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Expansive Entrance Ideas and Designs

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Design Excellence Award Winners - A Sampling of 20 Years of Professional Honors
Design Excellence Award Winners - A Sampling of 20 Years of Professional Honors
Pineapple House Interior DesignPineapple House Interior Design
The glass entry in this new construction allows views from the front steps, through the house, to a waterfall feature in the back yard. Wood on walls, floors & ceilings (beams, doors, insets, etc.,) warms the cool, hard feel of steel/glass.
European Inspired Transitional Home
European Inspired Transitional Home
Design DCADesign DCA
Foyer with stairs and Dining Room beyond.
Piedmont Residence
Piedmont Residence
AND Interior Design StudioAND Interior Design Studio
Interior Design: Anne Norton AND interior Design Studio Berkeley, CA 94707
Vented Lockers And Drawers In Mudroom
Vented Lockers And Drawers In Mudroom
Christopher Scott Cabinetry and Design Inc.Christopher Scott Cabinetry and Design Inc.
Form meets function in this charming mudroom, offering customer inset cabinetry designed to give a home to the odds and ends of your home.
Isle of Palms Lowcountry Modern
Isle of Palms Lowcountry Modern
Phillip Smith General Contractor, LLCPhillip Smith General Contractor, LLC
Bloomfield Estates 3
Bloomfield Estates 3
La Marco HomesLa Marco Homes
An impressive entrance with dramatic iron and wood staircase.
501 W 33rd St.
501 W 33rd St.
REALTORREALTOR
Circa 1929 Bungalow expanded from 1129 sf to 3100+ sf. 4 bedrooms, office, 2 living areas, 3 full baths, utility room with dog bath, carport; hardwood floors throughout; designer kitchen.
Point Loma Addition Remodel
Point Loma Addition Remodel
Lars Remodeling & DesignLars Remodeling & Design
The goal for this Point Loma home was to transform it from the adorable beach bungalow it already was by expanding its footprint and giving it distinctive Craftsman characteristics while achieving a comfortable, modern aesthetic inside that perfectly caters to the active young family who lives here. By extending and reconfiguring the front portion of the home, we were able to not only add significant square footage, but create much needed usable space for a home office and comfortable family living room that flows directly into a large, open plan kitchen and dining area. A custom built-in entertainment center accented with shiplap is the focal point for the living room and the light color of the walls are perfect with the natural light that floods the space, courtesy of strategically placed windows and skylights. The kitchen was redone to feel modern and accommodate the homeowners busy lifestyle and love of entertaining. Beautiful white kitchen cabinetry sets the stage for a large island that packs a pop of color in a gorgeous teal hue. A Sub-Zero classic side by side refrigerator and Jenn-Air cooktop, steam oven, and wall oven provide the power in this kitchen while a white subway tile backsplash in a sophisticated herringbone pattern, gold pulls and stunning pendant lighting add the perfect design details. Another great addition to this project is the use of space to create separate wine and coffee bars on either side of the doorway. A large wine refrigerator is offset by beautiful natural wood floating shelves to store wine glasses and house a healthy Bourbon collection. The coffee bar is the perfect first top in the morning with a coffee maker and floating shelves to store coffee and cups. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring was selected for use throughout the home, offering the warm feel of hardwood, with the benefits of being waterproof and nearly indestructible - two key factors with young kids! For the exterior of the home, it was important to capture classic Craftsman elements including the post and rock detail, wood siding, eves, and trimming around windows and doors. We think the porch is one of the cutest in San Diego and the custom wood door truly ties the look and feel of this beautiful home together.
Nantucket Coastal Shaker Front Door
Nantucket Coastal Shaker Front Door
Elite Design GroupElite Design Group
Knotty Alder Double Front Entry Doors and Staircase
Knotty Alder Double Front Entry Doors and Staircase
Orren Pickell Building GroupOrren Pickell Building Group
Front door is a pair of 36" x 96" x 2 1/4" DSA Master Crafted Door with 3-point locking mechanism, (6) divided lites, and (1) raised panel at lower part of the doors in knotty alder. Photo by Mike Kaskel
HOUSE IN CHILMARK
HOUSE IN CHILMARK
MacNelly Cohen Architects P.C.MacNelly Cohen Architects P.C.
32- Provo, Utah Residence
32- Provo, Utah Residence
Masterpiece Millwork & DoorMasterpiece Millwork & Door
Joshua Caldwell
Villandry Circle
Villandry Circle
Hills & GrantHills & Grant
Photo: Lisa Petrole
Lincoln Park Transitional
Lincoln Park Transitional
BGD&C Custom HomesBGD&C Custom Homes
One of the most important rooms in the house, the Mudroom had to accommodate everyone’s needs coming and going. As such, this nerve center of the home has ample storage, space to pull off your boots, and a house desk to drop your keys, school books or briefcase. Kadlec Architecture + Design combined clever details using O’Brien Harris stained oak millwork, foundation brick subway tile, and a custom designed “chalkboard” mural. Architecture, Design & Construction by BGD&C Interior Design by Kaldec Architecture + Design Exterior Photography: Tony Soluri Interior Photography: Nathan Kirkman
Transitional Estate
Transitional Estate
Interior ArchaeologyInterior Archaeology
Modern Oceanfront Estate Entrance
Modern Oceanfront Estate Entrance
Solanna Design & Development LLCSolanna Design & Development LLC
Dramatic contemporary steel railing staircase greet guests in this modern oceanfront estate featuring furnishings by Berman Rosetti, Mimi London and Clark Functional Art.
Contemporary Entry
Contemporary Entry
Old World Hacienda by John Siemering Homes Austin TX
Old World Hacienda by John Siemering Homes Austin TX
John Siemering HomesJohn Siemering Homes
John Siemering Homes. Custom Home Builder in Austin, TX
GOLF FRONT TRANSITIONAL ESTATE IN WINDERMERE FLORIDA
GOLF FRONT TRANSITIONAL ESTATE IN WINDERMERE FLORIDA
Element Home BuildersElement Home Builders
Norsota Way Siesta Key
Norsota Way Siesta Key
Perrone Construction Custom HomesPerrone Construction Custom Homes
Perrone

Expansive Entrance Ideas and Designs

The entrance of your home is a critical area to design well because as we all know, first impressions count. As the first thing that visitors will see when they arrive, your entrance is your opportunity to offer guests a warm welcome while introducing the personality of your home. Equally important, it welcomes you home every day, so make it somewhere that you’re glad to come home to. The entrance to your home begins the moment you get to the front door, so make sure both inside and out get the attention of your decorator’s touch. Make your foyer the best possible introduction to the rest of the house, and if you wish, you can have a bit of fun with the doorway; paint, tiles, door handles and lighting are all ways to make front doors a statement – a dramatic entrance, if you will.

What front doors can I choose from?

Your first decision when updating front doors is what type of external doors you want to use, taking into account style, security and accessibility. Investing in a high quality front door is always worthwhile – this is a purchase where a little extra money goes a long way. Hardwood exterior doors remain the most popular choice of front door; as well as being the most economical, timber also opens the door to an endless selection of paint, hardware and embellishment. However, natural wood doors do have their downsides – prone to warping, they require more upkeep and may require replacing if not adequately cared for. Whether you opt for solid oak external doors or an oak veneer option, wooden doors are a match made in heaven for period architecture – it’s hard to imagine a Georgian house without a solid, six-panel door, or a Victorian home sans its gleaming hardware and stained glass panes. If you prefer non-wooden exterior doors, the alternatives are UPVC doors, GRP doors (collectively known as composite doors) and steel doors. UPVC front doors are often the most inexpensive alternative to timber and offer added insulation benefits; because the material itself can be a comparatively insubstantial, UPVC external doors are built into steel door frames for added reinforcement. GRP (glass-reinforced plastic, or fibreglass to you and me) doors offer the same properties, with a woodgrain effect that can provide a happy medium for lovers of timber. Steel doors are less widely used in the UK than the US, and make great contemporary front doors thanks to their sleek, modern appearance.

How do I decorate my doorway?

Renovating or replacing your front doors is one of the quickest ways to give your home a makeover, and affords the perfect opportunity to add a splash of colour to the front of your home. To improve your front door’s kerb appeal you can flank the doorway with decorative trees or flowering plants in attractive planters and “dress” the door with shiny hardware. Door knockers and door knobs can be more than functional with a range of styles and materials available to add some personality to exterior doors. A traditional brass door knocker can be the perfect complement to a solid oak doorway painted in a rich shade of green or blue, whilst contemporary chrome door hardware will look perfect against a white or eggshell door. If you are looking for an elegant front door option, opt for a hardwood door with built in obscured glass panels to let light into your hallway. If you would rather avoid a glass paned front door for security reasons then smaller decorative glass panels can also be inserted into the surround or door frame. You can choose stained glass panes for decorative effect, patterned or textured glass will allow light in but protect your privacy or get your home name or number etched into a glass pane for a practical but personal touch.

How should I light my front entrance?

The warm glow from a doorway is one of the most welcoming sights that can greet us when we arrive home. An entrance light is of practical importance – we have all spent time fumbling for our house keys in the dark – but it also offers an opportunity to add warmth and character to front doors and entrances. A wall mounted lantern is a charming traditional choice, or for bright, directed illumination opt for a security spotlight. There are a whole variety of switching options available – you can choose a motion sensor light that switches on right when you need it most, a timer light that will offer illumination on a fixed schedule or a switched outdoor light. Pointing light upward is a good way to avoid harsh glare, or choose recessed lighting if you prefer not to have a hanging light in front of your external doors. An entrance is also a great place to display lighting as a decorative feature – choose a table lamp that echoes the lines and colours of the hall beyond it.

What furniture and storage do I need in my entryway?

It’s important to keep the entrance to your home as open and clutter free as possible, so selecting a few practical items that will help with storage and offer a warm welcome is the best approach for this area. Coat stands, umbrella holders and shoe racks are practical foyer additions that will keep the area tidy. For the knick knacks and paraphernalia that so often accumulate by front doors, sideboards or console tables are helpful and opting for a something with a drawer is a clever trick to ensure these things can be stowed out of sight. If you have the space, an armchair, occasional chair or hallway bench will prove useful for perching on when removing shoes and definitely consider multi-functional furniture such as a storage bench for shoes. A wall mounted shoe cabinet is a must have for a tighter space, getting shoes off the floor and neatly stowed away.

How do I decorate my foyer?

Particularly in the entrance to the home, colour can be a wonderful tool to set the tone of the house. Neutral palettes can create a serene atmosphere appropriate for greeting guests; alternatively, you might find yourself being a little bit more adventurous by choosing a whimsical wallpaper or a bold wall colour that could look overwhelming anywhere else in the house. In either case, the foyer can be blended seamlessly into the home with details that connect it to adjoining rooms. Even if your entrance is not self-contained, instead with exterior doors that open straight into the house, visual tricks make it possible to create the illusion of an entryway by defining the space as such. Changes in flooring, a well-placed rug, a screen or curtain, or even furniture such as a console table or coat rack, can be used to delineate the space and distinguish the entrance from the rest of the hallway. Decorating walls and furniture with photographs or artwork is a simple way of bringing your personality into the foyer and plants, lamps, candles, vases and ornaments can be displayed on windowsills, tables or shelves. As a final thoughtful touch, mirrors placed next to front doors are a practical choice for those last minute appearance checks, as long as it’s not directly opposite the doorway, which could back-light the user – decidedly not helpful!
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