with a houseplant and basket.

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  • 18 of 22

    Picture Some Colorful Art

    Large wooden doors open to a modern entryway table paired with four brightly colored framed artworks in neon water colors.

    Marian Louise Design / Photo by Kerry Kirk

    Marian Louise Design paired this home's large entryway doors and modern circular table with a collection of colorful wall art. The bright colors feel just as modern and eclectic as these other standout features.

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  • 19 of 22

    Stick in Shelves

    Bright aqua mudroom built-in cubbies are paired with dark blue floor tile.

    Forge & Bow / Arris Photography

    For entryways that lead into mudrooms, built-in shelves and cubbies are the best wall decor for their function and utility. Forge & Bow dressed these up with bright aqua paint and honeycomb floor tiles.

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  • 20 of 22

    Consider Pops of Color

    An entryway has a bright blue rug along with a nightstand upcycled into a small side table covered in houseplants.

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    Because this home leans eclectic with colors and patterns, Emily Henderson decorated the entryway wall with bright gold sconces and a thinly framed mirror to highlight color and shimmer.

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  • 21 of 22

    Sprinkle in Cozy Pieces

    A simple wood bench is cozied up with a faux fur blanket and three hanging wall art pieces capturing images of mountain tops

    Design by Mel Burstin for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

    Emily Henderson Design kept the wall decor cozy with a string of images all of the same mountain range. For added warmth, they popped in some pillows and a faux fur throw blanket to set a comfortable feel to a cold wintertime house.

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  • 22 of 22

    Add a Statement Piece

    A white paneled wall near the entryway is covered in an irregularly shaped wood framed mirror below which sits a modern wood chair

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Tramp

    Another way to decorate paneled entryway walls is with a simple mirror as a statement piece. Emily Henderson Design paired it with a wood chair to add another layer of visual interest.

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