Whether your front door opens into a grand, classical entryway (dreams!) or right onto the dark corner of the kitchen (reality), that will be the first place your guests see in your home. Also: You. It will be the first spot that greets you after work in the evening. “Even small foyers are the first impression," says interior designer Peter Dunham, who advises a bold look for this part of your home even if it isn't exactly large, or isn't even technically its own room. "Small foyers give one an ideal situation for high-carat impact... that will easily make up for any lack of space by being luxe and special." The following small entryway ideas—and the perfect products to see them through—will turn your non-foyer into a pleasant entryway no matter what its size or scale. Discover 12 ways to make a great first impression, even if all you have is a blank wall by the door.

1. Mount wall hooks.

Having a hook for your guests' outerwear—and, okay, your own sopping wet raincoat—will make them feel as if you've actually designed the space with their arrival in mind. Just take the time to find the stud before mounting them; you don't want these falling off the wall when you pile on the coats!

2. Pull up a small chair or bench.

Even a wee bench, pressed up against the wall by the door, will suffice. As would a single chair—the idea is just to carve out a spot for your guests to take off their shoes when they enter or plop down their purses. Minimal square footage required.

3. Try a wall covering.

As a way to define the space and strengthen those first impressions, "don’t clutter the space with anything extraneous, but do use a large-scale geometric or boldly colored chinoiserie wallpaper on the walls and ceiling," Peter advises. "If the budget is tight, paint [it] a bold color. If you're in a quandary as to what shade, do what Helena Rubinstein did: She went to her closet to look for a color she loved, cut a square from a Schiaparelli coat, and instructed David Hicks to match the walls.”

4. Define the space using a rug.

Especially if you're dealing with a foyer that's really just the wall of another room, setting down a rug in that area will make it feel like a unified, separate entryway. (Note to self: Get one that's easy to clean!

5. Hang a floating shelf.

A floating shelf is perfect for dropping keys and stacking mail without taking up any floor space at all. Find one with built-in hooks or install your own underneath to make the most of your wall space.

6. Yes to a statement lighting fixture.

As designer Phillip Thomas once told us, "a large light fixture can make a room feel larger and taller." A bold pendant or modern chandelier also makes a memorable—and bright—first impression.

7. Paint the door a bold color.

The entryway of designer CeCe Barfield's Gramercy Park home is restricted to a door at the end of a long hallway, because there's really no room for other furniture because of the way the hall's designed. To define and draw attention to the space, she painted the door a bright green. You could do the same!

8. Add a small console table.

If you have a wedge of floor space, consider placing a petite console table or chest in the entry. Find one that has storage, or utilize the area underneath to stash shoes, bags, and all those other things you tend to trip over on your way out the door.

9. Bring in extra storage.

If you find the floor near your front door cluttered with shoes, bags, and umbrellas, reclaim the space with storage specifically suited to holding those items.

10. Hang a mirror.

A mirror by the front door is not just for checking your outfit on your way out the door. It can also help make the space feel bigger and brighter, which is especially helpful if your entrance is far from natural light.

11. Find a mail sorter.

One of the biggest entryway pains has to be the ever-expanding pile of mail you're confronted with, which is why a handy-dandy sorter is such a good idea.

12. Bring in plant friends.

Add some life to your entry with a plant or two (or three! or four!). Choose a colorful planter or plant stand to make more of an impact, either to sit on the floor or be hung up on the wall.

Source: architectural digest