Ellen Pompeo uses wicker furniture, cozy textures, and Spanish revival accessories to create a mini living room in her entryway

The entryway, famously the first room of the home (and therefore, arguably, the hardest to decorate), is inevitably a transient place. With this in mind, it's never conventionally a room designed to encourage lounging and socializing in the same way as a living room, for example. In Ellen Pompeo's Loz Feliz home, however, things are done a little differently.

The Grey's Anatomy actress enlisted esteemed designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard to design a Mediterranean-style villa with distinct design influences (such as arches and pillars) and a neutral color base palette that runs throughout the property. This includes her cream-hued entryway, which is staged to look unlike any other we've seen before. In the space, Bullard arranged two wicker chairs, a coffee table, a console, and a striped rug to create (what feels like) a mini living room – welcoming guests to sit as soon as they enter the home.

Naturally, Pompeo has a living room that's also fit for purpose, but this bite-size version makes her entryway feel notably less like a space that should be rushed through and more like a room that's designed to be enjoyed.

Not all entryways are sizeable enough to lend themselves to a mini living room in the way that Pompeo demonstrates. However, as designers explain, we can still take inspiration from her layout. In many cases, it's possible to introduce furnishings and accessories that might otherwise be used in more conventional living spaces, but we need to pre-plan to ensure the entryway still flows.

'When styling an entryway, we always start by measuring the space to ensure any furniture fits in without obstructing the walkway. There should be enough space to allow easy passage, ideally at least 3 feet of clearance,' comments Claire Garner, Director, Claire Garner Interiors.

'To keep the entryway looking open, it’s important to balance the size and placement of the furniture by arranging larger pieces like sofas or cabinets against the wall, but if possible, avoid putting all of the furniture on one side. This will help to balance the space and create an attractive symmetry. If the entryway is wide enough, consider floating smaller chairs or accent tables away from the walls to create the illusion of a more open, intentional design.'

As Pompeo demonstrates (and Garner emphasizes), it can also work to play with scale and proportion to create an 'interesting dynamic' that feels like a well-curated living space. 'For example, balance the large furniture pieces such as a sofa with a slim console table and smaller decorative items such as delicate wall art,' she says.

Plus, as with a living space, using the right textures is important to the overall warmth and acoustics of our entryway. We love these Pompeo-inspired pieces, versatile enough to work in the first room of the home and beyond.

'To create a lived-in cozy feel, use layers of soft furnishings such as a long runner or a series of small rugs along the length of the hallway, and soft pillows and throws for seating areas,' Garner adds.

'Use a mix of fabrics – linen, velvet, or wool – for a luxurious, lived-in vibe, but don’t overdo it; keep it casual and functional.'