Entrances / Halls

Entrances are the connection between the outer world and the inner world of our home. Behind every front door lurks an area that poses a special decorating challenge.

Depending on the architecture of the building, an entrance may be inherently gracious or, at the worst, devoid of any positive qualities at all. The ideal entry would have the luxury of space, enough to allow more than two people stretching room. And it would have ample light, overhead as well as on the wall, and a mirror for reasons of vanity (a quick look upon arriving or leaving). There would be a closet just for guests, an attractive table to hold flowers, keys, and mail, and space to display artwork. The handsome, practical floor would be tiled, carpeted, or left bare and polished.

The entrance influences our feelings and thoughts every time we either enter our home or go out into the world. Hallways also create a transitional space and should be as free of distracting objects as you can make them, in order to make the transition from the exterior to the interior world as smooth as possible.

Tips for entrances and halls:

• Mark out your territory and make your entrance clearly distinguishable from the rest of the doorways on your street, with light, hanging baskets, trees an a clearly presented name and number.
• Set the mood for how you and your visitors experience the house, using mirrors and positive artworks with lots of perspective.
• Keep halls and corridors clear of clutter and obstructions; they will have a negative impact on you every time you come home. Keep up-to-date with your mail: neaty store away anything dealt with. Store things tidily will give a better first impression, it will also allow a better flow of energy.
• If halls and corridors are very long, break up a view from the front to back of your home with a wind chime; small, rounded plant containers on the floor; or paint motif on the wall to distract the eye. a stencil of a vine or ivy has movement and will have the same effect.
• A rich flower arrangement gives a positive welcome and reflects the host's hospitality.
• Make a space in the hall to leave outside shoes, as this keeps the energy of the outside world away from the interior world of your sanctuary.