How to Create an Entry Way…when you don’t have one!

Heeee-lloooooo! Hey, so I’ve been in an apartment for over 2 months now…

Talk about living in a small space! It’s been so fun to be out here this summer and I think it’s rebooted my creativity. The other day I decided to play around with some things I’ve found around here to show you how to create an entry way…when you don’t have one!

Our apartment does not have an entry way. You walk right into a wall of doors that hide the washer and dryer. It’s all open concept and the dining area and living room are one space. But, if you have a wall you can make an entry way drop zone and so I did!

Did you guys love The Nate Berkus Show as much as I did? Man, I miss that show. I love when Nate would say, “Shop your house first.” Well, because that’s what I do ALL THE TIME. Sometimes just freshening up and playing around with things you already have can breathe new life into a space. Plus, it’s FREE…my favorite four letter word.

Here’s what I did to show you how to create a entry way drop zone on a budget with things I already have on hand.

THE FOUNDATION:

This inexpensive Ikea desk is small enough to double as a console table. The Ikea LINNMON/ADILS Table is under $20 and a great size for a small space. Just like at home, I love to add storage below a console table. I used my storage cubes there. In a small space you need a place to keep extra shoes and bags…especially if you are low on closet space. The $10 green desk chair (I scored when we first got here) is great to place next to the table for a place to drop your purse or sit and slip on your shoes.

WALL & FLOOR:

Artwork is my number one go-to for dressing walls. If you wanted to swap this out for a mirror you could totally do that too. I also like to lean artwork instead of hanging it all the time and it makes for a nice layer. One large and one smaller piece of art work well together for leaning them against a wall. Rugs always, always, always, help anchor and define a space. So, a runner or a scatter rug is perfect here.

TABLE TOP:

It’s always great to have somewhere to drop your mail and keys when you get home so if you can fit in a table or shelf you should do it.

Last weekend, we went to some flea markets and antique stores around here and I scored a gold and black set of china for super cheap. Just a small plate serves as a place to set your keys and shades.

Books are my go-to for adding height a lot of times. If the spines don’t work with your overall look– just flip them around and have the pages show.

I think every space should possess a life element. Having plants and flowers around your home just make for a happy space. You don’t have to spend money on this. I just clipped a couple leaves from our patio palm. That vase is actually a utensil holder. I just added a drinking glass to it and it makes for a pretty holder for stems.

Roses are my favorite and I am lucky to have a grocery store by me that sells $6 bundles of roses every day. I love arranging them in different ways.

Another find from my weekend is that brass planter with greek key feet. It was $7 buried in the basement sale room of an antique store. Totally worth the hunt.

So, any wall can become a place to land and create a welcoming spot in your home. Get creative with the space you live in and design it to suit your life. My “entry way” also doubles as a workspace when I need it, so it’s multi-functional too. I love reinventing my rooms time and again. Shopping your house can be so fun!

DIY’s featured here:

See how I made the DIY Mondrian Art.

See how I made the No Sew Fabric Covered Storage Cubes.