by Veronica Bowman

Created on: November 18, 2009   Last Updated: March 03, 2011

You want people to feel welcomed when they enter your home. If you have a foyer that your guests step into upon entering your home, you have numerous decorating options for creating a welcoming entrance area. However, if your guests step directly into your living area, you might have to be a little more creative when establishing a welcoming entrance.

An uncluttered, well lit path to your door is the first step in making your guests feel welcome. An attractive mat outside your door can always make a good first impression. A decorative wreath on or beside your door can also give your home an inviting look.

If the entrance to your home has a foyer, you can easily create a warm and inviting space there. When decorating your foyer, be sure to keep the amount of items you place in the foyer reasonable for the size of the area. You don't want your guest to have to squeeze by furniture to get inside your home.

An accent table with a beautiful piece of art hanging above it is a good way to welcome guests into your home. A tall green plant in the corner or a flower arrangement on a small table create a pleasant atmosphere in the foyer. A large mirror or an arrangement of small mirrors on the wall can make your foyer feel larger. A small rug placed at the door or one that extends across the floor leading your guest inside is perfect for any foyer. You should avoid hanging items in a foyer that do not fit flush against the wall. There is always a chance that when several people arrive at the same time or someone removes their coat while in the foyer, an object projecting from the wall will accidentally be bumped and possibly broken.

If you do not have a foyer in your home and your guests walk directly into your living area, you may have a more difficult decorating situation. First of all, the room where guests enter should always be kept free of clutter. If there is a wall that people look directly at when they enter your home, use this space to its maximum potential. Hang a large painting or a metal wall sculpture on this focal point.  Wall words are a popular decorating feature.  An inspirational quote on the wall would be a good way to greet guests.  Just as in the foyer, you could place an arrangement of rugs at the entrance that lead your guest into your living area. Arrange the furniture in your living area so that your guests do not have to navigate an obstacle course to reach the sofa or chairs.

A welcoming entrance begins outside of your front door and continues into the living area. Be sure to create an attractive continual, unobstructed flow from the front door to the living area.

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