Entryway wall decor ideas – 10 statement ways to decorate a blank wall

Finding the perfect entryway wall decor ideas for your home isn't always easy, but it should be. No matter your decorating style, we've got the tricks that can give life to your walls and bring out your true personality.

As well as looking inviting in its own right, an entryway or hallway should set the tone for the rest of your home – and should be considered alongside entryway ideas and front porch ideas to ensure a coordinated feel. 

Keep reading to discover the best entryway wall decor ideas that are sure to add character, interest and intrigue to your home.

Entryway wall decor ideas

From interior details to inventive suggestions for wall decor ideas, these design-led entryway wall decor ideas will inspire your scheme.

1. Choose contemporary art that fills one wall

'There are two really effective ways to make a statement with art in a small entryway, says Camillia Clarke creative director at Albion Nord. 'The first is to play with scale in interior design. Make the most of the wall space and choose a large scale artwork that spans the full height of the wall. It will feel bold and impactful.'

'If you have a narrow hallway, another interesting way to make a statement with art is to create an art wall. Play with a mixture of artworks in different sizes, colors and genres to create your own personal gallery space.'

2. Keep the color scheme cohesive

'Entryway ideas in apartments are so important but are often overlooked,' says Birdie Fortescue, founder and creative director at Birdie Fortescue. 'The entrance sets the tone for the rest of the house so the way it is styled and presented is key. Art is incredibly useful in this kind of setting as it can be used in a tactical way to either make a powerful statement, add personality or introduce entryway paint ideas and color. 

'If you have a generous entryway or an open staircase idea, then make the most of large scale works to create impact. Diptychs and triptychs can be very useful on large expanses of wall as can series' of prints or photographs. In this entryway, the paintings are by the same artist and the theme continues up the stairs to the landing which creates a strong visual link between the different areas and anchors the color palette of greens and earthy natural tones.'

3. Install a mirror wall in a dark entryway

Decorating with mirrors is a wonderful way to brighten any space, but as small entryways can often have limited natural light, they are calling out for reflective surfaces.

Mirrors are a wonderfully versatile design feature, adding instant glamor and interest, while maximizing light and boosting the sense of space in a dark passageway.

4. Source antique art and vintage frames 

'For a classic style entryway you can't beat old frames that either come with original paintings or, that can be used to hold your own photographs or artwork,' says Melanie Griffiths, editor, Period Living. 'They come in all sizes, some with more ornate detailing than others, but each a piece to savour and use as a decorative element.'

5. Keep it simple with a Shaker style peg rail

As the main entrance and exit to your home, the entryway is a high traffic area, particularly if you have children and pets, so good entryway storage ideas are a must. 

Entryway wall decor can be as simple as a peg rail that's used for a basket and straw hat. They're all decorative pieces in their own way and can break up a plain yet colored wall successfully.

6. Use shiplap on your wall as a decor feature 

Instead of having plain walls, give them an update with shiplap, it's really versatile, easy to apply and gives a textured look that can lift a tired scheme. 

‘When it comes to updating your home for spring, I find the hallway is often overlooked, which is a shame because it’s where we welcome family and friends. I love to keep this space bright and fresh, with plenty of color. An easy way to do this is to hang statement artwork on plain walls or add bold decorative pieces, such as our hand-glazed Hongwu Pots in vibrant shades of yellow. Try picking out key colors and adding lampshades in matching hues,' explains Sue Jones, co-founder and creative director at OKA.

7. Hang a statement wallpaper in an entryway

'As well as considering which colors suit the period of your property, and the materials and colors which might surround your front door ideas, it’s also important to consider the transition into your interior, linking the color choice of your entryway to that of your front door and your interior,' says Andy Greenall dead of design at Paint & Paper Library. 'Whether you choose a classic, deep shade or the contrast of a bolder, brighter color, an entryway should be considered a transitional space setting the tone for the rest of your interior.'

8. Use wallpaper for paneling

'Entryways are often the first space you, or your guests, encounter upon entering your home, so are a fantastic space to create design impact,' says Philippe Desart, managing director at Arte. 'These narrow highly functional spaces can be difficult to add design impact with furniture, so wall decor is a fantastic solution, allowing you to add color, pattern and texture without impacting on what is often precious floorspace. 

'This is an area you pass through rather than dwell, so here you can afford to be bold with the scale, color or texture of your wallcoverings. Bolder prints and patterns installed in panels are a great alternative to hanging artwork on the walls, adding visual interest and a striking design feature. There’s a global appetite for print and pattern at the moment and such a wide choice of color, scale and pattern available in wallcoverings, that it’s easy to incorporate any style onto your entryway walls.'

9. Opt for a sculptural mirror 

'I always advise using really interesting furniture in an entryway – a beautiful console table or a sculptural piece,' says Charu Gandhi, founder and director of Elicyon. 'It's unexpected and because it's not a space you're going to sit in for ages, you don't have to focus on functionality or, indeed, comfort, so you can get away with doing something that's quite frivolous. I love putting mirrors in entrance spaces because they can tend to feel quite dark. Similarly, do try and add a floor or table lamp, especially for when you're entertaining.'

10. Choose a statement clock for pure impact

‘The entryway is often the first thing guests see when entering your home, so try to create an interesting vignette with one or two key pieces to give a good first impression,' says Sue Jones, co-founder and creative director at OKA. 'It can be tricky to make an impact if you have a large space to decorate; if that’s the case, go for something that matches the size and grandeur of the room, like our colossal Grenvelle clock. It certainly makes its presence known.'

What should I put on my entryway wall?

Whether your entryway is traditional or modern, there is a wealth of creative ways to let you walls do the talking. 

Adding impact to your entryway walls needn’t be confined to the traditional methods of wallpaper ideas or paint ideas either. There are plenty of ways to enliven your entrance, whether you opt for an easy-to-change option, such as creative wall stickers, or invest in a bespoke solution, such as striking wall mural ideas or a delicate trope l’oeil.