If you’ve been following along, it’s been a few weeks since I started this entryway refresh as my first project of 2022, and I’m super excited to finally reveal how this space turned out! But first, here’s a recap of what we’ve done so far as well as links to the supplies used for this entryway refresh. I started by painting the entryway (including our stairwell) and building a console table! Next, I built and upholstered a pair of ottomans, and I couldn’t be happier about how they turned out! So what’s left to finish up this space? Glad you asked! I added picture frame wall trim to the walls, painted the inside of our front door, stained the console table (finally!), added a gallery wall, and did final styling. Okay, let’s get to it!
Since the entryway is a really narrow, small space, I wanted to keep the wall trim really minimal so it didn’t take up more space visually or make it feel even smaller – if that makes sense! Before I started I tested out some templates using my trusty painters tape (if you’re not doing this before you start a project, you’re totally missing out!). Even though ‘traditional’ wall moulding spacing is supposed to be capped at about 3 1/2″, I went with 4″ spacing between the trim, walls, doorways, etc.
I cut my pieces using my miter saw at a 45 degree angle, taking the cuts really slowly to help avoid issues with the wood splitting. Before installing any of the trim, I gave all the pieces a light sand, then primed them and sanded them lightly again once dry. All of these extra steps are totally worth a polished finished product! Once ready to install, I used a 4″ x 4″ block of wood as a guide so it was a breeze to keep spacing consistent, and I used my 16 gauge nail gun with 1 1/2″ finishing nails. Always nail into a stud when possible, but when it isn’t simply alternate the direction of your nails to ensure the trim is secured properly to the wall.
The next step was to install an electrical outlet extender so I could add trim around the outlet so that the picture frame moulding had something to run into. The extenders boxes are super inexpensive and come in a variety of sizes so you can pick what works best for your project. To install the box, be sure to turn off power to the outlet by flipping the switch at the main electrical panel, then removing the plate. After that, remove the two screws that hold the outlet in place, then slide the box extender over the outlet. From there, just screw the outlet back in place! Next, install the trim around the outlet so that it extends beyond the faceplate. I simply used square wooden dowels as opposed to traditional trim since that seemed to work really well in terms of scale with the screen trim (I didn’t want to use anything too substantial). Once you know where the outlet frame should go, lightly mark the corners then nail them into place. Ideally you should prime these before they’re installed, but I did things a little out of order here haha! I primed the pieces after installed, then sanded and nail filled.
After all the trim is installed, wood fill all nail holes, sand, caulk, then paint the trim using a semi-gloss paint in the same color as the walls! I always paint my walls with an eggshell finish, but the semi-gloss paint is ideal for trim as it’s easy to clean and it makes the detail of the trim stand out from the walls!
Once the trim was done, I moved on to painting the interior of our front door! I used Behr Alkyd Paint – which is ideal for doors and cabinets – in the color Smokestack. I literally tested about 8 colors before I landed on this really beautiful greige-y tan color. I think the color is perfect and it’s such an improvement from just a plain white door!
This was a last minute addition, but I decided to also install a ceiling medallion around our existing semi-flushmount light. Depending on the ceiling medallion you get installation can vary, but for this specific one all we had to do was drill right through the medallion into the stud in the ceiling (just make sure that where you drill your holes will be covered once the light is installed). After attached to the ceiling, I primed then painted it, then reinstalled the light fixture. Since it would not make sense to install super ornate trim in our home given the overall style of our townhouse, but I think the simplicity of this particular ceiling medallion works really well!
Next up, I added a gallery wall with 9 frames. In each frame I added black and white photos from the various trips Jason and I have taken over the years. It’s such a great way to showcase special memories!
And last but not least, I finallyyy stained the console table! Staining furniture is not a strength of mine, which definitely explains why I saved this step for the very end of this project. Procrastination at its finest haha! I purchased about 10 different stains, tried several combinations, but ended up going with Minwax in the color Fruitwood, then sealed the table with Polycrilic. I was stresssssing out about the stain, but I’m so happy with how it turned out! The light, natural stain color has just the right amount of warmth to it and really helps to showcase the beauty of the woodgrain!
I could not be happier with how everything turned out, and I hope this DIY ‘Entryway Refresh’ series has helped inspire you to create a home you love, and see that even small awkward spaces (like my entryway!) can make a huge impact! Thanks for following along!
