How To Give Your Entryway A Moody Makeover

Gone are the days of the standard light-colored, cookie-cutter entryway. More and more, we're seeing design enthusiasts transforming this space into a dramatic introduction of their personal style from the get-go. Plain whites are ditched in favor of deep hues, accent lights are preferred over harsh overhead lighting, and ornate accents take center stage. It almost feels like stepping into a cozy but tasteful cocoon.

If you, too, are dramatic at heart and want to decorate your foyer in moody style, our in-house design historian, Sarah Bilotta, shared all the nitty-gritty in an exclusive interview. But before anything — forget the notion that everything has to be dark and saturated for this aesthetic to work. "You don't want your entryway to become the dark, ghostly corner in your otherwise vibrant and bright home," Bilotta told us. "Be sure to keep a balance between light and dark so that your guests don't feel consumed by the space."

At the same time, don't forget to keep the area functional, because what's worse than a pretty entryway with nowhere to put your on-the-go essentials? "Be sure to include all the 'necessary' nooks and storage spaces that an entryway should have — especially if it's your primary entrance," the design expert said. "This includes a place to store shoes and coats, keys and wallets, glasses, and winter accessories."

According to Sarah Bilotta, a good place to start is figuring out what color you'd like to swathe your walls in. "The entryway can be fair game for a bold color you would not use elsewhere in your home," Bilotta shared during her exclusive interview with House Digest. Which brings us to jewel tones, her favorite paint shades for creating a moody vibe. "A rich ruby red is especially impactful, while a deep teal is more classic and easier to meld with the rest of your decor if your entryway and living area are connected," she revealed.

Or maybe the rest of your home already exudes a mysterious feel. In this case, feel free to go bolder with a darker tone like charcoal, black, or forest green. You can even add texture to your walls with the ragging painting method for a more nuanced effect.

"Don't be afraid, either, to pair a rich paint color with some wallpaper in a classic floral pattern reminiscent of a Victorian parlor — like the classic 'Strawberry Thief' pattern by William Morris," the design historian said. "A busy pattern like this works alongside rich reds and saturated blues, but also can stand on its own." You don't have to stop there if you have extra room for decorative trim or molding in the budget. Not only do these add extra depth, but they also dial up the drama when painted in the same hue as the walls.

Now for the fun part: making the entryway your own. "The moody look relies on old-world flourishes that can't be bought at Ikea," Sarah Bilotta exclusively told House Digest. "Instead, look for real wood pieces with elegant turned legs, brass accent decor, and dramatic metal sconces." In other words, you'll want to head to your local antique store or flea market and do some scouring.

Bilotta also suggested to keep your focus on "general silhouettes" that you like since you might not always find the perfect vintage console table, mirror, or bench. Then, you can bring the furniture back to life with a fresh coat of paint or new upholstery once at home. "Likewise, don't be afraid to strip, sand, and re-stain a piece of wood furniture to give it a natural tone that will pair perfectly with your moody accents," the design expert added.

And finally, make sure the lighting is on par with the rest of the moody ambiance. The existing light (both natural and powered) in the entryway can help you decide where to place additional ones. "A desk lamp on a console table works great in a space that is already well-lit, leaving a starkly illuminated corner where you can place your keys and gloves," Bilotta pointed out. On the other hand, a more enclosed entrance may benefit from dimmable wall sconces to set just the right atmospheric mood.