Entryway trends to avoid – 5 features that could create the wrong first impression

An entryway can make a powerful impression. This space is the first opportunity you have to showcase your interior design style to all who pass through your home – and every color, texture, and furniture choice is important. 

Entryway ideas are what you see first when you return home, too, and a great design for the space can lift your mood every time.

But when it comes to bringing the latest interior design trends to your entryway, designers urge caution. While they may work effortlessly in other areas of the home, they can spoil the impression the entryway makes. These are the ones to swerve.

5 entryway ideas to avoid – according to designers

These are the decorating ideas the experts recommend steering away from in the entryway this season. 

1. Shag rugs

These deeply textured, long fibered rugs may be soft to touch, but they are less attractive to the eyes in an entryway. 'A shag rug in the entryway could be one of the biggest mistakes you'd ever make,' says Nishtha Sadana, creative director at NISH Online Interior Design. 

Despite the sense of warmth one of these will create, and which seems appropriate for an entryway, Nishtha warns that the shag rug is a breeding ground for germs and harbors dirt. It is, therefore, best avoided in a place where there are muddy shoes and wet umbrellas. 

If you're looking at decorating with rugs in your entryway, Nishtha recommends investing in a low-pile rug that is 'easy to clean and maintain' so it will look cleaner and fresher for longer.

2. A minimalist aesthetic  

'One trend I would avoid is the lack of seating and a flat space to land for guests,' says Kelly Hayes, the principal designer at Carriage House Studio. While it may seem better to keep your entryway pared-back and spacious, Kelly urges you not to compromise on entryway furniture ideas. 

'As a guest entering your home, there is nothing worse than struggling to balance and remove shoes,' the designer says. 'I advocate for all foyers and entryways to have a place to sit and a small table with room to set things down.' So, while it may be tempting to prioritize a minimalist aesthetic, this furniture is something that always has a place in the entryway. 

3. Mirrors facing the door 

Mirrors are a time-honored way to make a small space feel bigger, and therefore a favorite in small hallways. However, Swati Goorha, the principal interior designer at Swati Goorha Designs, explains that you need to use your mirror strategically or it could appear awkward and out of place. 

'I tell my clients to refrain from using mirrors that face the entry door,' Swati says. 'What exactly are you reflecting in the mirror?' There’s another reason to rethink. The designer warns that placing your mirror opposite your door is bad entryway Feng Shui, so it could be affecting your entryway in ways beyond its aesthetic. 

If you're looking for more effective hallway mirror ideas, Swati recommends placing them 'opposite a window or opposite a beautiful piece of art' so you can spread light and color throughout the space. 

4. Eclectic lighting 

It's easy to enjoy putting together an eclectic lighting selection – whether you're considering choosing a contemporary table lamp plus an antique chandelier, or a vintage pendant light plus neon wall art. However, Aaron Lebowski, an interior designer at Juliei Salone, suggests keeping different lighting styles to a minimum. 

'The trick is to stay with a limited palette of color and choose styles that are close to each other in look,’ he says. 'This will help make your entryway look both inviting and orderly. You want it to invoke a sense of calm, especially after a long day.' For example, if your home has LED ceiling lighting, it can be a good idea to zone your entryway with some LED table lamps that emit a similar glow. 

5. Antique furniture 

'No matter how fancy the furniture is, if it's not serving the purpose of functionality and clever storage, it's simply of no use,' Nishtha says. Instead of filling your space with statement antiques and arresting focal points, the designer suggests keeping the furniture practical and showcasing your decor in a space where it has room to thrive. 

'It's ideal to choose furniture that offers ample storage – say, a comfortable bench, with a unique look,' she adds. 

The bottom line with hallway ideas in 2022? ‘Think practically,’ says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief of Homes & Gardens. ‘There are plenty of trends you can bring to an entryway, but those that don’t suit this busy part of the home should be saved for elsewhere.’