High impact entrances - 10 decor tips

An impressive entrance will realise a higher selling price. You can achieve this relatively cheaply with paint, columns, mini-landscaping and clever lighting, so pile on the style.

1. Use greenery. It always gives a room a lift. Display in contemporary glass vases or chunky baskets.

2. Think big! One oversized piece, such as a giant chair or mirror, has more impact than a medley of smaller ones.

3. Choose a theme and follow it ruthlessly in the space for maximum effect.  In the photos below oriental, colonial and botanical themes were used.

4. Be brave with colour. You can’t afford not to if you want to create a lasting impression. To link one space to another, reflect the tones in adjoining rooms and repeat colours and patterns by re-covering cushions or turning a blank space into a feature wall to continue the theme.

5. Show your personality. Display items that you really love. Seeing the quirky clock and cushion cover (below right) – wouldn’t you like to meet the person who lives in this space?

6. Scent your home, especially if your property is on the market. Use scented candles, diffusers, essence sticks or perfumed crystals. Choose fresh or earthy fragrances rather than sweet.

7. Use natural floor coverings such as sea grass, hemp or sisal to provide a neutral backdrop.

8. Lighting really is the key. Lamps create mood, complementing light from chandeliers and standard lamps. Think of lights as accessories. Unless you want to cast dramatic shadows, use frosted globes.

9. Make the most of what you have and be creative. Even if you’re on a shoestring budget and don’t have a proper entry hall, you can still wow visitors.

10. Introduce rhythm by repeating design elements. If you group similar ornaments or plantings, stick to odd numbers.

 In the photos below, the repeated cushion  and coffee table shapes (left) and line-up of shutters (right) introduce rythm.