Ultimate Guide to Entryway Paint Colors
Finding the right paint colors for your entryway is key to setting the tone you want for the rest of your home. Read on for guidance on selecting entryway colors and a selection of ten excellent options worth considering.
Five Factors to Consider When Choosing Paint Colors for Entryway
1. Lighting Conditions
If your entryway gets lots of daylight, almost any color will work. (North-facing entryways tend to get cooler light, which can make colors look bluer.) For an entryway with limited natural light, consider lighter paint colors to help the space look brighter and more open.
2. Size and Layout
For a smaller entryway, light and airy colors are great for making the space look larger. For a bigger entryway, going with a darker hue can add a touch of drama while making the area feel more inviting. If your entryway is more like a hallway, contrasting wall and trim colors can help give the space definition.
3. Desired Mood
Keep in mind the kind of atmosphere you want to create in your entryway. Whether you’re going for something light and welcoming, bold and striking, or timeless and elegant, paint color will be key to helping you achieve the right tone.
In general, blues and greens tend to be more calming, warm yellows add a cheerful vibe, earthy tones add a grounded sophistication, and blacks and other deeper colors are best for adding a bit of drama.
4. Flow to Adjacent Rooms
Consider the colors in rooms that connect to your entryway. You’ll want the color of your entryway to be complementary, whether by matching or creating contrast.
5. Durability and Finish
Since entryways are high-traffic areas, it’s usually best to choose a paint finish that’s easy to clean, such as satin or eggshell. You can go with a flat finish if you prefer—just be prepared to make occasional touch-ups.
Matching Entryway Colors and Decor
Along with the factors discussed above, you’ll also want to consider the other design elements that help define your entryway. Take these steps to make sure the finished space feels cohesive and looks its best.
Work With Your Existing Style
If your entryway features more traditional decor, consider warm neutral paint colors like beige, cream, or muted greens.
For more modern decor, you might want a crisp white, pure black, or something bolder like a deep navy or charcoal.
For a rustic interior, earthy tones like greige, warmer whites, or sage green work well, while lighter blues, beiges, and airy whites are better suited to coastal styles.
Of course, this can work the other way around. If you haven’t decided on your entryway’s style, you can choose paint colors first, and let them guide your choice of decor.
Coordinate with Flooring and Furniture
Warm wood floors pair well with creamy whites or soft grays, while darker woods look great with lighter walls.
For tile or stone, look for colors that echo the tone of the flooring. You can do the same with furniture, rugs, curtains, and art, choosing a color that draws out certain tones in the decor.
Sampling colors is key to getting all this right. Luckily, there’s an easy and mess-free way to do that.
Sampling Colors With Samplize
Our large-format peel-and-stick paint samples make it simple to find the perfect colors for your entryway. Here’s how it works.
1. Explore the Possibilities
Start by going here and browsing our huge collection of paint colors from leading brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams. You can also choose favorites from our curated recommendations below. Place your order today, and your samples will arrive on your doorstep tomorrow.
2. Peel and Stick
Every one of your samples will be painted (not printed) with two coats of real paint, so you’ll be able to really see how each shade actually looks in your entryway. Make sure to test one sample in an inconspicuous spot on a wall first (maybe behind a door or in a corner) and then feel free to apply them all.
3. Choose With Confidence
Take your time to note how each color behaves in various lighting conditions. Turn the lights on and off. Draw and then open curtains. Wait for sunrise, midday, and sunset. Note how each color complements flooring, furniture, fixtures, etc.
Think about the mood you’re going for, and how each color will make family, friends, and you feel as you enter and exit the home. If after all that you still haven’t found your ideal color, just repeat these easy steps until you do.
10 Great Entryway Hallway Paint Colors
Below are some excellent colors from leading brands. Click on any of them to add a sample to your order.
1. Alabaster — A soft off-white that brightens and warms any space—perfect for seamless transitions.
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2. Snowbelt — A crisp white with a subtle green undertone—pairs beautifully with natural wood.
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3. Koral Kicks — A gentle pastel coral that adds a playful and welcoming vibe.
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4. Functional Gray — A neutral gray that adds understated sophistication to a variety of decor styles.
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5. Gossamer Veil — A light, dreamy neutral that’s perfect for elegant entryways.
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6. Deep Forest Brown — A rich brown that’s great for anchoring and defining an entryway.
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7. Tricorn Black — A pure black that’s ideal for adding a touch of drama.
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8. Naval — A deep blue that is both bold and calming.
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9. Tamarind — An earthy brown that creates a warm and grounding atmosphere.
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10. Chestertown Buff — A rich honey color tone that’s equally energetic and cozy.
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Ready to Start?
With the steps and tips above, you have everything you need to find the paint colors that will help you create your ideal entryway atmosphere. Get started right here.
