Your entryway creates the first impression of your home, setting the tone for what lies beyond. Wallpaper can transform this space from forgettable to fabulous with just the right pattern, color, and texture.
Whether you have a grand foyer or a modest hallway, these wallpaper tips will help you make a statement that welcomes guests while reflecting your personal style.
1. Choose a pattern that reflects your personality
Walking into a home should feel like meeting its owner for the first time. Geometric patterns might speak to your organized nature, while whimsical designs reveal your playful side.
Consider what message you want to convey. Are you sophisticated and elegant, or casual and laid-back? The right pattern creates an authentic welcome that genuinely represents who you are.
2. Stick to light colors to make small entryways feel bigger
Cramped entryways instantly gain breathing room with pale hues on the walls. Soft blues, gentle greens, and airy neutrals push boundaries outward, creating an optical illusion of expanded space.
Light bounces more effectively off these colors too. For maximum impact, pair your light-colored wallpaper with a strategically placed mirror to double the spatial magic without moving a single wall.
3. Use vertical stripes to add height
Magically transform your entryway’s proportions with vertically striped wallpaper that draws the eye upward. Low ceilings suddenly appear loftier as visual attention travels along unbroken lines toward the ceiling.
Narrow stripes work wonderfully in contemporary homes. For traditional spaces, consider wider stripes with subtle texture variations that add sophistication while still creating that coveted height-enhancing effect everyone desires.
4. Try textured wallpaper for depth and interest
Running your fingers across a grasscloth or linen-textured wall creates an immediate sensory connection with your space. Beyond the visual appeal, textured wallpapers add dimension that flat paint simply cannot achieve.
Guests will unconsciously notice the subtle shadows and highlights as light plays across the uneven surface. This dimensional quality transforms even the simplest entryway into a sophisticated experience rather than just a passageway.
5. Go bold if your entry is well-lit
Abundant natural light creates the perfect canvas for dramatic wallpaper choices that might overwhelm darker spaces. Rich jewel tones or high-contrast patterns thrive in sun-drenched entryways without feeling oppressive.
Morning light transforms deep blues into energizing welcomes while evening sun warms burgundies into cozy greetings. When blessed with good lighting, seize the opportunity to make a memorable statement that would be impossible in poorly illuminated areas.
6. Use peel-and-stick for easy updates
Commitment-phobes rejoice! Modern peel-and-stick wallpapers offer incredible flexibility for seasonal changes or when you simply crave something fresh. Application requires minimal tools and even less expertise.
Renters particularly appreciate this damage-free option that transforms spaces without landlord concerns. When inspiration strikes again, simply peel away the old design and apply something new—no steamer, no scraper, no stress.
7. Match tones with your flooring or trim
Harmony begins with color coordination between your walls and existing elements. Pull a subtle shade from your hardwood flooring into your wallpaper pattern for a cohesive look that feels intentional rather than accidental.
Got distinctive trim work? Echo those tones in your wallcovering. Matching doesn’t mean identical—aim for complementary shades within the same color family to create visual flow that guides visitors naturally through your entrance.
8. Pick washable wallpaper for high-traffic areas
Muddy paws, little fingerprints, and umbrella splashes are inevitable realities in busy entryways. Vinyl-coated or specifically labeled washable wallpapers stand up to these daily assaults while maintaining their good looks.
Look for products with a scrub rating on the packaging. Higher numbers indicate greater durability against cleaning. Smart homeowners choose practicality alongside beauty for spaces that serve as the home’s main thoroughfare.
9. Use wallpaper to define a focal wall
Strategic application creates maximum impact with minimum investment. Rather than covering every surface, designate a single wall—perhaps behind a console table or opposite the door—for your statement wallpaper.
Visitors’ eyes naturally gravitate toward this intentional focal point. Surrounding walls in complementary solid colors allow your featured wall to shine without competition.
10. Avoid overly busy prints in tight spaces
Small entryways quickly become visually cluttered with too much pattern competing for attention. Intricate designs that look stunning in sample books often overwhelm compact areas, creating a chaotic rather than welcoming atmosphere.
Opt instead for medium-scale patterns with adequate negative space. Simplified designs with breathing room between motifs maintain interest without inducing dizziness. Remember that in confined quarters, a little pattern goes a very long way.
11. Coordinate with adjacent room styles
Jarring transitions between spaces create visual discomfort as you move through a home. Peek into rooms visible from your entryway and notice their color schemes and design aesthetics.
Your wallpaper selection should acknowledge these neighboring spaces without necessarily matching them exactly. Think of your entryway as a gracious introduction that hints at what follows, creating anticipation rather than surprise when guests venture further inside.
12. Use metallics for a touch of glam
Nothing says sophisticated quite like the subtle shimmer of metallic elements catching light throughout the day. Gold-flecked patterns add warmth while silver accents create contemporary coolness.
Moderation prevents crossing into gaudy territory. Look for designs where metallics serve as accents rather than the dominant feature. Even small entryways can handle this touch of luxury when it’s incorporated thoughtfully into patterns that otherwise respect the space’s proportions.
13. Try botanicals for a calming welcome
Nature-inspired patterns instantly reduce stress levels as guests transition from the outside world into your sanctuary. Leafy ferns, delicate branches, or stylized florals create biophilic connections that feel instinctively comforting.
Soft greens and blues particularly enhance this calming effect. For modern homes, look for abstracted botanical patterns rather than literal representations. The goal is suggesting nature’s presence without creating a forest-themed amusement park entrance.
14. Consider mural-style designs for drama
Make an unforgettable impression with a wall-sized scene that tells a story. Modern printing techniques have revolutionized mural wallpapers, offering everything from misty mountain landscapes to abstract artistic statements.
Unlike repeating patterns, murals create a singular dramatic moment. Particularly effective in entryways with high ceilings or prominent walls visible from multiple angles. When choosing a mural, consider the emotional response you want to evoke each time someone enters.
15. Balance large-scale patterns with minimal decor
Visual harmony depends on thoughtful restraint when bold wallpaper enters the equation. Oversized florals or dramatic geometrics demand space to breathe without competition from too many accessories.
Limit artwork to one significant piece rather than gallery clusters. Choose simple furniture with clean lines. Let your spectacular wallpaper be the star while supporting elements play backup roles.