The Perfect Welcome: 5 Tips to Entryway Mastery
Nothing beats the perfect welcome.
Whether to greet us to a strange new destination or a return home, first impressions are the bedrock of what we feel. Everything that comes after a first impression relates to what we first felt.
That’s why, especially in spring and summer, having an entryway that offers the perfect welcome to you and your guests is important. When you come home from the office, don’t you want a home that greets you with joy and beauty?
Mastering the art of the entryway is a skill that pays dividends for all who wander into your home—so let’s go master it.
Mastery #1: Sweep!
Let’s start with the easiest and most avoided essential—taking out a broom and with a couple flicks, sweep the place clean.
If you enter your home trailing cobwebs, bird droppings, and dog business on your back right heel—no amount of entryway mastery will make you enjoy your home. This goes for decluttering as well.
Your space should be very open and unobstructed. This makes your mind register the entryway as inviting.
Mastery #2: Flank w/ “Guard Dogs”
Photo courtesy of Adrien Robert
No, don’t worry, I’m not asking you go out and buy a pack of powerhouse Rottweilers.
Instead, in Feng Shui, we think of accessories to support the entryway as “guard dogs” who add a sense of strength and physicality to the home.
For your entryway, have large potted planters. When you walk between them on your way through the door you’ll feel security and welcoming almost like being greeted by your favorite dogs.
Mastery #3: Good Light is Inviting
Take a look at the light fixtures you have for your exterior and interior entryways. Are they bright? Do you need to increase the bulb’s wattage? Find a proper luminosity for your comfort and that will be easy to locate for guests.
Additionally, placing outdoor luminary and lanterns will augment the atmosphere generated by good lighting. It’s the great, simple math of home design -> bright=inviting.
Mastery #4: Find Your Color
Color changes our mood.
Think about what type of energy you want to spark for yourself when choosing door color, flowers, pots, and more.
Most of these are very intuitive, but understanding the principles can guide you to your optimal color—and true entryway mastery.
Mastery #5: Welcome Mats are Welcome
Lastly, be classy and friendly. Include a welcome mat. It doesn’t have to be cheesy. It doesn’t have to be ‘LIVE, LAUGH LOVE’, but a welcome mat serves the purpose of enhancing the welcome people feel.
It’s also very helpful for scraping off your shoes to help with your new daily sweeping routine.
This simple gesture to yourself, guests, and your home will make your house even more of a hit. After all, what’s a welcome without a welcome mat?
