How to Make Your Homes Small Entryway Greet You with Open Arms

A small entryway gets an upgrade in function and style with a large DIY modern shoe cabinet and coastal bohemian decor.

I can’t believe our September Entryway Refresh Challenge is coming to an end.

But I’m so excited to share with you my modern bohemian entryway reveal and what I’ve accomplished, in my small entryway, over the past month.

In the first post of the entryway refresh series Larisa and I discussed the decorating mistakes that we had each made in our home’s entryways.

Next, I explained how I planned on infusing modern bohemian style into my homes entranceway while working to improve some of my past entryway design mistakes.

And Larisa told us how she planned on using peacock-inspired style to help her entryway get and stay organized. Check out Larisa’s refreshed and organized entryway.

Are you wondering if I was able to bring my design plans to life in my entryway in just one month?

Table of Contents

• Small Entryway Shoe Storage
  • Tips for Choosing the Best Shoe Storage Cabinet
• Small Entryway Clutter Control
• Floor Covering
• Lighten up a Dark Entryway
  • DIY Rattan Table Lamp
• Modern Bohemian Entryway Decor
  • DIY Cyanotype Sun Print Wall Decor

Small Entryway Shoe Storage

Before this entryway refresh my biggest decorating mistake in this space had been poor shoe storage.

Before

I had a shoe storage bench that nobody ever used because it was too small and too difficult to access.

Our shoes were piled in the middle of our entryway floor.

So, I decided I needed a supersized shoe storage cabinet to keep my entryway organized and safe from falls!

After

I decided on using a two door cabinet to store our shoes in our entryway and I’m so glad I did!

I built a shoe storage cabinet from closet shelving, and I have not tripped over a shoe since!

Tips for Choosing the Best Shoe Storage Cabinet

My favorite parts about my new shoe storage cabinet, besides its modern style, and things that I would recommend if you are looking for something similar:

• Doors that open wide so you can see everything that is in the cabinet at a glance.
• Don’t be afraid to get a large cabinet. It feels good to have plenty of storage in my entryway now. I may even add baskets for holding hats and mittens this winter.
• Make sure the cabinet is deep enough to fit shoes front to back. It looks neater and easier to spot shoes you are looking for.
• Buy a cabinet with adjustable shelves or make some yourself.

Small Entryway Clutter Control

Another design mistake that I had made in my entryway was that I needed more ways to conceal ugly clutter.

Before

This was probably the easiest thing I did in this entrance!

So easy!

I found this accordion coat rack at Goodwill for two dollars!

After

I wasn’t even looking for one.

And I hung it up on the wall behind the door…vertically.

So now we can hang our coats on the top and our bags on the bottom.

And it makes great use of the wasted space behind the door.

Floor Covering

The rug that I had in my entryway before was old and worn out.

Before

I got a new machine washable, geometric pattern, pink and gray rug and I love it…and so does Kitty Kitty!

After

Things I love about this washable rug:

• It’s really soft. I feels like velvet.
• It’s one piece and has a built in no slip quality.
• I love the pattern and colors.

I haven’t washed it yet, but I’ve had it for about two weeks and am very happy with it. And I do plan on throwing it right into my washer when I need to clean it.

Lighten up a Dark Entryway

Before I refreshed my entryway it felt a little dark at times.

I think this was for a couple reasons. Small mirrors on the wrong wall and too much stuff on the wall that faced the door as you walk in.

I took everything off the wall and added a mirror and light-colored furniture.

DIY Rattan Table Lamp

I also added a lamp to the space.

Originally, I was going to get a modern brass lamp to put on top of the shoe storage cabinet.

But once I had the mirror and shoe cabinet in place it started to feel like I needed to add some bohemian accents to tone down the modern.

So, I searched the web for bohemian table lamps and fell in love with rattan lamps.

But I didn’t want to spend $100 or more to buy one, so I made my own lamp from a basket.

It feels much brighter in here now. And I love to turn my lamp on in my entryway on these dark fall nights…so cozy!

Modern Bohemian Entryway Decor

I hadn’t planned on using coastal inspired decor in this entryway.

But, in September my husband and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary!

And we took a road trip to Lubec, Maine.

It was so nice. I loved it. I love the ocean.

DIY Cyanotype Sun Print Wall Decor

While we were on our trip in Way DownEast Maine I made cyanotype prints while we were on a secluded beach one day with rocks, salt water, and seaweed.

Before

My sun prints are a little more abstract than many that I’ve seen.

They’re not for everyone.

But I like them because they remind me of my husband, the ocean, and the fun time we had on our trip.

I love to surround myself with things that I pick up or make while exploring different places.

I also picked up a watercolor of the lighthouse in Lubec and framed it to use as coastal decor on my cabinet.

On a whim I bought a candle in a pink ceramic container that I also put on the cabinet. I absolutely love the container and it comes in a whole bunch of colors if you’re not into pink.

I will definitely be reusing the container to hide one of my DIY candles in tins after I’m done burning the candle that is already in it.

The last thing I added to my entryway was add a macrame wall plant hanger and plants.

Do you recognize it?

I stole it from my bathroom!

I may knot a new smaller version for this space. The plants seem a little big for this entryway wall.

But, I needed some green!

I’m really happy with how my entryway refresh turned out!

I hope we can keep it neat and organized now that I have improved the functionality.

Have you made any changes lately that are helping your home or life run more smoothly?

I’d love to hear about them.

I’m always looking for ways to streamline my home and life so I can have more time to do fun things.

If you are interested in any of the products I used in this entryway refresh you can find them in the links below.

• Paint color: Benjamin Moore
• Large Cyanotype Prints (Inspiration)
• White Cabinet with Chevron Wood Doors (Inspiration)
• Wooden Accordion Coat Rack
• Light Grey Geometric Washable Area Rug
• Arched Metal Wall Mirror
• Pink Ceramic Candle
• Banana Leaf Basket Table Lamp (Inspiration)

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