This entryway update was done in a Chicago apartment, and it made a bigger difference than I expected. The space was narrow, poorly lit, and usually the first thing people complained about when walking in.
Before photo – dark and plane entryway.
The plan was to repaint, replace the light fixture, and add a small shoe bench. During painting, I realized the wall had more dents than I thought, so I spent extra time filling and sanding. That wasn’t part of the original plan.
During renovation – painting and wall prep.
Once the new light was installed, it completely changed how the space felt. I did install the bench slightly off-center at first and had to move it after stepping back and noticing it looked odd.
After photo – bright, clean entryway.
The finished entryway isn’t perfect. One patched spot is still visible if the light hits it just right, but overall it’s cleaner, brighter, and more welcoming.
If you’re in Chicago and thinking of an easy before-and-after project, the entryway is a great place to start.
Honest Reflection
Small spaces show mistakes quickly, but they also show improvements fast.