We Asked 6 Designers What Every Small Entry Needs, and They Basically All Said This
Working with a small entryway in your home? It turns out that this space just isn’t fully functional without — wait for it! — a mirror. The designers I surveyed picked this furnishing over entry tables, baskets, and even hooks.
It all comes down to looking your best as you head out the door. Even if you’re short on space, having a place to “check your lipstick on the way out the door,” as designer Kara Cox puts it, is essential. Designer Ashley Macuga, the founder of Collected Interiors, agrees, noting an entryway mirror should also allow those stepping out to “do one last check to ensure they feel chic and confident, too.”
The best thing about placing a mirror in a small entryway, though, is that it can provide more than just this obvious function. As designer Vyanca Soto, the founder of Market Studio Interiors, notes, a mirror will “amplify natural light and create the illusion of a larger space.” These two things are always a positive when you’re working with limited square footage.
When it comes to selecting a design for your small entryway, don’t be afraid to go bold. So many different styles, shapes, and colors are available, so you can really zero in on your desired look. “We love opting for a sculptural or oversized design to elevate the aesthetic while maintaining practicality,” Soto says. Designer Linda Hayslett, the founder of LH.Designs, makes the same recommendation, albeit in slightly different words. “A small entryway needs a statement moment,” says Hayslett. “It’s like the first chapter of your home’s story. Make it one worth reading!”
A second small entryway essential designers cited? “Some surface that’s both functional and pretty,” says designer Shannon Eddings, the founder of Shannon Eddings Interiors. Sydney Levy, senior interior designer at Anthony Wilder Design/Build, agrees. “A console table is the best way to make the most of your space in a small entryway,” she says. “You can find one in any size that works for the space and any style to fit your aesthetic.”
There’s just one thing better for a tiny entry than a mirror and a console table combination — a mirror with a built-in shelf or hook rail. This kind of a twofer will really let you work your wall space, freeing up the flow of traffic in and out of your home while still providing a little bit of storage for keys, a pet leash, a tote bag, or jacket — you name it.