Fun Summer Back Entry with Vintage Finds

Do you have a small entryway? Even if you have a small space, you can still decorate it with big style. These creative entryway decor ideas will greet you with nostalgic vintage style.

Do you have a small entryway? When you’re space challenged, you may think you can’t decorate to reflect your style. But you can! It just takes a little creative strategy. Today I’m sharing our very small back entry to show you that you can have big style even in a small space. Hope this Fun Summer Back Entry with Vintage Finds challenges you to personalize your entry!

Today’s post is part of our monthly Pinterest Challenge series, where Cindy from County Road 407 chooses a photo and a theme to design around. From one picture, you’ll get all kinds of ideas! Today’s theme is an entry/foyer summer tablescape.

If you’re visiting from Thistle Key Lane, welcome! I’m sure you enjoyed Michelle’s coastal cottage entry table. I love her creativity and style. I’ll have links to the rest of the ladies’ inspiration at the end.

The Inspirational Pic & Design Cues

This month’s inspirational pic actually comes from the Instagram of Adored House. It’s a small entryway that is still big on style.

Because I live very far from the ocean, coastal style isn’t huge in my home decor. Once in awhile I indulge in seaside dreams like last summer’s Coastal Themed Decor in my buffet. Much of the coastal look is in the living room this year. But the back entry is in the kitchen; our front entry is only for deliveries:( So…I’m going to give this challenge a totally different look, using the same elements, but with a different theme.

Design Cues:

• Large architectural style piece as focal point (mirror here)
• Shelf as mini tablescape
• Chair (to put your shoes on)
• Color cues from art
• Hooks (needed for small space entries)
• woven accents
• hydrangeas-the perfect summer flower
• a bit of “life”-personal photos
• Glass pop bottle with flowers
• board and batten backdrop, stairway

Luckily our back entry fit the bill for this challenge. It’s small, right next to the stairway to the basement. It has hooks for the wide variety of coats we need in MN. It has a shelf way up high so I can indulge in seasonal styling. And a 1/2 shelf to disguise my sink dirty dishes from guests dropping by (yes, I designed it for that purpose). We always have a chair there, and it has beadboard paneling. Here’s my version of the Pinterest Challenge this month.

Fun Summer Back Entry with Vintage Finds

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In a Small Space, Add Vertical Interest

Even if you’re space challenged, you still have walls! Add big style by hanging a big architectural piece as your focal point. A while back I scooped up an antique Victorian screen door at an estate sale for $15. I’ve been giving it a refresh so it could hang in our back entry for all the red-themed holidays. It was the perfect wow piece to start out the entry.

I had a feeling my Upcycled Old Wagon Shelf would fit perfectly in the big open area. And it is perfect! Yes, I hung the door upside down (as Mr. Fix-it pointed out). Because you can do whatever you want when it comes to decorating! It looks better upside down:) And you know that’s how I roll.

I hung a wall basket with faux summer flowers and one of my DIY No Sew Scrap Fabric Flags. And then I had way too much fun with the wagon shelf. Remember that little Coke bottle with flowers in the inspiration pic? Yep…I ran with that theme. And just so you know, in Minnesota…it’s pop. And we grew up drinking the high fructose corn syrup laden stuff in glass bottles. It was great:)

I’ve been collecting colorful old pop bottles for awhile, because they’re so fun to decorate with in the summer. Years ago I picked up 2 cases of the striped pop shoppe bottles in a curbside pile; someone didn’t return them, I guess. Instead of flowers, I filled the bottles with faux succulents; I love the look. This scene just puts a smile on my face every time I walk in.

Shop vintage pop bottles HERE

Add a Small Sitting Perch to Your Entry

If you have the space, a small spot to sit in the entry is ideal, even if it’s a little stool. I picked this vintage wooden spindle chair from a curbside pile because it needed some repair. We glued it up, cleaned and waxed the wood, and stapled on a church sale coffee bag for graphic punch. It’s so comfortable, we use it all the time.

{see “Recent Thrifted Finds (and my plans for them)” for my curbside haul}

(you can find the cute pillow covers HERE)

Add Personality with a Fun Area Rug

I still love the scalloped edge jute rug I got awhile back. It adds so much personality and charm to this small space. And because it fills the whole area, it makes it look more spacious. (find the scalloped rug HERE)

The thrifted vintage floral curtains are a favorite year round. I love how the sunshine streams through them. They match the bright painted aqua door (which could use a fresh coat). An old curbside dresser is essential for small space organization. Keys, shoes, bug spray and everything essential fills the drawers. An old wooden screen door was found curbside and made to fit. I love the old fashioned clap it makes when shut.

Small Space Decor Styling on Shelves

If you don’t have enough space for an entry table (or dresser), incorporate a shelf in your entry. You can have fun styling a small seasonal vignette that will welcome your guests (and yourself).

My summer kitchen is farmyard themed, so I love to enjoy my concrete chicken on this 1/2 wall. I also placed a green 7 up bottle in an old box I refreshed. The colors pair perfectly. Anyone else ready for sunflowers? I love them in late summer.

Small Space Decorating Ideas

An old crib spring hanging in our back entry allows me to switch up seasonal decor without putting more holes in the wall. I simply use s hooks to swap up decorations.

For late summer, I’ve got old children’s books illustrations of farmyard animals. The vibrant colors set the theme and coordinate with my kitchen decor. (“Colorful Summer Kitchen with Vintage Finds”)

Apples, sunflowers and blue jean pocket garland (“Simple No Sew Jean Pocket Garland”) transition from summer into early Fall. Pop crates and pop bottles fill the display shelf for up-high interest.

Add a Little Life

Every vignette is more interesting if you add a little “life”. Figurines of animals, bugs, birds and people adds whimsy to all the inanimate stuff. I tucked in a cute statue of two little girls on a summer day and also a cute little mouse sitting on a chunk of cheese.

That’s a lot of decorating packed into a small space! Obviously if you’re space challenged in your entry, you can still give it your personal style. Just use the vertical spaces in creative ways.

For more Pinterest Challenge inspiration, visit Sonata Home Design next. Missy has styled a lovely, welcoming tea party on her entryway table.

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