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!
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.