From Clutter to Charm: Renovating My Home Entrance Way

Our entrance way was, let's be honest, a bit of a disaster. A dumping ground for shoes, bags, and everything in between. It lacked personality and, most importantly, functionality. I knew it had the potential to be a welcoming and beautiful space, but renovating my home entrance way was a necessity. So, I embarked on a DIY project, aiming for a balance between style and practicality, all on a budget.

The Vision: Function Meets Fabulous When Renovating My Home Entrance Way

The key to any successful makeover is planning. I spent a good amount of time analyzing the space, considering its limitations and potential. I decided the focal point would be a built-in bench seat with storage, paired with an upcycled old wardrobe from our garage. My goal was to maximize storage while creating a visually appealing entrance. Renovating my home entrance way meant focusing on practical storage solutions.

Using Canva, I experimented with different layouts and colour palettes. I wanted something warm and inviting, yet with a touch of sophistication. After much deliberation, I settled on a dusky mushroom pink, Resene Rickshaw, for the walls, ceiling, and built-ins.

The Build: Family Teamwork

With my design finalized, it was time to bring in the muscle – my family! We started by building the bench seat frame from leftover wood. Then, we brought in the old wardrobe and secured it to the top of the bench seat at one end. Renovating my home entrance way required teamwork and DIY skills.

The bench seat lid proved to be the most challenging part. We needed a solution that would allow for easy opening and closing, without posing a risk to little fingers. We opted for gas struts, which worked perfectly.

To achieve a seamless look, we added trim and spacers to ensure the seat and wardrobe sat flush. We also installed panelling on the back wall, which added texture and helped to visually correct the slightly uneven ceiling line.

The Transformation: Paint, Hardware, and Upholstery

After priming the wardrobe and bench seat, I applied several coats of Resene Rickshaw. The color was exactly what I had envisioned – moody, yet warm and inviting. Renovating my home entrance way was coming together with the perfect paint colour.

To elevate the look, I replaced the old wardrobe handles with stunning gold handles from Lo&Co. For the bench seat cushion, I commissioned GreenStitch upholstery to create a custom squab using a geometric fabric I found on sale at Martha's Fabrics.

The Finishing Touches: Décor and Details

No makeover is complete without the finishing touches. I found a round wooden side table on Trademe and sanded it down for a rustic touch. A striped outdoor mat helped to disguise the less-than-ideal tiles. Renovating my home entrance way was about adding those personal touches.

A large mirror from Bed Bath and Beyond added depth and light to the space. I also installed round knobs on the panelled section for hanging hats and bags.

For a personal touch, I framed postcards from the Louvre in Paris and hung them on the wall. A potted plant added a touch of greenery and life.

The Result: A Functional and Beautiful Entrance After Renovating My Home Entrance Way

The transformation is remarkable. The space now functions beautifully. The wardrobe stores school bags, yoga mats, and sports equipment, while the bench seat provides ample shoe storage and a comfortable place to sit.

We've achieved the perfect balance between beauty and functionality. The entrance way is now a welcoming and stylish space that we are proud to call our own. This project proves that with a little creativity, planning, and teamwork, you can transform any space into something truly special, even on a budget! Renovating my home entrance way was a complete success.

Here’s a short video showing the full view of my new home entrance way.