With a “no-entryway” entryway, the area at the front door means there is ample room to decide what needs to go by the door and how to organize your “landing pad.” However, what do you do when you have a narrow entryway? Where do you drop your keys, flip off your shoes, and set the mail? Adding everything right by the door in a narrow entryway can get cramped quick. Relax; the Kelly Bros. team has some interior design tips that can make your narrow entryway functional and charming.

No need to be claustrophobic
Unlike an open entryway, where a foyer is essentially nonexistent, a narrow hall or anteroom acts as a dedicated foyer in many Northern Kentucky homes, especially in the historic areas of Newport and Covington — long, tapered homes were the norm of the era, instead of the wide, expansive ones people love today. Even if you live in the historic areas of Northern Kentucky, and your home does have a dedicated entryway, it’s never a good home design practice to clutter the front door area of a home. Take these home and interior design tips into consideration for a narrow (or essentially any) entryway.

• It’s all about color. For a narrow entryway — or any small room in your home can utilize this interior design concept, for that matter — paint the walls colors that will give the allusion the space is brighter and wider. Though the typical go-to color for making rooms seem larger is white, there are other colors at your disposal. Warm, neutral colors, such as beige and tan; lighter grays (you can even try ‘greige’); and off-whites and creams instantly make a narrow entryway look wider.

• Look for a small-yet-usable seating option. Though the entryway of your Northern Kentucky home may be confined, it doesn’t matter who you are — when you come home, you need a spot to put your stuff. Add a basket to your bench to hold the “leaving the house essentials:” car keys, sunglasses, gloves, mail, etc.  A bench also fits in a narrow entryway as a spot to sit to put shoes on or take them off. Plus, did we mention this home design option means you can store shoes, boxes, and other necessities underneath?


This family used an old church pew as a bench in their home's entryway. (Photo courtesy of Houzz)

• However, if you feel somewhere to sit may take up too much space in your Northern Kentucky home’s entryway, look for another space-saving solution: A small table or small dresser. Both give you a surface to set things down on, but also a spot to store or set your “leaving the house essentials.” A small umbrella stand can also do wonders for a narrow entryway.

• What’s the one main thing everyone wants in their home design, no matter how large their home or entryway is? Storage. But as we know, a narrow entryway may not provide the best options for storage. However, you don’t necessarily need to buy something entirely new for storage. If stairs are included in your home’s design in the entryway and they don’t have anything underneath, drawers give you hidden (no clutter!) storage and you can separate the essentials. No stairs? Look for built-ins. Shelves, draws, surfaces, etc. All give you a sleek interior design to your Northern Kentucky home, while simultaneously giving you a designated landing pad.


Entryway built-ins that you can create add much-needed storage. (Photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy)

• This interior design trick works in a small room of any home — not just a narrow entryway. Add a mirror. Mirrors create depth and reflect light, allowing the entryway to be amplified — even if it is a lengthy hallway. A mirror is also great for one last appearance check before heading out the door.