The 10 Best Entryway Paint Colors To Make Your Space Seem Bigger

Entryways are the perfect place to showcase your eye for design, but if you have limited square footage, you'll have to get a bit creative. Thankfully, there are all kinds of savvy ways to make your entryway seem larger than it truly is and create the illusion of a bigger space using paint. While sneaky tricks like painting your ceilings and color-matching your walls and baseboards can make your entryway appear more spacious, no decision is more consequential than the color you choose to paint your walls. Certain colors create the visual impression of depth and distance, while others are great for reflecting natural light — both of these qualities are essential for visually enlarging your space and making it appear less cramped. For example, cool shades like pastel blue and dove gray make walls "recede" or appear further away, while the reflective properties of pale yellow maximize the room's brightness.

A few factors are important to keep in mind when choosing the color palette for your entryway. Remember that the color swatches in stores and online will look somewhat different on your walls due to the space's natural and artificial light sources. Before committing to a full paint job, Benjamin Moore recommends applying a small amount of your preferred color onto white poster board and then moving the board around the room throughout the day to see how the hue interacts with various lighting conditions and in different areas of the space. Before selecting your wall paint, it's wise to have an idea of the contrast or complementary shades you will use for trim, accents, and decor. Without further ado, let's dive into 10 of the best paint colors to open up your entryway. 

Pastel colors are generally a great choice for enhancing the sense of openness in any room. Light and breezy blues give the impression of a larger space as they are receding colors, meaning they make surfaces appear further away than they truly are. One excellent example of a pastel blue to consider for your entryway is Glass Slipper by Benjamin Moore. Or, for spaces with less light, Benjamin Moore's Smoke is a soft grey with blue and green undertones. 

Gray is a safe, neutral color that's popular for its versatility and timeless appeal, complementing a wide variety of accent shades and interior decor themes. Light-toned gray colors such as dove gray are perfect for entryways as they can give the space a more expansive feel. As a receding color, dove gray brings depth and spaciousness to any room. Light French Gray by Sherwin Williams is noted by the brand for its ability to make small spaces seem airier and more open. 

Many people use white to make a space feel bigger and brighter, but it's not the most practical, especially in a high-traffic area such as an entryway. White tends to show dirt, grime, and scuff marks more easily than other colors, which means more work on your part to maintain its pristine look. Get the visually-enhancing benefits of white without the upkeep by choosing an off-white shade. Opting for off-white also allows you to explore warm and cool undertones to curate the atmosphere. Swiss Coffee and Acadia White by Benjamin Moore will give your space a welcoming vibe. 

Create a warm and welcoming first impression with a pale yellow entryway. Particularly if your foyer has minimal natural light, the highly reflective properties of yellow will make the space appear brighter, according to Benjamin Moore color and design expert Sharon Grech. Give your entryway a subtle dose of sunshine by choosing a soft buttercream yellow, like Honeypot by Sherwin Williams. For a more contemporary take, Cream Silk by Benjamin Moore is a soft yellow with zesty drops of lime and lemon. 

An elegant neutral, taupe is a combination of gray, beige, and brown. Inspired by all kinds of natural elements like weathered wood, earthy fungi, and baked clay, taupe is incredibly soothing and timelessly chic. Taupe has more richness and depth than other neutrals like beige and gray but with all of the same benefits of making small spaces seem bigger. A great example of classic taupe is Ashley Gray by Benjamin Moore. Inukshuk by Benjamin Moore is a popular shade of light taupe that homeowners love.

If earth tones are your preference, sage green is an excellent choice. Being described as a muted green shade with grey undertones, sage green is equal parts calming, stylish, and functional. There are many types of sage green shades, ranging from dark and smoky to light and breezy. Choosing a sage green paint color on the lighter end of the spectrum, such as Soft Sage by Sherwin Williams, can enhance the feeling of spaciousness in your entryway. When paired with natural wood floors and accents, sage green will infuse your home with the beauty of nature. 

Benjamin Moore says greige represents the best of both worlds in the neutral color category, as it's a sleek combination of both beige and gray. Not only will it maximize the feeling of space in your entryway, but it is incredibly versatile, too. There are many shades on the greige spectrum, and each will appear differently depending on the lighting. Consider giving your paint color a reflective finish like satin or eggshell to enhance light in the space. Revere Pewter, one of Benjamin Moore's most popular colors, is a balanced greige shade that works well in an entryway.

Many believe that light colors are the best way to make spaces feel bigger, but some experts say that dark shades do not necessarily have the opposite effect. Dark colors, especially paired with light contrast shades, add visual intrigue and depth, making the space appear larger. In your entryway, using a dark color as an accent wall directly opposite the front door could create the illusion of a bigger space. Deep blue, such as Naval by Sherwin Williams, makes a statement in an entryway and creates a calming atmosphere; add reflective gold accents for an elegant touch.

Like buttercream yellow, blush pink is a whimsical alternative to light neutral shades that can visually open up an entryway. It works particularly well in bright spaces with windows and natural light. Combined with off-white or even a darker contrast shade such as taupe or gray, light pink can add a touch of elegance to your entrance. Hint of Pink by Benjamin Moore is a tried-and-true paint color that makes small spaces appear lighter. Paint the ceiling a slightly lighter shade, such as Shell Pink by Benjamin Moore, to visually extend the height of the room.

Peach paint can bring the vibrancy of burnt orange and terracotta to your space with the soft elegance of light pink. Raleigh Peach by Benjamin Moore is one of the brand's go-to choices for creating a light and airy atmosphere in your entryway, a quality that will instantly make the space seem spacious and expansive. Soft peach tones are both timeless and sophisticated while still being uplifting and welcoming. Plus, they go with a variety of other pigments. Consider pairing it with coral, pastel blue, and gold to create a coastal sunset-inspired color palette.