Entryway updates don’t require renovation—focus on functional organization (hooks, trays, storage) and small decorative touches (mirrors, lighting, fresh greenery) that make coming and going smoother while creating a welcoming first impression.
5 Easy Entryway Updates for the New Year
1. Wall Hooks That Actually Hold Your Life
Liberty Hardware Decorative Wall Hooks (Set of 4)
Stop draping coats over chairs and dumping bags on the floor. Proper wall hooks give everything a designated home and keep your entryway from looking like a clothing explosion. These oil-rubbed bronze hooks are sturdy enough for heavy winter coats, spaced to prevent jackets from overlapping, and attractive enough to look intentional rather than purely functional.
Installation tip: Mount at two heights if you have kids—adult height (5 feet) and child height (3-4 feet) so everyone can reach their own hook. Use three hooks minimum per person to accommodate a coat, bag, and scarf/hat.
Why it matters: When everyone has a designated hook, coats stop migrating to the back of dining chairs or piling on the sofa. Your entryway stays clear and your main living space stops serving as overflow coat storage.
The visual impact: Hooks create vertical storage that keeps floors clear and makes small entryways feel more spacious. Even a narrow hallway can accommodate wall hooks where furniture wouldn’t fit.
2. A Catchall Tray for Keys and Daily Essentials
The frantic “where are my keys?” scramble ends when you have a designated landing spot. This elegant brass tray sits on your console table or entry shelf and becomes the home for keys, sunglasses, wallet, and phone. The raised edges keep items contained, and the metallic finish adds a touch of polish to functional organization.
What to corral: Keys (obviously), sunglasses, mail that needs action, charging cables for phones, hand sanitizer, lip balm—all the small items you grab on your way out the door.
Styling tip: Keep it functional but beautiful. A small tray prevents clutter from spreading across the entire console while looking like an intentional decorative element.
Why it matters: When small essentials have a designated home, you stop losing them and wasting time searching every morning. The tray creates boundaries—items stay contained instead of migrating across surfaces.
3. A Mirror That Opens Up the Space
Kate and Laurel Arch Mirror (24×36)
Mirrors make small entryways feel larger and brighter by reflecting light. This arched mirror adds architectural interest while serving the practical purpose of last-minute outfit checks before you leave. The gold frame brings warmth, and the classic arch shape feels timeless rather than trendy.
Placement matters: Hang opposite a window if possible to maximize natural light reflection. Position it at eye level (center at about 5’6″) so it’s functional for most adults.
Double benefit: Beyond making the space feel larger, an entryway mirror lets you check your appearance before leaving—lipstick on teeth, hair situation, coat sitting right. Small things that prevent embarrassment later.
The fresh start factor: A new mirror is one of the easiest ways to make an entryway feel completely different. It’s architectural without requiring actual construction.
4. Woven Storage Basket for Seasonal Rotation
Gloves, scarves, hats, dog leashes, reusable shopping bags—your entryway accumulates seasonal accessories that need homes. This natural rope basket is attractive enough to keep visible while corralling clutter. The neutral color works with any decor, and the sturdy construction holds up to daily use.
Smart organization: Keep current-season items in the basket (winter gloves and hats now, sunscreen and sunglasses in summer). Store off-season items elsewhere so the basket doesn’t become an overcrowded mess.
Style advantage: Woven natural materials add warmth and texture to hard surfaces like tile or wood floors. The basket looks intentional and decorative, not like you’re trying to hide a mess.
Size matters: Choose a basket large enough to be useful but not so big it overwhelms your space. This 15-inch diameter basket is the sweet spot for most entryways.
5. A Statement Throw for Visual Warmth
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Throw Blanket
Drape a soft, luxurious throw over your entryway bench or console chair to add visual warmth and practical coziness. This isn’t just decorative—it’s functional for those “waiting for someone to finish getting ready” moments or wrapping up when you’re cold before heading out.
Color choice: Choose a neutral that complements your existing palette. The heathered stone reads as soft gray-beige and works with virtually everything while adding texture and visual interest.
Styling tip: Fold it lengthwise and drape it over the back of a bench, or fold it in thirds and lay it across a chair seat. The casual drape looks more inviting than perfectly folded rigidity.
Why a throw in the entryway? It softens hard surfaces (benches, chairs, consoles), adds a layer of coziness to a typically utilitarian space, and provides warmth while you’re putting on shoes or waiting by the door.
Why These Five Updates Transform Your Entryway
Each update addresses a specific pain point: hooks solve the coat pile problem, the tray ends the lost keys scramble, the mirror makes the space feel larger while being functional, the basket contains seasonal accessories, and the throw adds visual warmth to a space that’s often cold and utilitarian. Together, they create an entryway that’s organized, welcoming, and actually functional instead of just a pass-through space where chaos accumulates.
Mini Formula: The Weekend Entryway Refresh
Saturday Morning (1 hour):
Install wall hooks (use a level and stud finder for proper mounting). Hang mirror at eye level opposite window if possible.
Saturday Afternoon (30 minutes):
Add catchall tray to console with keys and essentials. Place woven basket on floor or shelf with current-season accessories.
Sunday Morning (15 minutes):
Style with throw draped over bench or chair. Add one small decorative element (vase with greenery, candle, small sculpture) to console.
The Result:
A completely refreshed entryway that functions better and looks intentional, all accomplished in one weekend with minimal investment.
Mini FAQ
What if I don’t have wall space for hooks?
Consider an over-the-door hook system or a freestanding coat rack. YATINEY Hall Tree or similar standing organizers provide hooks, shelf space, and sometimes shoe storage without requiring wall mounting. They work especially well in rentals where you can’t make holes.
My entryway is literally just a door opening into the living room. Can these updates still work?
Absolutely. Use a narrow console table against the nearest wall (even 10 inches deep works), add hooks above it, and place your tray and basket on the console surface. The mirror can hang above the console. Create a “zone” with a small rug to define the entryway space visually even when there’s no architectural separation.
How do I keep the entryway organized long-term?
The key is having enough storage for what you actually use daily. If you have four people and three hooks, someone’s coat is ending up on the floor. Make sure every family member has their own hook and designated basket space. Do a 5-minute Sunday reset where everyone returns their items to proper spots.
What if my entryway gets no natural light for the mirror to reflect?
Add a table lamp or wall sconce to your console. The mirror will reflect that light instead, still making the space feel brighter. Consider a lamp with a warm-toned bulb (2700K) to create a welcoming glow when you come home in dark winter evenings.
✨ Beth’s Take: Why Your Entryway Deserves Attention
For years, I treated my entryway like a dumping ground—somewhere to rush through on my way in and out, not an actual room deserving thought or care. Coats piled on the bench, keys scattered across the console, bags dropped wherever there was floor space. It was the first thing I saw when I came home and the last thing I saw when I left, and it always looked chaotic.
Last January, I spent one Saturday morning installing proper hooks, adding a beautiful brass tray for keys, and hanging a mirror that opened up the whole space. The transformation was immediate and lasted—these weren’t temporary fixes that looked good for a week then failed. A year later, those hooks still hold our coats, that tray still corrals keys and sunglasses, and the mirror still makes the narrow hallway feel twice as wide.
The biggest surprise was how much calmer I felt coming and going. When I walk in the door and see an organized, welcoming space instead of chaos, it sets a different tone for being home. When I leave in the morning and can grab my keys from their designated spot instead of searching three rooms, my day starts less frazzled.
These five updates aren’t expensive or complicated, but they completely changed how my entryway functions and feels. The space went from “tolerate the mess” to “actually pleasant” with minimal investment.
More Home Refresh Inspiration
If you’re refreshing other areas of your home for the New Year, check out New Year, New Home: 7 Décor Upgrades Under $100 for a Fresh Start—these small switches deliver big impact without major investment or renovation.
Want to add warmth throughout your home?
My posts on 5 Cozy Throws That Double as Décor and The Sunset-Inspired Home Finds That Warm Up Any Room Instantly feature beautiful accent pieces that create welcoming, cozy spaces beyond just the entryway.
Closing Thoughts
Easy Entryway Refresh
These five easy updates prove that a welcoming, organized entryway doesn’t require renovation or huge budgets. Hooks, a tray, a mirror, storage, and one soft accent piece transform the space from chaotic pass-through to functional, beautiful room that sets the tone for your entire home.
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