Raised ranch entryways often present a distinct design challenge due to their compact landings and immediate stairwells. But do not worry! With thoughtful planning and a touch of creativity, you can easily transform this area into an inviting and appealing welcome point for your home.

1. Decorate with Wall Decor

The entryway looks more interesting and has more personality with wall art or mirrors.
The entryway looks more interesting and has more personality with wall art or mirrors.

Use artwork or a mirror to make your walls look better. In my house, a large mirror not only adds character but also reflects light, which makes the room feel bigger.

A few helpful options:

  • Large Ornamental Wall Mirror: Use a large mirror to reflect light and make your space feel more open.
  • Framed Wall Decor Collection: Add class with a framed art collection that goes well with the colors and style of your entryway.
  • Ornate Wall Lighting: Add charm and soft lighting to your entryway with ornamental wall sconces.

2. Set up a Wall Shelf

A wall shelf is a stylish and useful place to put small items.
A wall shelf is a stylish and useful place to put small items.

A floating shelf is a great place to put keys and other small decorative items. I put one up by my front door, and it’s the best place to put a small vase of flowers.

A few relevant products:

  • Rustic Timber Wall Shelf: Add a rustic touch to your entryway. Perfect for showing off keys and other small decorative items.
  • Wall-Mounted Hooks: Keep your keys in order and easy to get to with this stylish wall-mounted hook rack.
  • Ornamental Small Vase: Add a pop of color to your entryway with a decorative small vase for fresh flowers.

3. Use Natural Light

The entryway feels bright and open because sheer curtains let in the most natural light.
The entryway feels bright and open because sheer curtains let in the most natural light.

Use sheer curtains or blinds to get the most natural light possible. After I took down the heavy drapes in my house, the entryway felt brighter and more open.

Possibly helpful picks:

  • Sheer White Window Curtains: Use sheer curtains that let natural light into your space to brighten your entryway.
  • Natural Wood Blinds: Use stylish wood blinds that let light in and give you privacy without blocking out the sun to improve light flow.
  • Translucent Roller Blinds: With translucent roller shades, you can get the most natural light possible while adding a modern touch.

4. Create a Two-Tone Style

The entryway looks more interesting and has more depth thanks to the two-tone wall style.
The entryway looks more interesting and has more depth thanks to the two-tone wall style.

For a two-tone effect, paint the bottom half of the walls a different color. This technique worked well when I used navy and white because it made the room feel deeper and more interesting.

Might be a good match:

  • Navy Interior Wall Paint: Use rich navy paint to make your entryway look better and add depth for a striking two-tone effect.
  • White Interior Wall Paint: Use bright white paint to make your space look brighter and to create a fresh two-tone style.
  • Painter’s Masking Tape: With high-quality painter’s tape, you can be sure that your two-tone wall design will have crisp, clean lines between colors.

5. Create a Photo Wall

The staircase entryway feels more personal and artistic with a gallery wall.
The staircase entryway feels more personal and artistic with a gallery wall.

A gallery wall can turn a plain staircase wall into a beautiful work of art. I put together a collection of family pictures and artwork, which made the space feel like it was just for us.

Useful items to consider:

  • Picture Frame Set: Make your staircase look better by using stylish frames to create a cohesive look for your gallery wall.
  • Wall Mounting Kit: Use an easy-to-use wall mounting kit to keep your frames safe for a long-lasting display.
  • Art Print Collection: Add some beautiful art prints to make your gallery wall more interesting and classy.

6. Add a Useful Bench

A useful bench with storage is great for sitting and getting organized.
A useful bench with storage is great for sitting and getting organized.

A bench with storage is great for sitting and putting away shoes or bags. I put one by the door in a recent project, and now it’s where guests like to sit and take off their shoes.

Possibly handy products:

  • Timber Storage Bench with Shelves: Make the most of your entryway by using a wooden storage bench that offers seating and space for organizing shoes.
  • Entryway Bench with Hangers: Improve your entrance with a bench featuring coat hooks and storage for convenience and style.
  • Country Style Hall Storage: Make your entry feel cozy with a rustic hall tree that provides plenty of storage and seating.

7. Use Warm Wood Details

Warm wood details like flooring and staircases make the entryway feel more cozy.
Warm wood details like flooring and staircases make the entryway feel more cozy.

Add a bit of warmth by using warm wood on the floor or staircase. I used old wood for the steps in one project, and it made the entryway feel warm and inviting.

May just do the trick:

  • Reclaimed Lumber Stair Runners: Improve your staircase with reclaimed wood treads for a warm and inviting entryway transformation.
  • Warm Wood Tile Flooring: Update your entry with warm wood flooring that adds elegance and coziness to any space.
  • Timber Entryway Console: Add style and utility with a timber entryway table, which is great for both decorative and practical uses.

8. Create an Open Staircase

The entryway staircase looks bigger because of the open railings.
The entryway staircase looks bigger because of the open railings.

Open railings can make the staircase look bigger and less cramped. After I switched out a solid railing for an open one, the way things looked changed a lot.

You might give these a try:

  • Glass Railing Kits: Install glass railings to make your staircase look more open and add modern elegance.
  • Timber Stair Runners: For a warm, modern look, update your staircase with sleek wooden treads.
  • Stainless Steel Handrails: Set up stainless steel handrails to have a modern, clean look that is also strong.

9. Put Down a Stylish Rug

The entryway looks better and feels more comfortable with an area rug.
The entryway looks better and feels more comfortable with an area rug.

Pick an area rug to define the entry space and add some color or a pattern. I once picked a geometric rug for a client’s entry, and it instantly made the area brighter.

Explore these options:

  • Colorful Geometric Floor Rug: Add color and personality to your entryway with a vibrant geometric rug.
  • Modern Designed Entryway Rug: Add a touch of modern style with a patterned rug that is great for welcoming guests warmly.
  • Durable Indoor Entrance Rug: Choose a durable rug that withstands high traffic while brightening your entryway decor.

10. Make Storage Solutions Better

Hooks and cubbies are great storage options for an entryway that is free of clutter.
Hooks and cubbies are great storage options for an entryway that is free of clutter.

To make the entryway useful and neat, put up hooks or cubbies. I always use wall hooks to keep coats and bags off the floor, which makes the space look great.

Maybe worth checking out:

  • Wall Mount Hooks Collection: Use these wall hooks to keep coats and bags in order, which will help you keep the entryway clean all the time.
  • Entryway Cubbies: Add cubbies to your entryway to keep shoes and other important items neatly out of sight.
  • Woven Baskets for Shelf: Use storage baskets on shelves to keep smaller items in order and reduce clutter in your entryway.

11. Amplify the Space

Removing walls to open up the entryway can result in a more spacious, welcoming zone.
Removing walls to open up the entryway can result in a more spacious, welcoming zone.

Think about getting rid of any non-load-bearing walls around the entryway to make it feel more open and airy. When I got rid of a coat closet wall once, it made the area’s flow and spaciousness much better.

A few suggestions:

  • Wall Buster Tools: Quickly remove non-structural walls to enhance how open your entryway is and make the space flow better.
  • Visible Shelving Systems: Set up open shelving to keep storage space without making the entryway feel cluttered, which will add elegance and usefulness.
  • Indoor Greenery Pots: Easily add stylish indoor planters to make the entryway feel new and welcoming.

12. Set up a Stylish Door

A beautiful door with glass panels lets light in and makes the entryway look better.
A beautiful door with glass panels lets light in and makes the entryway look better.

Make your entryway better with a door that has glass panels or a pretty design. I decided to put a glass-paneled door in my own house, and it looked very elegant and let a lot of natural light in.

Some ideas to consider:

  • Glass Panel Timber Door: Improve your entryway with a timber door featuring stunning glass panels that invite natural light.
  • Ornamental Door Lever Collection: Improve your door with a stylish handle collection to add a bit of class and charm.
  • External Wall Mounted Lamp: Brighten your entryway with an ornamental wall lantern to improve both aesthetics and security.