6 Entryway Musts from Decorating Expert Emily Henderson

By Anne Vorrasi

Dec 04, 2015 @ 4:00 pm

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Want your home to make a good impression? Emily Henderson does too. As an interior stylist, decorating show TV host, and newly-minted cookbook author, Henderson knows a thing or two about making a home photo shoot-ready. Fortunately, she dishes all of her pro secrets in her vibrant new book, Styled ($20; amazon.com).

It kicks off with a style quiz that helps to decipher your decorating style, from bohemian to modern glam. Then she walks you through each room of the home, giving advice on how to edit your belongings and then of course, use them to style your space. Each zone is given the same amount of attention and no surface or furniture is left unturned.

Here, her six decor essentials for a small, yet often neglected, part of the home: the entryway.

1. Cheap and cheerful blooms
This is a given—it’s something we all know will make us perk up, but a luxury we tend to pass over.

2. A plush rug
Give your rug the touch test before you bring it home. The one for your entryway should feel lavish—almost like a welcome-home hug for your toes.

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Wool rug, Solo Rugs, $338; solorugs.com

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Hotel bordered rug, Pottery Barn, from $119; potterybarn.com

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Moroccan rug, Lulu & Georgia, from $770; luluandgeorgia.com

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Striped rug, Dash & Albert, from $74; dashandalbert.annieslke.com

3. A Console
Go for storage or just surface, but either way, this piece will serve as your own personal butler (and keep you organized on the way out).

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$899 SHOP IT Opens a new window

Gold console, Wisteria, $899; wisteria.com

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Acrylic console, CB2, $379; cb2.com

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Mason console, Crate & Barrel, $849; crateandbarrel.com

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Lacquer console, Layla Grayce, $1,719; laylagrayce.com

4. A bench or two side chairs
Taking your shoes off at the door will help make that fresh mopping last a little longer. But guests might overlook your cue if not for a comfy seat near a tidy pile of shoes.

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Tufted linen bench, Terrain, $898; shopterrain.com

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Oak cutter bench, Horne, $825; shophorne.com

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Luxe fur stool, Anthropologie, $348; anthropologie.com

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Bloom stool, Industry West, $99; industrywest.com

5. Artwork
Express yourself and create a big first impression. Go for the quick win: something bright and happy. Your mother will be impressed.

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Pink fade painting, Malissa Ryder, $85; leifshop.com

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Acrylic and thread on canvas, Holly Miller, $2,500; artsy.net

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Penthouse Pool Photograph, Slim Aarons, $995; jonathanadler.com

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Dawn photograph, Gray Malin, from $199; graymalin.com

6. Chandelier
A chic chandelier is an investment you’ll be happy you made. While the installer’s at it, have him add a dimmer switch so you can create just the right energy to suit your mood.