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20 Beautiful Homes That Know How To Make An Entrance

By Chelsea Dolan On

Curb appeal is typically the first impression of your home, but the entryway comes at a close second!

Whether it’s a grand foyer or a small apartment entryway, these designers achieved a wow-factor at the front door using bold colors, sculptural lighting and loads of pattern. Scroll down for 20 homes that know how to make an entrance!

Archways

Simple yet striking, an archway can elevate any entryway. It’s a timeless design choice that evokes European style, and works well with minimalist touches like wall hooks and wicker baskets.

  • Photographer Tina Kulic
  • Designer Shift Interiors

Color Punch

With a vibrant front door, graphic wall art and colorful floor tile, this Quebecois abode immediately captures attention. Designer Luke Havekes decided to mix various decorating elements for an eclectic look.

  • Photographer Maxime Desbiens
  • Designer Luke Havekes

House & Home July/August 2022

Brick Floors

Designer Halina Catherine likes the idea of informal formality, which is evident in the Ontario farmhouse she designed. The foyer strikes the right balance of rugged and modern with sturdy herringbone brick floors and sleek wall panelling painted a moody soot hue.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Halina Catherine

House & Home June 2022

Full-height Doors

In this ultramodern vacation home, full-height windows and doors allow you to see right through to the stunning water backdrop on the other side.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Interior Design: McCarthy Hinder Interior Design, Architecture: Howard Airey of The Airey Group

House & Home May 2014

Dark & Contemporary

An industrial-style entry filled with charcoal tones is a refreshing choice for this Toronto home. It’s designed with Caesarstone slabs, a bulbous light fixture and a floating bench for a clean look.

  • Photographer Virginia Macdonald
  • Designer Connie Braemer

House & Home September 2022

Historic Charm

Beadboard panelling and floral wallpaper preserve the historic charm of this Nova Scotia home. A rustic bench, seagrass carpet and woven baskets lend a summery aesthetic.

  • Photographer Janet Kimber
  • Designer Colin Blanchard & Kenneth McRobbie

House & Home July/August 2022

Limestone Walls

At this ranch-style home, a limestone exterior continues inside to the foyer. The white walls and a delicate light fixture achieve a contemporary yet historic feel.

  • Photographer Julie Soefer
  • Designer Killy Scheer of Scheer & Co.

Sculptural Lighting

Full height windows flood this entryway with natural light, but the real showstopper is the bubbly sculptural light that takes centre stage.

  • Photographer Adam Murphy
  • Designer Jill Croka Designs

Whimsical Wallpaper

What better way to give a room dimension than by using stripes? Designed by Colette van den Thillart, this print conjures a joyful, circus-tent effect in an elegant Rosedale home’s entrance, which also stuns with a custom floor mosaic.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Colette Van Den Thillart

House & Home May 2022

Wood Panelling

There’s nothing cozier than a cottage entrance with floor-to-ceiling wood panelling. A vintage rug and saffron velvet chair makes this lakehouse feel extra homey.

  • Photographer Stacey Brandford
  • Designer Lynda Reeves with Gillian Atkins and Candace Thompson

House & Home January/February 2022

Artful Focal Point

As soon as you step into this foyer, you’re met with an elegant welcome. A modern light fixture that resembles an art piece hangs above a sleek table, while a jigsaw-edged rug warms up the space.

  • Photographer Nicole Frazen
  • Designer Monica Fried

House & Home June 2022

Sleek Architecture

This neutral entryway allows the architecture to make a statement with minimal decorating. The owners of this Whistler, B.C. retreat opted for a poured concrete staircase and warm oak risers.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Denise Ashmore

Black and White

There’s nothing more classic than a black and white tiled floor, as seen in this modern foyer that features a zigzag floor design, warmed by merlot-colored walls, antiques and a gilded mirror.

  • Photographer Patrick Biller
  • Designer Lisa Tharp Design

Wall Mural

Rather than painting your entrway a solid color, you may consider going for something a little more artistic. Designer Olivia Botrie chose a mural with similar colors to the adjacent closets and doors, which help blend everything together.

  • Photographer Angus Fergusson
  • Designer Olivia Botrie, Dart Studio

House & Home September 2021

Flagstone-inspired Flooring

Unique flooring makes an appearance in this Toronto home designed by Jamie Zimmerman. Upon entering, a mosaic of ordinary ceramic tile with heavier grout (and a lineup of leaves in vases) creates an indoor-outdoor effect.

  • Photographer Lauren Miller
  • Designer Jaime Zimmerman

House & Home January/February 2022

Fresh Blooms

One of the easiest ways to make an impression in the entryway is with a sculptural vase and fresh blooms. For added dimension, display vases in varying heights and mix and match your florals.

  • Photographer Joel Klassen, Klassen Photography
  • Designer Aly Velji & Alison Connor, Aly Velji Designs

Take A Seat

Instead of a typical bench, elevate your entryway with a mini sofa. This apartment used it as an opportunity to bring in a subtle a pop of color into the elegant space.

  • Photographer Max Kim-Bee
  • Designer Lisa Tharp Design

Modern Railing

This entryway keeps decorating to a minimum, allowing the art-like railing to capture your attention with its curved balusters. The designers chose this style to provide separation to the upstairs, without blocking natural light.

  • Photographer Ema Peter
  • Designer Falken Reynolds

Rattan Chandler

A rattan chandelier stylishly breaks up this entryway’s black and white color palette. Designed by Ali Budd, the stairs were originally red before being given a modern facelift.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Ali Budd

House & Home January/February 2022

Patterned Floor Tile

Whether your entryway is big or small, you can make a statement with a patterned floor tile. Consider choosing a tile that’s different from the rest of your home to give your entryway a distinct presence.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Kyla Bidgood and Mary McNeill-Knowles, Bidgood + Co.

House & Home March 2017