Smart Ideas for Styling a Small Entryway (and How Ours Got a Reset on a Budget)
Your entryway is the first thing you see when you walk in the door—and in a small space, it has to work hard and look good. When ours started to feel tired and a little dingy, I decided it was time for a refresh.
I didn’t want to spend a fortune, but I knew a few key changes would make a big impact. And spoiler alert: this little project ended up being the perfect example of Day 2 in my 7-Day Home Reset—which is all about creating a more welcoming entry, one step at a time.
What We Changed (and What We Kept Simple)
We started by clearing the space completely (hello, Day 1 of the reset: Clear the Visual Clutter). From there, I hired my nephew to demo and retile the floor—it was sinking in one spot due to rot, so it had to go. I picked up the new 12x24" black tile that looks like slate from Home Depot. It’s durable, simple, and perfect for high-traffic areas.
My son helped grout the floor using premixed grout from Lowe’s, which saved time and mess. We went with dark grout so the cleaning would be easy. We also decided to update the wall color. It had been a creamy tan for four years, and it was time for a little pop. We used peel-and-stick wallpaper on the bench wall and pulled a navy tone from the paper—SW Smokey Blue. It's moody but cozy, and it grounded the space beautifully.
How We Styled It
*Grab the PDF for the mood board here with clickable links for everything. (Click on the picture, it’ll take you to the item on Amazon)
We didn’t go overboard—just the essentials:
A bench from Wayfair makes taking off shoes easy, they don’t sell the same one but I added one that is similar.
A hook rack from Target corrals jackets and bags
A cabinet from our old house (Pottery Barn) adds hidden storage
A tray for keys keeps things from piling up
A couple of family photos and a mirror from my grandparents’ home add that personal warmth I always want in a space
And the little surprise that makes me smile? My concrete fairy pot that holds our mints, perfect for a little treat on your way in or out! I change out the mints for a cute plant every now and then.
This space is small, but every element serves a purpose—and together, they make it feel calm, clean, and finished.
Budget Breakdown
This entire project came in under $1,000, including the tile, wallpaper, new trim and paint. You could absolutely spend less by skipping any reconstruction or new materials—honestly, a deep clean and simple styling can go a long way.
Want to Refresh Your Own Entry?
If your entryway is cluttered, chaotic, or just not working, you don’t need a full renovation. You just need a plan.
The 7-Day Home Reset gives you exactly that—quick wins, small changes, and fresh energy in your home. Day 2 is dedicated to this exact kind of space: the entry, the drop zone, the spot where life piles up.
It’s just $19, and it’s full of doable, step-by-step guidance.
👉 Grab the 7-Day Home Reset here
Want the Mood Board?
I've put together a free printable mini mood board with links to items we used (or super similar options) and a Canva template so you can make your own! (You can use Canva for free and edit the template to create your own board).
Let’s make your home feel more like you—one small space at a time.
xo,
Susan