The entrance to any home is the first impression your guests get when they come to visit. The entrance is your chance to let the world know what kind of person you are as well as what kind of home and household you have. If you are selling your property, then creating a welcoming entrance area is particularly important. Many people concentrate in the interior of their homes as that is where most of their time is spent. However the public "face" of your home will always appreciate a little attention too.
So what do we mean by entrance area? In general terms, it is the physical space that is immediately outside your main access door, and the space immediately inside that door as well. Homes are constructed in many different styles, from apartments to grand mansions, and while each may have a different entrance, they all have a main access point.
One of the first tips to remember is to keep your entrance in the style of the rest of your home, architecturally and aesthetically. If you have a palatial Georgian town house, trying to create a rustic veranda will look out of place and awkward.
A good trick when you are thinking of redesigning any part of your home is to try and look at it as a prospective purchaser would. If your entrance is directly onto the street outside, then go and stand on the other side of the road and see your home in its natural context. This will give you a good grasp of the scale of your design (a row of small terraced cottages will have less space to work with than a detached family home).
While you are across the street, look at how your neighbours have dressed their entrance areas too; if you live in a conservation area, there may be legal planning restrictions on the changes that you can make structurally. There may also be restrictions on things such as satellite dishes or aerials placed on the front of the building and you should always check with your local council before installing any semi permanent features or repainting the facade.
No matter what kind of entrance you have, keeping the access as uncluttered as possible is the safest way to improve the overall feel. Having obstructions around the entrance sends out a subconscious message that you do not want anyone to cross your barricades - not at all welcoming! Make a clear path to your door, and if you must keep other items nearby, try to arrange them neatly, or use some kind of camouflage technique such as a decorative trellis to screen your possessions. A door mat is always a good idea, if your tenancy or other occupier agreements permit it, but make sure it is regularly cleaned so that dirt is not brought into your home from it.
The access door is an important part of the entrance. A battered door with cracked glass and peeling paint gives the impression that the occupants care very little about their property or the comfort of others. A well painted door, with polished door furniture such as a brass knocker or doorbell, letter box plate and hinges is a quick and simple way to revamp your entrance area.
Make sure the hinges are cleaned and well-oiled and that the door does not stick or jam when opened. The way you identify your home, whether by numbers or a name, should also be part of the entrance area; a decorative name plate displayed next to the front door lets everyone know exactly where they are.
Once the door is open, the first glimpse inside your home from the doorway is just as important as the view from across the street. Many homes, no matter how clean, have a particular smell about them. If you realise that the smell of your home may not be quite as welcoming as you would like, try adding an air freshener to your entrance hall or a bowl of potpourri or scented candles to give some fragrance in an unobtrusive way.
If you would like people to remove their shoes when they enter, you should provide space for them to do so, and for the shoes to be left without causing an obstruction. Hooks or a stand to hang coats and umbrellas from is a good addition, but again site these a little way from the door itself so that the access is not restricted.
Entrance halls should be light and bright. They are not designed for comfort in the same way that a lounge or bedroom is. They are practical high traffic areas that need clear hard-wearing floor surfaces and simple accessories. Any rugs you may want to use in this area should have a non-slip backing, but more efficient for an entrance hall would be hard-wood or tile flooring. This is easier to keep clean, and very tough.
The walls of an entrance hall are also likely to take some hard knocks and mud splatters. Using a durable paint in a neutral colour such as cream means you can clean and re-paint regularly without worrying about matching a specific shade. Use an accent colour to highlight any windows, rugs or soft furnishings in your entrance that is then repeated as a main colour in an adjoining room such as the lounge. This gives a continuity as your guests move through the house and is easy on the eye.
Finally, adding something unusual to your entrance area that indicates your personality or family disposition makes a good conversation point. If you have a sporting hobby, perhaps adding some memorabilia in the form of photographs or trophies will make the entrance more "yours". If you collect cartoons or baseball cards, displaying them in frames on the walls makes a great personal decoration.
The entrance area is your chance to set the stage for the rest of your home. It is the opportunity for guests to get a feel for you as a person, in your natural habitat, and also indicates how they can expect to be treated by you when they visit. The more welcoming your entrance, the more guests will be passing through to admire it.