{"id":673543,"date":"2026-09-05T07:28:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T07:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/673543\/"},"modified":"2026-09-05T07:28:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T07:28:17","slug":"10-ways-to-make-your-entryway-look-more-expensive-according-to-interior-designers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/673543\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways to Make Your Entryway Look More Expensive, According to Interior Designers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Estimated5 min read<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s a grand foyer or modest front hall, entryways<\/a> do more than simply connect the front door to the rest of the house. They offer a glimpse into the home\u2019s personality, welcoming you home at the end of the day, inviting in guests, and creating that all-important first impression.<\/p>\n

While you may only spend a few minutes there at a time, an entryway shapes nearly every departure and return, making it one of the most influential spaces in the home. Fortunately, creating an elevated, luxurious-looking entryway doesn\u2019t necessarily require a major remodel or renovation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaking it feel more expensive doesn\u2019t necessarily mean adding more,\u201d says Tracy Morris, principal designer at Tracy Morris Design<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s about thoughtful lighting, beautiful materials, restraint, and choosing a few elements that have real presence. The goal is to create a space that feels warm, polished, and intentional without feeling overly styled.\u201d<\/p>\n

To find out how to give your entryway the luxe, design-forward makeover it deserves, we turned to the pros. Ahead, interior designers share their favorite strategies for transforming a lackluster entryway into an engaging space worthy of its place at the front of your home.<\/p>\n

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Ngoc Minh Ngo<\/p>\n

Create a True Sense of Arrival<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe most luxurious entryways aren\u2019t necessarily about expensive furnishings,\u201d says Amanda Hickam, owner and principal designer of Harper Harris Design<\/a>. \u201cThey\u2019re about creating a sense of arrival.\u201d<\/p>\n

Architecturally, a dedicated foyer creates what Hickam describes as \u201ca moment of compression before the home opens up beyond it,\u201d giving guests a chance to pause and transition into the rest of the house. Even if you don\u2019t have a traditional foyer, defining the space with a rug, statement light fixture, console table, artwork, or a combination of all of the above can create that same intentional feeling.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best entryways create a transition between the outside world and inside the home,\u201d Hickam says. \u201cA moment to pause, feel welcomed, and anticipate what\u2019s beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

Layer Your Lighting<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lighting is one of the fastest ways to elevate an entryway, and designers agree that relying solely on an overhead fixture rarely creates the most welcoming atmosphere.<\/p>\n

\u201cLighting is one of the quickest ways to make an entry feel warm, inviting, and thoughtfully designed,\u201d says Morris, who recommends layering a beautiful ceiling fixture with recessed lighting to highlight artwork, plus a table lamp on the console for a softer glow throughout the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lamp glowing on the entry console creates the kind of warm, tiered lighting scheme that feels immediately inviting,\u201d adds Kathy Kuo, interior designer and founder and CEO of Kathy Kuo Home<\/a>. Choosing a dimmable lamp makes it easy to transition from bright daytime lighting to a softer evening ambiance.<\/p>\n

SAFAVIEH Jillianna Travertine & White Table Lamp\"Jillianna<\/a>SAFAVIEH Jillianna Travertine & White Table LampHang an Oversize Mirror<\/strong><\/p>\n

Few design elements work harder in an entryway than a mirror\u2014and not just because it\u2019s ideal for last-minute touch-ups as you\u2019re walking out the door. \u201cA large-scale mirror bounces light throughout your entryway and doubles the sense of space, which is especially transformative in a tight foyer,\u201d says Kuo. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the oldest tricks in a designer\u2019s book, and that\u2019s because it works every time.\u201d<\/p>\n

For even greater impact, she recommends choosing a mirror with an antique finish or sculptural frame that functions as artwork while reflecting natural light throughout the room.<\/p>\n

A Large 19th-Century Round Painted Mirror\"A<\/a>A Large 19th-Century Round Painted MirrorAdd Architectural Details<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the quickest ways to make a home feel custom is by introducing architectural character. \u201cCustom millwork always lends genuine architectural presence to a room, and picture frame molding is one of the simplest ways to do it,\u201d says Kuo. The panels can be left simple or used to frame artwork or wallpaper, instantly giving an otherwise plain foyer greater depth and sophistication.<\/p>\n

Hickam also recommends giving entryway walls, and even ceilings, their own identity through wallpaper, specialty paint finishes, or bold color. \u201cIt creates that subtle but important feeling of, \u2018I\u2019ve arrived,\u2019\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

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Thomas Loof<\/p>\n

Choose One Standout Piece<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rather than filling the space with an abundance of decorative accessories and furniture, focus on one memorable feature.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever your style, select furnishings that exude wealth,\u201d says Vicente Wolf, interior designer and founder of Vicente Wolf Associates<\/a>, and that doesn\u2019t mean chasing labels or items with a hefty price tag. He says, \u201cThat might mean a significant piece of art, an antique, or exquisitely crafted console\u2014but it could also mean something unexpected such as a piano or unusual sculptural object.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving the eye one focal point creates a stronger impression than competing collections of smaller objects. \u201cThe key is to give the eye something memorable to discover,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

Erbavoglio Milano Erbavoglio Milano Hand-Painted Copper Ornamental Flower\"Erbavoglio<\/a>Erbavoglio Milano Erbavoglio Milano Hand-Painted Copper Ornamental FlowerLet the Space Breathe<\/strong><\/p>\n

Luxury often isn\u2019t about adding more, but removing what\u2019s unnecessary. \u201cLess really is more,\u201d says Wolf. \u201cAir around the furnishings gives a room a relaxed quality that allows the design elements to have greater impact.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead of pushing every inch of the room full of furniture, allow your console table and decorative pieces enough breathing room to appreciate their proportions. The resulting sense of restraint usually feels far more sophisticated than a heavily decorated space.<\/p>\n

Morris agrees. \u201cI would rather see three meaningful objects with presence than ten accessories competing for attention.\u201d<\/p>\n

Incorporate Rich Textures<\/strong><\/p>\n

Texture is one of the simplest, yet most effective ways to make an entryway feel layered and engaging. \u201cWall texture truly does make a space feel more expensive,\u201d says Morris.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s grasscloth, plaster, textured wallpaper, or a specialty finish, adding dimension to the walls creates richness and character that paint simply can\u2019t replicate. Since entryways are typically compact, Morris says they\u2019re an ideal place to experiment with more distinctive finishes without overwhelming the rest of the home.<\/p>\n

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Thomas Loof<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Overlook the Floor<\/strong><\/p>\n

What\u2019s underfoot matters just as much as what\u2019s at eye level. \u201cA beautiful rug or thoughtfully selected flooring immediately establishes a sense of grounding when you walk through the door,\u201d says Morris. Her go-to is antique or vintage rugs because they introduce warmth, history, and character while standing up well to daily traffic. In more contemporary homes, a tonal, textural rug offers a similar effect.<\/p>\n

Whatever style you choose, scale matters just as much. \u201cA rug that is too small can make even a beautifully furnished foyer feel less considered,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Vintage Circa 1940 Orange Oushak Kelleh Hand Knotted Wool Runner 5’6 X 12’2\"Vintage<\/a>Vintage Circa 1940 Orange Oushak Kelleh Hand Knotted Wool Runner 5’6 X 12’2Style an Oversize Floral Arrangement<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fresh greenery instantly breathes life into an entryway, so don\u2019t hold back when it comes to scale. Or, you can instead opt for dried arrangements for lower maintenance.<\/p>\n

\u201cA generously scaled vase filled with tall branches brings life, height, and a little bit of drama to your entry table,\u201d says Kuo. She recommends changing the branches with the seasons, from cherry blossoms in springtime to pine in winter, to keep the space feeling fresh throughout the year.<\/p>\n

Introduce Reflective Finishes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strategic shine can make even a modest-sized entryway feel grander. \u201cLacquered ceilings and reflective floors expand the space and give a subliminal wow factor,\u201d says Wolf.<\/p>\n

Reflective surfaces bounce light throughout the room, making it feel brighter, larger, and more glamorous, similarly to how oversized mirrors function. A polished stone floor, mirrored accent, or high-gloss painted ceiling can introduce just enough shimmer to create understated luxury.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"5 min read Whether it\u2019s a grand foyer or modest front hall, entryways do more than simply connect…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":673544,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[267],"tags":[365,362,363,364,2320,284705,366,343,18,117,346,19,17,201411,590,160258,284704,240005,169388],"class_list":["post-673543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-artsdesign","tag-content-type-default","tag-contentid-28ee01ad-9955-4d9f-9699-bb0212c9582c","tag-design","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-eire","tag-entertainment","tag-hasproduct-true","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-us","tag-read_time-6","tag-shorttitle-10-ways-to-make-your-entryway-look-more-expensive","tag-sponsored-false","tag-subsection-designer-advice"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/117217258617280473","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/673543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=673543"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/673543\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/673544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=673543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=673543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=673543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}