Dream entryway: 3 inviting and functional entrances

A small, budget-friendly entryway makeover: “I finally got the entryway I dreamed of 19 years ago during the toddler years”

Mari Kivimäki wanted the entryway as functional as possible. There’s a practical dirt-trapping mat by the door. “I don’t like the idea of dirt getting tracked far into the apartment,” Mari says.

When her children moved out, Mari Kivimäki renovated her dream entryway with a fresh coat of paint and some redecorating.

“When the amount of stuff was cut in half, I realized it was the perfect time to redecorate. It took me a while to figure out how to make the cramped entryway feel welcoming and serene,” Mari says.

You can read the full story of this entryway makeover here!

A dog shower in the entryway! “The mudroom became the best room in our home”

When the washing station was being built, Ella was certain they would only ever have small female dogs. Nevertheless, they made the space roomy. Thankfully so, because their current dogs are both large.

Ella Vaahterainen had a dedicated washing station built in the large entryway for the family’s dogs. It has also been a big help for the human members of the family in their everyday life.

“The idea of a dog washing station was conceived over ten years ago. We hadn’t seen one anywhere, but we liked the idea of not having to carry mud-covered dogs through the bathroom,” Ella says.

“The large entryway makes everyday life so much easier. We have plenty of space for both dogs and people here.”

You can read more about the dog shower entryway here.

Paula’s rule keeps the entryway in order: “We focused especially on shoe storage”

The entryway stays organized thanks to IKEA’s affordable shoe cabinets. Each holds two pairs of winter shoes and three or four pairs of summer shoes. When you limit storage space, there are fewer places for clutter to accumulate.

The mother of a blended family with nine children, Paula Nygård pared down the family’s belongings once some of the children moved out. She says having a limited amount of stuff and good storage solutions are key for a functional entryway.

“My rule is to only keep the items and clothes that are currently in use in the entryway. For instance, there’s no point in storing formal coats with everyday wear because they would unnecessarily take up space. I move winter clothes into under-bed boxes for the summer; they can hold a surprising amount of stuff.”

Read about Paula’s entryway makeover here!