15 Smart Ways to Decorate Your Hallway or Entryway

Your family uses your front hallway or entryway every day. And yet, this space often goes unused. When you start decorating the empty walls, you could turn a bland entrance into a warm, inviting space that encourages friends to linger before they leave. You'll also have room for clocks, family photos, mirrors and other items that have been sitting in storage.Better yet, your hallways offer plenty of opportunities for extra storage. Grab a bench, shelves or a few baskets, and your family can keep their clothes, shoes, toys and school supplies organized instead of tossing them aside. With these tips, you'll have a functional entryway that enhances your home's appearance and boosts your property value.

Console tables are thin and narrow, allowing them to stand in your hallway without taking up too much floor space. Once you've set up your console table, you can decorate it with flowers, books, antiques and other goods. If you choose a table with shelves, you've got more space for magazines, remotes and gadgets.

When you're tired of everyone throwing their coats on the floor, installing wall hooks gives your family a place to hang up their coats and jackets. Wall hooks also tie your personal style together. Bronze and gold hooks enhance a home's rustic design while matte black or white hooks pair well with modern layouts.

Have you ever left the house and realized at the last minute that you forgot an important accessory? With a hallway mirror, you can check your appearance before you leave, eliminating your worries. Mirrors also give your wall space a focal point and celebrate your style with a modern, antique or minimalist frame.

Floating shelves attach directly to the wall with no visible supports, creating a clean, minimalist look that gives you plenty of extra room for your favorite decorations. To keep it simple, you could install floating shelves in an orderly row. If you want a more creative look, try installing shelves in a zigzag or staircase pattern.

Everyone in your household walks through the entryway when they leave for work or school. Can you believe how many people miss this opportunity to set up a communication hub? Hang up a chalkboard, bulletin board or dry erase board and then write important messages and pin notes for everyone else to read.

Umbrella stands are perfect for accentuating your decor, increasing your storage space and protecting your flooring. Instead of dripping water all over the house, you'll simply park your umbrella in the stand next to the doorway. You could even buy an antique umbrella stand to give your house a touch of old-world aesthetics.

A funny welcome mat keeps your floors clean while acting as a conversation piece. When you search online, you'll find hundreds of welcome mats with quirky or snarky phrases. If you can't find one that matches your sense of humor, order a custom welcome mat with your favorite saying or an inside joke.