In my house, growing up, there was an oak-framed mirror by the front door. It was a famous last stop for everyone in my family before we left the house: Without thinking, we “checked ourselves” in the mirror before heading out. Hair, teeth, outfit… check.
When Chris and I moved into our first apartment, a thrift store mirror was one of our first installments — right by the door. We didn’t really have an entry in that first apartment, but that mirror created one for us. It’s always been more of a final touch-up before leaving, though — so is it an entry… or an exit mirror?
Architectural Digest: Peter Estersohn
Regardless, I cannot sanction an entry without one. Sure, you might need a fashionable bench for everyone to take off their boots. Or you might get all heart-eyed about stylish sideboard, and start mood-boarding about how you’re going to layer it with a gorgeous vase and some unique art — and a mirror! Trust me: It’s a crucial game-changer. An entry-maker.
It doesn't need to be full-length! Mine never were. (Though now that I'm digging through inspiration, this sounds like a space-doubling, show-stopping idea.) Mirrors look stylish and stately waist-up — or just framing the face. You truly can't go wrong.
Above is our current entry and In dreaming up our future space, I've gathered a couple of foyers I would rush back to every day. (Some real stunners — eek! How will I ever decide?!) And scroll down to a round-up of mirrors that know how to make an entrance ;)
McGee & Co.
One King's Lane: Jessica de Ruiter
Stacked! Are you in love?!
As you can see mirrors and entries can come in all different sizes, so I listed the size (and price) below the roundup. Who's the fairest of them all? You decide!
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I love a mirror by the door. We have a seasonal we put up around Christmas that looks like it has frost on it and says Let It Snow. And then a friend of my husband made a frame for us that contains a big My on the middle and our last name along the side. We plan to stain it and then have a mirror cut to size. Then it will hang there the rest of the year.
One of the best decisions I made when moving into our house a couple years ago was purchasing a shoe cabinet for our entry. You would never know it was meant for shoes. It’s vertical, has a drawer at the top (for little things you want close by when you leave)
There are many narrow shelves inside to hold over a dozen pairs of shoes or boots. I took out the top shelf to make room for my purse or taller things.
I have a lamp and a couple decor items on top and a mirror behind.
It’s actually very pretty especially after I changed the knobs on the drawer and cabinet to square Asian inspired ones.
No matter what, there would always be shoes inside the doorway and it looked messy. Now we still have the shoes nearby but you don’t see them!
Some of us have to be quite careful of mirror in our entries for security reasons. We have panes glass doors, and a mirror would allow anyone standing at the front door full view of our living space. I like the idea a lot, but it's not always practical. You should think through what sight line you might be providing before hanging a mirror.
The way you set up these links with the prices and sizes visible is a dream. Thanks for putting in the extra work!
Joann Store has a great 20” round mirror on sale right now for $40.00.
Vote for full length mirror! We don't wear our shoes in the house so it's handy to be able to check shoes with outfit too before I leave. Loved the look of the stacked mirrors and they would work for that too!
Thank you so much for putting the dimensions in the links. It’s little things like that, the attention to detail and helpful hints that make following you icing on the cake.
Happy to help all I can!
Thank you so much for including the dimensions with the links. It saved me so much time not having to click on each link to see if the size was appropriate for my space. You are awesome Julia!
Any tips on making the entrance to your home feel more like an entry when it...isn't really? Ours is just like oh hey you're in the kitchen now ????
Hooks and a small mirror would do wonders
And maybe a small wall shelf as a catch-all for like keys and stuff? (to go with what Julia added!)
Love this, and have always used a mirror at the entry for the same reason! I'm absolutely swooning over this roundup of arched mirrors! (p.s. I think you mean "installation" instead of "installment"?)
You read my damn mind. An entry mirror is EXACTLY what I’m searching for right now!! Thank ya ma’am
Love the inspirations! Also Wondering if you are concerned about loosing so much of the natural light in the entry way as a result of closing off all the open space with walls? You must already have a bit of ann idea of how it will feel with the new walls up???
There's a huge doorway leading into the music room with a straight opening right into the new dining room that's covered in glass doors. So lots of light. But more importantly--our new front door (sharing that soon!) is gonna let the light pour in!
Thanks for the great round up AND for listing the price next to the link. Very helpful.
Yes, yes! Mirrors are a necessity! I love the entryway with the two mirrors and green door. So uniques and pretty!
Any tips on how to add a mirror to a very narrow and long entryway? It just kind of feels like a hallway but I want it to feel more welcoming. No room for any furniture, just wall decor.
Are capsule shaped mirrors having a moment or is it just me? Either way, I am SO here for it.
Ohhhh, love love love the stacked idea. But I’m thinking stack 2 half round mirrors with a shelf between them over that iron and leather bench from CB2. I love the feather sconces from that inspiration photo as well, such a statement!
My grandma always had a mirror by her exit doors - called it her lipstick mirror so she could do one last coat of lipstick before she left :)
That first inspiration photo is gorgeous!! I want to move into that front entry.
Love a good mirror in an entry! Saves me from so many embarrassing "you have pen on your face" moments before heading out the door.
Ooo - have you done a free test by moving down the gorgeous arched mirror from your bedroom for a minute?
Great idea!!!!