Italiano
Français
Deutsch
Switzerland
Among the most interesting yet often overlooked rooms in the home is the entryway . Why should we give this space more importance? Think about it: it's the first room guests and residents see and use every day, so it should be welcoming, always tidy, but also functional and well-maintained. Beyond shaping guests' first impressions, the entryway plays a key role in everyday functionality, providing a place to put down bags, put on and take off shoes, and store coats and accessories. Entryway seating plays a crucial role in making this area not only more practical but also aesthetically appealing.
A well-designed seat—whether a bench with storage or a simple stool—transforms this passageway into a welcoming and tidy space. The seat isn't just a convenient place to put on or take off shoes: if equipped with a hidden compartment, it also becomes a functional container for accessories, such as gloves, scarves, or bags, thus helping to keep the entryway perfectly organized.
Choosing a space-saving seat for the entryway means integrating form and function, choosing an element that serves both as a comfortable support and as a storage space, and that helps maintain order, welcomes with style, and instantly makes the entrance to your home more attractive.
The right entryway chairs can transform the livability of this space, making it not only more welcoming but also practical. Let's look at a few examples.
A bench with storage space or drawers allows you to easily store shoes, bags, gloves, and hats, eliminating clutter and simplifying small tasks, including tidying up after returning home. Sitting down to put on or take off shoes, put down bags, or even organize groceries becomes much easier. Seating facilitates these tasks in often limited and cluttered spaces. Space-saving solutions —such as benches, compact ottomans, or stools—allow you to utilize and enhance even small entryways or hallways without obstructing passage. This optimizes circulation and keeps the space organized.
Simply put, a seat at the entrance to your home can double as a place to put mail, keys, or groceries, thus adding to the practicality of the area. Last but not least, choosing materials, colors, and small details that blend with the style of the home helps create visual continuity and make this space even more beautiful and welcoming, without sacrificing practicality .
The Vittoria chair by Ingenia features a lacquered steel frame , while the seat and backrest are padded and can be upholstered in a variety of finishes to suit your taste, style, and practical needs. A comfortable chair with an elegant and refined design, it's perfect for the entrance hall, even in a minimalist setting.
In general, entryway seating plays an important role not only in the functionality of the space, but also allows us to create a warm and welcoming environment. A welcoming seat transforms the entryway from a simple passageway to a space where you can stop, rest for a moment, or calmly prepare to go out . This visual and practical comfort makes guests and everyone else in the home feel immediately at ease.
The choice of natural materials like wood, soft fabrics for cushions and padding, or warm colors helps create a more intimate and pleasant atmosphere, where seating becomes a welcoming and embracing element with style and harmony. Seating also allows you to express your taste and style right from the first space, conveying care and attention to detail.
When the entryway isn't very large, choosing the right seating can make the difference between a functional space and a cluttered, cluttered one.
Benches with storage are a true classic for modern, uncluttered entryways, and are the perfect solution for those seeking aesthetic comfort and practicality. They serve a dual purpose: on the one hand, they provide a comfortable seat for putting on or taking off shoes, and on the other, they allow for space organization thanks to built-in compartments for storing shoes, bags, or accessories. Modular systems are also available that allow you to combine benches with shoe racks, coat hangers, and shelves, making the entryway highly functional and customizable.
The colorful and elegant Puffoso bench by Bontempi features a solid steel frame, while the seat is padded and can be upholstered in a variety of materials and finishes. It's perfect for furnishing and elegantly defining even the simplest of spaces, such as a passageway.
Folding stools are among the most practical space-saving solutions available. They can be added when extra seating is needed and then easily stored behind a door, inside a closet, or in a corner. They are available in a variety of materials, from metal to wood to plastic. In the entryway, they can be used as a seating surface or to store bags without sacrificing aesthetics or space.
The Piegami folding stool by Cipì is made of teak and is ideal for a variety of uses: you can put it in the shower or take it with you for a picnic on the beach. Despite its lightweight design, it offers high load-bearing capacity and stability, making it ideal for small entryways or multipurpose spaces.
Seating with shelves is an increasingly popular solution today due to its comfort, practicality, and sophisticated design.
Ideal for entryways that need to hold everyday items like bags or shoes, they can be positioned under the seat or to the side, providing space for books, boxes, baskets, or shoes—essential for maintaining order and practicality in the entryway. A well-organized shelf allows for order without the need for additional closed compartments, leaving everything you need visible and accessible, always within reach.
How can you add elegant seating to your entryway without sacrificing space and practicality? Multifunctional seating , such as storage benches, ottomans, or benches with built-in shelves and drawers, is one of the best solutions for small spaces. They offer not only a place to rest your feet, but also hidden storage for various items, keeping the space tidy and in step with modern living needs . One tip is to opt for seating with a compact, linear design , such as armchairs with slender legs that visually lighten the space. One idea, as we've seen, is to add folding stools or chairs because they can be easily stowed away when not in use and, thanks to their sophisticated design, help make the entryway look refined whenever they're in use.
Then enhance these spaces with sophisticated details. A quilted ottoman, a velvet seat, or a vintage-style piece can become true focal points of the entryway, immediately catching the eye.
A comfortable, compact, soft-touch pouf upholstered in fabric and featuring a sturdy metal frame. Available in warm orange, a trending color for several seasons now.
The aesthetics of seating are crucial when looking for comfortable and practical solutions to furnish a space with limited space, such as a small entryway. The materials must withstand daily use while also contributing to creating light and airiness in the available space.
Painted metal frames, preferably thin ones, are ideal for entryway benches and stools because they combine sturdiness with a light visual impact, creating a sense of spaciousness and airiness. Metal pairs well with light or natural wood tabletops—like oak or ash—which add warmth and a welcoming feel without weighing down the space. Of course, you can also opt for wooden seating, a solid, visually light material that adapts to a variety of styles and aesthetics. Rattan is also perfect for furnishing entryways with a boho, natural, or rustic feel.
We also recommend poufs and upholstered seats in easily washable and stain-resistant fabrics . Neutral colors like beige, light gray, or dove gray maintain a sense of light, while velvet details or intricate textures lend a sophisticated touch to even the most minimalist seating.
When it comes to design , clean, geometric lines are the most recommended, so it's best to opt for chairs with thin, slender legs and minimalist shapes that help avoid overwhelming the space . It's also important not to overlook details, because a decorative accent like tufted buttons or contrasting stitching can transform even the simplest chair into an original element, maintaining a perfect harmony between functionality and aesthetics throughout the room.
The Inès stool is a reinterpretation of 1950s-style seating with its soft, contoured shapes. The all-metal frame elegantly and lightly supports the seat and backrest. The rounded, welcoming lines are inviting.
To furnish and, in general, create a harmonious and functional entryway, seating must complement all the other decorative elements in the space, such as mirrors, coat racks, and console tables. Seating, whether storage benches, ottomans, or small armchairs, should not be thought of simply as a comfortable surface, but as a true focal point that can define the style of the space. Good design always begins with a coherent style, color, and finish .
Mirrors are valuable allies, especially in small entryways, as they amplify the perception of space and light. Pairing a seat with a full-length mirror or a composition of smaller mirrors creates a striking point of interest. For small entryways, round or minimalist mirrors hung above the bench create a sense of lightness and rhythm, especially if framed with a matching material.
The choice of coat rack should be functional and consistent with the overall style. A wall-mounted coat rack, perhaps with built-in shelves, is ideal for narrow entryways and pairs well with seating with storage underneath, maximizing the available space. If the style is classic or shabby chic, a wooden or wrought iron coat rack can be paired with a wooden bench and soft cushions to create an even more welcoming and lively atmosphere.
A light wood coat rack pairs perfectly with a bench in the same tone, while a model with wall hooks lightens up small spaces by exploiting the verticality of the walls.
Finally, we move on to the console table , a versatile piece that offers a place to place keys, mail, and decorative and designer items. The combination with the seat depends on the desired style. In a contemporary and colorful entryway, a floating console table, or perhaps one with a glass top, pairs well with a simple seat like an ottoman that can be stored under the console itself.
For a more sophisticated touch, pair the console table with a velvet seat. If space permits, opt for a modular console table with drawers and a built-in bench to create a complete, space-saving furnishing solution. Add small, matching accessories, such as coin trays, table lamps, or storage baskets.
When decorating a small entryway, it's best to focus on elements that amplify the perception of space and increase its brightness. Choosing light, neutral colors is essential because these shades reflect both natural light and that from lamps, making the room appear larger but also airy. To maximize this effect, pair light colors with reflective materials such as mirrors. Glossy surfaces like the glass of a console table, chromed metal elements, or glossy lacquered finishes also help diffuse light, making the entryway even more appealing.
Another tip is to alternate smooth surfaces and different textures to add movement to the space, preventing it from appearing flat or monotonous. An example? Choose a bench with clean lines, featuring a quilted velvet seat in a neutral color. Don't forget to add a decorative touch, like a matching cushion on the seat.
