They say that first impressions are lasting. The same can be said for any interior. When one goes inside a space, the first thing they see is how they perceive the rest of the entire area. And the room in question is the hallway entry.Â
Choosing the right materials to highlight your entryway is both fun and, at the same time, a challenge. Creating the space that serves as an introduction to the rest of the building means that the materials and style will be considered greatly. And one of these materials is the flooring for the entryway.Â
But what happens if the entryway isn’t big? What if it’s small? Is it still possible to have unique flooring for the entryway without compromising the overall size and look? This article will teach you to create spectacular entries with these small entryway flooring ideas.Â
How Significantly Important Is the Small Entryway Flooring?
Unlike the typical flooring design, the entryway flooring is an entity. Here are several reasons why small entryway flooring is very important.Â
The First Impression
As the saying goes, first impressions are lasting. When entering a space via the entryway, visitors are met with a specific style that establishes the rest of the space’s overall look. In this case, it is the flooring since it definitively sets the mood and purpose of the small entryway. It also has the distinction of showcasing the owner’s personality through the choice of materials, finishes and even accessories.
Establishes the Style and Mood
Speaking of establishing the space’s style, the entryway flooring will often be tied in with a specific style. For example, white marble flooring is indicative of a classical style while wooden flooring is associated with a rustic look. When visitors enter the space, they are given an idea of what to expect with the rest of the space.Â
A different PerspectiveÂ
An entryway can give off a very different perspective. That is to say that it can make the space look bigger or smaller thanks to the use of its materials and finishes, which is both interesting and engaging to the visitor. In the case of small entryways, having the right flooring and finish can either make your space look higher or make your space appear wider or longer; or even make the space appear more open than it normally is. Â
Transitions Spaces
Many homeowners don’t like the idea of entering directly into the living room, as it is often an intimate space. Having an established entryway helps transition the space from entry to the next room. And this is achieved by using a different flooring that easily compliments the flooring in the next room. At the same time, it creates a small area of sorts that receives visitors and provides them with the idea of the kind of hospitality they hope to experience.
Strength and Quality
And the most important factor of the entryway flooring is the fact that it can handle heavy foot traffic on a daily basis. This is thanks in part to the use of strong and durable flooring materials like ceramic and wood look tiles. This is important because homeowners would want their visitors and themselves to feel assured that they are entering a place built with quality materials that will last a very long time.Â
Below are some of the most creative entryway flooring ideas you can use in your space.Â
This entryway uses dark wood flooring that starkly contrasts the all-white and gray interior. Using dark wood establishes the welcome area and what one can expect to see when they enter the space. To compliment the strong wood, a soft area rug is used at the foot of the door to welcome guests. Â
This small entryway’s flooring boasts a unique blend of gray marble and ash wood interwoven to create a modern take on the classic intricate floor designs. This natural combination blends perfectly with the white walls and the black, arched doors. The weaving terminates with the same ash wood floor planks that lead to the rest of the space.Â
Amidst the traditional paneled wood flooring, a section of the flooring is designated as the entryway. This is seen in the paneled flooring arranged into a unique herringbone pattern, with the sides framed with the paneled flooring. This light ash wood flooring complements the bold, powder blue front door.
In this entryway, dark ebony wood planks are arranged in a modern chevron layout, creating a modern take on the classic parquetry flooring. This flooring helps define the contemporary cottage interior, easily offsetting it with the light, powder blue wall color. A bright sky-blue door unifies both flooring and wall color, evoking the air of a modern cottage.
The vision of walking along a rain-drenched pavement road is emulated using small, gray tiles. The tile’s ceramic qualities allow for the water to side through. Accompanying the tiles is a white wooden bench with extra storage for sheets and slippers and a unique, orange-patterned wallpaper wall.
A rug can add great depth and character to your entryway floors. For this seemingly classical entryway, a round handmade hemp rug is placed across a thin white shoe cabinet in the center of the space. The natural colors of the hemp complement perfectly with the light flooring while giving off a varied textured look and feel that is both modern and engaging.
This entryway flooring uses bold Spanish print tiles that perfectly frame the space. While it does emphasize the overall size, the entryway’s wall and vertical orientation make up for it. The flooring terminates on a wooden staircase that goes up and another that goes down. A light wooden bench is placed on one side, and a modern black shoe cabinet is across.
Instead of the usual entryway where only a console table and a mirror are placed, this entryway has a bench and peg hooks perfect for storing and holding clothes, tools, and anything that can be grabbed while on the go. The dark mahogany flooring perfectly highlights this ultimate handy entryway, and the subdued Persian rug adds just the right amount of class and subtlety.
While having bold geometric pattern tiles as your entryway’s flooring, adding some functionality is often a good idea. The flooring’s gray-green designs complement the gray-green door completely. A small bench next to the stairs easily offsets the gray-green finishes. A gold ornate mirror hangs above the wall, completing the look of a calm and functional entryway.
Nothing is more welcoming than an entryway with a ‘Welcome’ sign and space for hanging those coats and hats. This entryway has a contemporary farmhouse feel with rustic wood flooring arranged horizontally to widen the opening. A white paneled wall with hooks and a ‘Welcome’ sign can be seen on one side. This small entryway is further emphasized thanks to light taupe paint and rustic elements.Â
This classical entryway has a more modern look thanks to its white square tiles arranged obliquely. Light gray walls complement the white tiles and introduce a more modern concept; a Nordic taupe white and black carpet is placed in the center of the entryway, and next to it is an equally stylish and simple console table.
A mud room is a small area where people remove their wet and muddy things before entering the house. This entryway uses that same principle: small natural stone tiles to create a little anteroom for guests to remove their wet items. It then transitions to maple wood flooring that leads to the rest of the interior. A light gray wall combines the two floors to create the perfect functional entryway.Â
Entryways can have several interesting design features that are both eye-catching and functional. This entryway uses gray ash wood flooring and has a small functional pocket wall with a bench installed in the recessed wall. Two industrial lamps are installed on either side of the pocket wall for direct lighting
Just because the entryway is small doesn’t mean you can’t make it bold. Instead of the usual uniformed color tiles, The flooring uses tiles with colors ranging from slate blue to blue to orange and even gray-brown. The walls are painted blue, and the doors are given a bold wood finish, which balances out the tile flooring. A round rug with abaca rope is placed in the center, and a white bench is placed next to it. Â
This entryway exemplifies the famous ‘Less is More’ philosophy. Large format tiles are used in the flooring and are balanced out by the front door’s black frame and vertical windows. Natural elements like oak wood and hemp rope baskets are placed on one side against a white wall. The door and window’s wide framing allows for natural light and gives off a breezy feel.
White, matte square tiles are used in this simple entryway. And while the tiles may appear simple and ordinary, it highlights a rather unique and modern take on the classic console. Instead of the usual table, two white modular units placed on top of one another are mounted on the wall. The simple lines of the modern console coincide with the flooring. A round mirror serves as the counterbalance to this streamlined look.
Gray ash hardwood flooring in this contemporary entryway is accented with light gray wall color. The white, paneled door uses black, matte handles, creating a modern take on the classical door and knob combination. A narrow Persian rug in front of the main door breaks the severity of the neutral elements.
When you have an open and flowing entryway, having a continuous flooring design makes it even more spacious. Oak Chevron parquet flooring is used throughout the entrance and several parts of the space. A narrow oak cabinet is placed in the small area of the wall that defines the entryway itself.
An entryway that showcases a modern take on the farmhouse look not only makes it contemporary but also on trend. Ash gray cedar wood planks create a light flooring while a small black bench is placed against a small, white paneled wall where a wainscot border showcases small minimal artwork and a wooden peg hook to hang bags and hats.Â
A narrow entryway can do wonders, especially if it leads to a small anteroom. White oak floor panels are used to lengthen the entrance, which leads to a modern black console table with two square ottomans that are perfect for those quick touch-ups before heading out. A cedarwood chest of drawers is placed across the console table, serving as additional storage.
Small entryways can also showcase a seasoned traveler. Polished, ash-gray flooring creates the perfect contrast to the off-white walls. A muted Persian rug creates an accent area, and a small teakwood console table is placed against a paneled wall where small curios from around the world are displayed. Â
Entryways don’t have to be one note. This entryway uses not one but two kinds of flooring. Black and white entryway tiles are used for classic diagonal checkerboard flooring, which transitions to mahogany wood like tiles flooring. A white hallway cabinet is next to a black paneled wall where a small ash-gray corner bench unites both elements, creating an uncanny attractive entryway.
Another interesting idea is using light blue Moroccan tiles to create a contemporary entryway. The light shade not only brightens and widens the space but also evokes a calm and inviting ambiance. A black, flush paneled door is used to give more depth, and a hardwood bench with black steel iron legs is placed on the adjacent wall.Â
Patterned flooring doesn’t necessarily mean it’s old. There are many ways to modernize classical elements to create the perfect entryway. Black and white tiles create a classic checkerboard flooring for this small entryway. Complementing, it is a white paneled wall and a teak wood bench with woven baskets for catch-all and shoes.
Taupes and parchments are making waves in the design trends these days because of their polished and somewhat casual ambiance it gives off. This tile entryway flooring comprises polished cedarwood with subtle hints of parchment and taupe. A brown woven rug is placed before the door to compliment the polished casual feel.Â
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Use of the Same Type of Wood in Furniture and Flooring for a Cohesive Look
A current trend in interiors is using the same wood finish in at least 50% of the space. White-wash hardwood flooring is used and accented with a muted Persian carpet for this entryway. A modern steel and ash wood console is placed against a wall and accented with a subdued wood-framed mirror. This creates a subtle but otherwise uniform entrance that is both minimal and calming.
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An All Natural Hallway Carpet Makes for a Very Inviting Space
Bring in the look of a weekend stroll in the neighborhood. This small entryway’s flooring comprises stone pavement tiles that give the impression of an outdoor sidewalk. An all-natural rug made of abaca and hemp is placed in the middle and creates a unique entryway that welcomes guests and visitors from their long walks.Â
Neutrals can soften an otherwise heavy-looking space. This entryway’s polished mahogany flooring is accented with a Turkish carpet. These heavy elements are paired with white walls, a cream console table and mirror, and a white ottoman. This completely creates the perfect calming and inviting mood.
Varying shades of gray and patterns fill up this entryway. The flooring comprises tiles showcasing gray classical motifs and is complimented by a gray brick wall. An off-white bench with a rustic wood top and flush paneled doors is placed to welcome visitors and serves as an additional storage space for shoes.
This entryway gives off a modern spa-like ambiance with its stone pavement flooring, reminiscent of stone walkways in Thai spas. Walls with gray tiles also help lengthen the entrance hall, and light oak basket lighting fixtures and a console table tie the whole natural feel together.
This small entryway’s flooring design uses black square tiles mixed with white and black patterned tiles to create the perfect medley of black and white. It lengthens the entrance and provides an interesting and updated take on the classical checkerboard look. A long red Persian carpet offers a stark and complimenting contrast making the entryway cultured and exotic.
This entryway speaks volumes about a well-traveled homeowner. White and black tiles are used to create an uncanny checkerboard floor. The off-white walls and the unique birdcage lighting fixture further highlight it. A console table and basket displaying various Chinese jardinières and vases are placed on one side of the wall.
FAQs
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What’s the Ideal Flooring for a Small Entryway?
Depending entirely on the size of the entryway, you will want a type of flooring that can withstand heavy foot traffic and help give the illusion of a bigger space. The ideal materials are porcelain or ceramic tile since they can handle a multitude of people, and in terms of sizes, go for measures that are proportionate to your entryway. Â
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How Can I Make My Small Entryway Look Bigger?
It is advisable by the interior designer to use light-colored flooring in order to make a small entryway look bigger. This is partly due to light bouncing off the light materials while giving off a clean and polished look. If you are using dark flooring, all you need to do is opt for more lightweight walls. You can even make the small spaces look wider or bigger by changing the orientation of the flooring materials. If you are using planks, install them horizontally so that it appears wide and vertically so that it looks longer.Â
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How Much Should I Spend on the Entryway Floor?
It would really depend on your choice of flooring as well as your entryway’s requirements. It is a given fact that flooring material prices would vary based entirely on style and overall square foot coverage. For example, vinyl flooring tiles, which are considered the most affordable tiles in the market, would cost around $2-$7.00 per square foot while engineered hardwood would cost from $4-$12 per square foot. In terms of installation, it would cost around $4-$10 dollars per square foot.Â
