When we found our house, we loved that it was a blank slate. But decorating and interior design take a lot of research, time, and money! We’ve been in our house 1.5 years, and are just starting to think about some updates to the walls.
Here’s the entryway – it’s nice that’s open and flows right into the dining area and kitchen, but it’s also a waste of space. We have a nice big closet, so don’t really need to build any storage, so I’m not really sure what else to put here. It’s my least favorite view in our house, probably because we keep the stroller inside at night and there’s usually shoes or recycling piled up by the door:) But I think the real problem is that it’s just too much white space.
Here’s the view from the door when you walk in. I’ve always wanted more woodwork, so I’ve been thinking about crown moulding and maybe some wainscoting along the big dining room wall. And then maybe some wallpaper above the wainscoting? I was talking to one friend who said that bright white walls in darker spaces don’t work because the shadows make the space feel dingy. I think that could be part of the problem, but I’m too afraid to commit to a color for the entire first floor!
It sure is fun to dream about! I would love to hear your thoughts. And if you’ve done something similar in your own home, how did you feel confident that you were making the right decisions?
Marissa
July 21, 2020 at 8:35 pmNo real advice from me other than if that is your forever home (it’s beautiful, by the way), take it from me & just hire a designer! I’ve made so many decorating/design boo boos in the 2 homes that we’ve owned now, especially with paint colors. Next house will be our forever house & I think it’ll be totally worth it to hire a designer to ensure we get something we love.
Laura
July 27, 2020 at 2:48 pmThanks! I’m so scared to do paint without professional advice!
Mitra S
July 22, 2020 at 8:26 amI have a wide entryway too. Still not sure how to decorate it after 1 year in our home, lol. Waste of space has definitely crossed my mind!
Laura
July 27, 2020 at 2:47 pmRight! I kind of want to put a wall there and make it a room
Taylor
July 22, 2020 at 1:21 pmWe’ve done wainscoting and it’s COMPLETELY transformed the space. Makes the biggest difference with making an area look like a cute and cozy home. I’d highly recommend it! I can email you a pic.
Laura
July 27, 2020 at 2:47 pmOh nice! Glad to hear that!
MB
July 22, 2020 at 2:17 pmI’d start by getting a bigger, less neutral rug for your dining room. A rug with a brighter/bolder design might be helpful for the entryway. Something from ruggable since that’s where people come in and out, maybe? What about a beaded chandelier for above the door? Something like this – https://www.worldmarket.com/product/whitewash-wood-draped-bead-4-light-chandelier.do?sortby=ourPicksAscend&from=fn
My other thought was (if you’re planning to be there for a long time) is putting cubbies on the left wall – sort of like a mudroom. I think it could be styled nicely without it looking too casual.
Laura
July 27, 2020 at 2:47 pmI’ve def. thought about a drop zone kind of thing. I just worry it will always be covered with stuff if I do that!
Jill D
July 22, 2020 at 5:19 pmDitto on the designer…it is money well spent and they are cheaper than the price of tile that looked beautiful in the showroom but is reminiscent of a 1970s nightclub (in all the wrong ways)in your master suite bathroom. Or the couch that looks great for about a 2 minutes until your child decides to wipe her Oreo encrusted face on it… Find some designers in your area and review their websites or follow them on Instagram and you will know immediately whose work is akin to your style. We hired one on our most recent house and everyone comments on our kitchen (we gutted it and she designed it from the studs out) and decor in general. Our home looks like us …and it is not stagey but it is put together and comfortable.
Sharon
July 25, 2020 at 6:36 amThe young house love blog looks full of ideas.
Laura
July 27, 2020 at 2:46 pmThanks! I wish we had done it in the beginning!
Holly
July 23, 2020 at 12:24 pmMy opinion is to get a smaller cabinet piece and 2 upholstered and comfy chairs! It’s always nice to have a seating option for putting on shoes and I think it helps make it more homey feeling.
Colleen
July 23, 2020 at 7:19 pmI was thinking the same about the big chairs! I’ve also heard Modsy can give some good inspiration.
Laura
July 27, 2020 at 2:45 pmThanks – def. need to check out Modsy.
Laura
July 27, 2020 at 2:45 pmThanks! I’ve thought about that, but we already have the bench across from it for putting on shoes, so no sure I can justify the expense??
Sarah
July 25, 2020 at 5:01 pmDitto on hiring a designer! More affordable than you would think with their wholesale discount on furniture and it always always looks more polished. And you can hire someone to do room by room.
It’s never going to be cheap but a good investment as you don’t buy something and than regret and replace a year later
Laura
July 27, 2020 at 2:44 pmThanks! I think it would def. make sense if we were doing the whole house, but we actually don’t have any furniture to buy, so I’m torn.
Erin
July 29, 2020 at 5:30 pmI saw where Gina used Havenly to design a few rooms. We were considering using them for our place. Here’s the link to her post: https://fitnessista.com/master-bedroom-update-and-reveal-using-havenly/
Laura
July 29, 2020 at 8:18 pmThanks!!!
Thoughts from a Thursday – Taking Back My Twenties
July 30, 2020 at 8:44 pm[…] for your thoughts on my home decor in my last post – so much to think about! My newest idea is that I’m going to paint the front […]
JLeigh
August 1, 2020 at 6:31 amCheck out Ballard Designs – they have a great selection of bigger pieces like secretaries that have cabinets, etc. that might look good next to the door where you have the skinny console and the gallery of pictures.
Have you considered putting molding around the windows? I think doing that starts to give a house more lived in charm. Our home has wood paneling that was painted white so it has a wainscoting effect. It comes like 1/2 up the wall with a molding ending it. When we bought our house it was all painted one color (weird….) but I want to make a project to paint it white for some contrast. I started by painting the paneling surround our fireplace and am happy with how it turned out! Crown molding is also a favorite of mine and we have it throughout our house. Again it adds a lot of charm!
Laura
August 5, 2020 at 4:02 pmThanks! We have considered window moulding, crown moulding, wainscoting, or adding something to the ceiling but just can’t decide (and can’t afford to do it all!)