See how a dark, dated farmhouse entryway was revived using paint, a stenciled feature wall, and smart, practical organization. This makeover brightened the space and made it feel welcoming from the moment you walk in.
A little background: when we first moved into our “Farmhouse by the Sea,” the entryway looked tired and cramped. One odd partition on the right that we jokingly called the “jail cell wall” made the space feel boxed in — so that came down as part of the refresh.
The whole hall and entrance were also covered in wallpaper — not one layer, but four. Rather than strip every layer, I painted over the wallpaper after consulting with the paint store about the right primer. Using the proper primer made painting over multiple layers possible and saved hours of demolition and repair.
After sampling many options, I initially chose White Down from Benjamin Moore. It helped, but on gray, rainy West Coast days I wanted something brighter and more cheerful — a color scheme that would lift the mood and reflect more natural light into the hall.
To bring warmth and personality to the space, I cleared the entry completely and created a feature wall. I painted the lower portion in a crisp, clean white and added a delicate stencil pattern above. The stencil introduces subtle texture without overwhelming the room, and the two-tone approach visually anchors the entry while keeping it bright.
The result is dramatically lighter and more welcoming. The stencil gives the wall visual interest and the lighter palette reflects light back into the hallway, making the whole area feel larger and cleaner.
Small details completed the look: a round mirror to bounce light and serve as a quick check before heading out, a simple table with a tailored cloth to hide storage, and dedicated spots for shoes and daily items to keep the entry organized. These modest changes combine to create a functional, pretty welcome area that suits everyday life.
Sources for this Entryway Makeover
- Bottom wall color: Behr’s Polar Bear — a soft, bright white that creates a clean base and helps reflect light in narrow spaces.
- Stencil: Nagoya (Japanese-inspired design) — stenciled in Polar Bear over the existing White Down background to add pattern and subtle texture without reducing brightness.
- Curtain: repurposed pillow cover from a major Swedish retailer — adapted into a functional window or door covering for budget-friendly style.
- Round mirror: found in basement storage originally from a popular home decor store — mirrors are an inexpensive way to enlarge the sense of space.
- Tablecloth: custom sewn from white cotton canvas to give the entry table a tailored, durable covering that hides storage underneath.
- Shoe tray: practical, easy-care tray purchased from a large retail chain to keep footwear contained and protect the floor.
- Wall art: an empty thrift-store frame paired with a sentimental skeleton key — a personal accent that adds history and warmth to the room.
- Fake plant and stand: added height and a touch of greenery without maintenance, chosen from a discount home goods store.
- Light fixture: clearance find from a national home improvement store — replacing outdated fixtures with a simple, brighter light improved the space immediately.
- Bicycle on the wall: a meaningful, memorable gift that doubles as art — the mounted bike creates a playful focal point and reflects personal style.
Practical tips from this makeover: always prime well when painting over wallpaper or imperfect surfaces; test paint colors at different times of day to ensure they read as you expect; use a feature wall or stencil to add interest without committing to bold wallpaper; and plan storage first so the entry stays tidy. With a few thoughtful choices, even a dark, dated farmhouse entry can become bright, functional, and full of character.