The Accessory That Will Always Make Your Entryway Pop, According to a Real Estate Agent

It feels good to have people over again, doesn’t it? Dinners, game nights, and casual hangs are becoming a little more normal these days, and the magic of hosting has returned. For some, this means clearing away some of the clutter that’s built up over the past year and a half (looking at you, Amazon boxes), to make your space feel welcoming again. 

One of the spots you should definitely pay attention to if you’re planning on having people over to your humble abode is the entryway. While the entryway has served as a practical sanitation station recently, it’s the very first thing that visitors will see when they walk through the front door — so if you want to make a statement, you’ll want to consider how to spruce up this petite spot. 

A real estate agent with years of experience wowing first-time buyers at open houses has one main suggestion.

“The one thing I would place is a large, interesting-looking mirror on the entry wall to pick up additional light,” recommends Barbara Ireland, a Sotheby’s International Realty agent in Manhattan. 

Aside from reflecting light and making the space feel brighter upon walking in, people can get creative with the kind of statement mirrors that they have in their entryways. Large decorative mirrors may not always be super practical in powder rooms or bedrooms, but in the entryway, they can be right at home. Plus, it’s a great place to check your appearance before heading out the door for work or happy hour with friends. 

Some other easy ways to spruce up your entryway? Try a simple console table placed under said mirror, an interesting light fixture, artwork, or a bench. “Set the mood and display a plant, flowers, or piece of art — something that would bring peace, love and joy. It will be reflective in the wall mirror,” Ireland says. “Keep the entryway clean of old shoes, the week’s Costco delivery, and trash.”

Make sure that the mirror that you’re selecting is the right size for the space on the wall that it’s occupying. If you’re placing the mirror above a console table or other piece of furniture, Made.com suggests going for a mirror that’s about two-thirds the size of the furniture that’s beneath it. But if you haven’t selected your console table yet, the Washington Post says that bigger is better when it comes to mirrors. So opt for maximizing wall space if you’re unsure of which design direction you’re going in. 

If you have a great decorative mirror that you want to place on the wall, but it’s just a bit too small, you can easily create a gallery wall of mirrors for a more eclectic look. Places like Etsy and your local thrift store will often have unique pieces that will look great in a gallery wall — and the good thing about going with this method is that you can easily add pieces of artwork for an intentional and seamless design.